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New Franklin event officially dedicates newest stretch of Ohio & Erie Canal Towpath
By Bill Lilley
Beacon Journal staff writer
Published on Saturday, Sep 20, 2008
NEW FRANKLIN: The hikers and bikers who for the past two months have been enjoying the newest stretch of the Ohio & Erie Canal Towpath Trail across PPG Industries property didn't need to be told what it means to outdoor enthusiasts.
But just in case anybody might have missed the point, local government officials and representatives from Metro Parks, Serving Summit County, and PPG got together Friday morning to officially dedicate the area's newest playground.
''This really is a wonderful quality-of-life enhancement for the people of Summit County,'' said Jim Carpenter, chief of operations for
Metro Parks.
Added Dan Rice, president of the Ohio & Erie Canalway Coalition: ''We are celebrating something today that will be here 100 years from now. It's here for many future generations to enjoy.''
Construction of the 1.1-mile stretch of towpath between Vanderhoof and Eastern roads began last fall and was completed early this summer. The trail opened to the public in early August.
Friday's dedication took place at the trail entrance off Vanderhoof.
''We just had a few things we had to finesse before it was totally completed,'' Carpenter said. ''Besides that, Sept. 20 is the second anniversary of the dedication of the southern section that goes from Vanderhoof to Center Road. The date worked really well the way it fell.''
Bill Lynch, senior remediation engineer for PPG, didn't mind the wait.
''It's just great to see such a wonderful project complete,'' said Lynch, who coordinated with Metro Parks officials on several areas, including design, routing and construction.
When complete, the trail will stretch 110 miles from Cleveland to New Philadelphia. Work is mostly finished in Summit and Stark counties.
One aspect made the work on this stretch of trail unique.
''One of the really different things about this project is it features a private company [PPG] and a government entity working together very, very well,'' said Keith Shy, director of Metro Parks. ''PPG has given back a lot to the community by allowing us to be guests on their property.''
Attention will now focus on extending the trail from Eastern Road in New Franklin to Snyder Avenue in Barberton.
''There are a few hang-ups that need to be resolved before they decide which direction they are going to go,'' Carpenter said, referring to issues with the city of Barberton and a railroad that need to be ironed out.
''We are hoping that that section and everything else in Summit County will be completed by 2010. That would give us 50 miles of biking and hiking trails in Summit County.''
Bill Lilley can be reached at 330-996-3811 or blilley@thebeaconjournal.com.
NEW FRANKLIN: The hikers and bikers who for the past two months have been enjoying the newest stretch of the Ohio & Erie Canal Towpath Trail across PPG Industries property didn't need to be told what it means to outdoor enthusiasts.
Get the full article here.
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