The Miami Valley Trails are open daily and can be a beautiful way to experience the winter outdoors. But who are we trying to kid? There isn't any way around it: the 2013-14 winter has been brutal in the Miami Valley - as well as many other parts of the United States. The National Weather Service reports total snowfall for Dayton to be 45.3 inches for this season - a whopping 28.2 inches ABOVE NORMAL through February 17th. And it hasn't just been snowy - it has been cold. Again, National Weather Service data indicate we've had over 3,100 heating degree days since December 1st - about 300 more than normal - in the Dayton area. What does all that mean? It's been cold. But if you've been out to the Miami Valley Trails, you had a chance to experience them in a whole new way. If you haven't been to the snow-covered trails, then scroll down to our little photo essay of snow pictures.
Before that, you can read up on a few other items: Centerville-Washiington Park District, Darke County and the City of Springfield were awarded Clean Ohio Grants and will be constructing new trail in the coming year and a half or so; Friends of the Little Miami State Park have secured funding for a major trail rehabilitation project; and MVRPC and partners will be releasing the 2014 Miami Valley Bikeways Guide and Map in March.
In October of 2013, the City of Springfield was awarded a $450,000 Clean Ohio Trail Fund grant through the Ohio Department of Natural Resources. The grant will help fund the construction of 1.2 miles of paved trail along the Little Miami Scenic Trail in Springfield. This project will connect one of the last remaining non-dedicated trail sections along the 100+ mile Little Miami Scenic Trail corridor that connects Cincinnati to Urbana. The first missing link that the project will connect is from the trails current terminus underneath I-70 to John Street. The second connection will be between Johnny Lytle Avenue and Fair Street. It is anticipated that the project will alleviate confusion and the common misperception that the trail ends at the Springfield limits. By alleviating confusion and providing a direct connection, it is anticipated that the project will bring more trail traffic into downtown Springfield. The project is slated to begin construction in the summer of 2016.
The same round of Clean Ohio Trail funding awarded $500,000 to the Centerville-Washington Park District to construct nearly 1.1 miles of trail along Holes Creek, including a couple of bridges and culverts. This beautiful section of trail will be part of a growing network of connections across southern Montgomery County. And not to be forgotten, the Darke County Park District aslo received $250,000 to acquire two parcels to be used for the cross county trails connecting Miami County to the Indiana State Line
Friends of the Little Miami State Park would like you to take a short survey to help them prioritize improvement projects along the Little Miami Scenic Trail. You can access the online survey HERE.
Friends of the Little Miami State Park (FLMSP) has been awarded a $150,000 federal grant from the Recreational Trails Program! Together with the $37,000 pledged by supporters, a total of $187,000 will now be invested in making significant improvements along the Little Miami Scenic Trail in Warren, Clermont, southern Greene and Hamilton Counties. These include drainage and erosion remedies and the first repaving in 25 years of crumbling sections. Planning for individual projects is underway so work can begin as soon as weather permits.
The awarding of this large grant is the direct result of the dedication of supporters of FLMSP. Last October 10, the Friends first announced this grant opportunity, explaining that it depended on $37,000 in donations to qualify for the 4:1 matching funds. On October 28, just 18 days later, they reached their goal in pledges. The response was proof that "trail people" appreciate this invaluable community resource and love to give back.
The 2014 Edition of the very popular map of the Miami Valley Trails is about to be printed. It will be available from many of our trail managing and trail promotion partners in the middle of March. The 2014 Edition is the fourth version of this map which MVRPC has been publishing every three years since 2005. As always, the map details the nation's largest network of paved, off-street trails, showing locations of access points, restrooms, and parking. New features for 2014 include 31 trail-accessible destinations throughout the Miami Valley, starting with eight sites that are part of the National Aviation Heritage Area.
Generous contributions from sponsors of the map are an important factor in keeping the map a free product. Returning as the map's presenting sponsor is Cox Media Group, and their family of stations and publications, so well known in the Miami Valley. In addition, DP&L, Inc. has signed on as a gold-level sponsor. Also returning for this edition is the Dayton Children's Hospital and the Safe Kids Coalition. Bike Miami Valley, the Dayton Cycling Club, Great Miami Outfitters and the National Multiple Sclerosis Society have signed on as new sponsors for the 2014 Edition. Please take a look at these organizations' projects and take part in their events; and be sure to thank them for supporting this very popular Miami Valley Bikeways Map.
Maybe these pictures will inpire you to enjoy your local trail the next time it snows. (You know, like, NEXT Winter!)
