Holmes County Trail receives funding for resurfacing project
The Holmes County Park District recently announced it has received funding for an upcoming repair project for a 3.8-mile section of the Holmes County Trail.
For two decades the Holmes County Trail has become a widely utilized form of transportation for walkers, bikers and buggies among the Amish community.
With that popularity comes use, and with use comes wear and tear.
But fear not. Help is on the way.
The Holmes County Park District recently announced it has received funding for an upcoming repair project for a 3.8-mile section of the Holmes County Trail, aimed at improving safety and the overall trail experience for all users.
The Ohio Department of Transportation announced the park district received $800,000 for the project with 80% from Federal Transportation Alternatives Program and 20% from the Federal Safety Funds, all available in state fiscal year 2028.
The repair project will begin at the intersection of County Road 192 in Holmesville and extend to the Sterling Road in Fredericksburg.
Originally constructed 2006-07 with partial repairs in 2014, this heavily traveled stretch has experienced significant surface wear, particularly from the unique traffic it supports including bicycles, pedestrians and horse-drawn buggies. This resurfacing effort addresses pavement issues such as cracking and depressions caused by heavy traffic.
“There’s a lot of work that needs done on that stretch of the trail,” said Jen Halverson, Holmes County Park District director. “With the important role the trail has taken on in our community for many reasons, that is going to be money well spent.”
Halverson said maintenance is an ongoing effort, and the county has worked to repair a variety of stretches multiple times over the years.
She said this particular piece of the trail is in dire need of repair, with orange spray paint marking many cracks and potholes along the way.
“The wear and tear are a good thing because that means people are using the trail,” Halverson said. “We are very grateful for this grant because this issue definitely needed addressed.”
The projected goals of the resurfacing project include grinding and repaving of both pedestrian/bike and buggy lanes, new asphalt over significant stretches of the trail, a double chip seal for the buggy lane to withstand high horse traffic, and resurfacing and repair of four trail bridges.
This project will preserve the trail’s role as a multi-modal pathway designed to allow all types of travel from bikes to walkers and buggies. The trail is a vital transportation corridor, connecting residents to most of Holmes County while providing a safe and scenic view, all without the need for motor vehicles.
There also are several other trail projects. The main update includes ongoing construction of approximately 4 miles of trail between Glenmont and state Route 520, to be opened later this summer.
In addition, there is a repair project from Millersburg to Killbuck estimated to start later this summer, as well as construction of 3.5 miles from state Route 520 to Killbuck, projected to start summer 2026.
There also is a planned repair project from Holmesville to Fredericksburg slated for late 2027.
Halverson said she and the board are eager to see that stretch of trail near Glenmont and Killbuck completed because it will mark the connection of the trail that traverses through Holmes County.
“We’ve made a lot of progress in that stretch, and we are excited that they are nearing the time when they are putting asphalt down near Glenmont,” she said, adding that before that can happen, fencing and railing need to be put in place.
She said next summer will be equally exciting when they begin the same process along the trail from state Route 520 back to Killbuck.
“It will be nice to have it all done,” Halverson said.
She also said they continue to receive positive comments from people who utilize the trail and appreciate the ease of which bike and buggy travel is now compared to prior to the trail when traffic had to travel on busy county and state routes, which created a much more dangerous form of travel.
She said the trail has had the successful impact they had hoped for when it was built more than two decades ago, both in terms of travel and recreation.