New trail section paves way for riding enthusiasts in northern Wayne County
By Robin Hauenstein
June 15, 2011
397
The change of time, from late afternoon to early evening, meant a change on the trail near Rittman. As a mother and her daughter exited the trail, loading up their bikes to head home, other cyclists and walkers who were done with their jobs and daily chores began to fill the parking lot. The use of the new seven-mile stretch of paved trails in northern Wayne County runs from Creston through Sterling to Rittman and the heavy use of it has surprised the Rails to Trails organizers.
Were really seeing more action, far more action than we anticipated, said Ted Short, vice president of Rails to Trails Wayne County. The paved trail was completed in late fall of last year, and Short joked before the pavement was cooled down, people were using it. It officially opened to public use this May.
The trail, which cost a total of $2.4 million, was the collaboration of private donations, grants and ODOT monies. The idea for it was born with the gifting of 2.5 miles to Wayne County from a private donor. However, Short explained, the county didnt want to accept it unless we were willing to work with it, which we were. The process of lining up land from nine other private landholders, along with township and village approvals, took between eight and nine years, and Short said 99 percent of the folks involved were happy. The lone dissenters, he said, were people riding ATVs on private property.
The people are finding it way beyond what they assumed it would be, Short said, noting the heavy use of the trail. Many bicyclists are road riders, who come from Orrville and Wadsworth to ride the trail, along with locals from area communities, who take shorter rides and walks. Short added that many residents thought the trail wouldnt be as nice, with pavement and markers. Benches paid for with private donations will also be installed, and Short said they hope to add more markers and tables.
The Creston trailhead is just south of the Creston Police Department, on Brooklyn Street, and the Rittman trailhead is located next to the Depot restaurant, off Ohio Avenue, near the railroad tracks. A small refreshment stand has been set up near the Rittman trailhead that also rents bikes. Parking in Creston may be found on grassy areas of land owned by CSX, next to the trailhead, and in a public parking lot on the south side of the Dollar General store. In Sterling, parking is available near the intersection of CR 504 and Atlantic Avenue, as well as Kauffman Avenue, near CSX tracks.
A former B&O freight depot was purchased by Rails to Trails and moved to Sterling. A nonprofit organization of Sterling-area residents is working to secure funds to restore the depot, and use it as a community room and museum.
While the trail doesnt directly link to another trail, Short said the dream is to link Rittman with Barberton and extend the other end to Burbank and then West Salem. Those are the long-term expectations.
The trail is open to pedestrians, runners, roller blades, bicycles, and non-motorized vehicles. Later this summer, Rails to Trails officials hope to have the trail open to equestrians, with parking for trucks and horse trailers east of Sterling.
While Rails to Trails volunteers are thrilled with the positive reaction and high volume of users on the new trail, Short is worried about safety issues. He lamented that too many bicyclists, especially children, are not wearing helmets. The trail was specifically designed with safety in mind, so that those on it and motorists near it can view each other. However, Short pointed out that it appears, by the markings on the warning posts, that several cyclists have hit the posts, either by not paying attention to them, or avoiding a car. A lot of people dont understand trail discipline right now, he said, and urged anyone who was doing more than walking or running to consider wearing a helmet and to watch out for the other trail users.
