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Tag Archives: oh-northeast
Tallmadge Public Meeting Report
Posted by on January 23, 2009
I attended the public meeting last night in Tallmadge, Ohio for the proposed Freedom Secondary Trail. Representatives for MetroParks Serving Summit County were there to answer questions, along with DLZ, the engineering and design firm working with the parks on the project.
I was told that they would consider the meeting a success if they had at least 50 people attending, but by the time I arrived at 5:50pm, they estimated that they already had over 60! There were detailed engineering drawings of the entire new trail, which showed a few different options where the final trail routing has not been determined. A running slide show illustrated the current location and conditions along the proposed trail corridor. The representatives were eager to hear feedback from attendees.
A decision on the final trail routing is expected some time this summer. With design and engineering work beginning immediately after that, actual construction will probably begin some time in 2010. The project will include rehabilitation work on the currently existing Tallmadge Rail Trail.
Volunteers needed for Stark County Park District
Posted by on January 18, 2009
From Ohio.com:
The Stark County Park District is seeking volunteers to join its Trailblazers group. The volunteers cover 60 miles of park trail, including 25 miles of the Ohio & Erie Canal Towpath Trail.
To get an application and arrange an interview, contact volunteer coordinator Jennifer Martin at 330-477-3552 or go to http://www.starkparks.com/volunteer_program.asp. Interviews will be conducted through Jan. 30.
Five training classes covering first aid, bicycle repair, park history and regulations, and communication skills will be offered on five dates in February and again in April. Volunteers are asked to work at least 32 hours a year.
Public meeting for new bike trail near Tallmadge
Posted by on January 16, 2009
Metroparks Serving Summit County is holding a public meeting on Thursday, January 22 from 5:00 to 7:00pm at the Tallmadge Community Center, 80 Community Drive, Tallmadge, Ohio 44278. The meeting will be in an open house format, where visitors can see graphic displays, talk to park staff and consultants, and make comments.
The proposed new trail, dubbed the Freedom Secondary Trail, will start at the Portage Hike and Bike Trail in Kent, connect to the Tallmadge Trail, and continue west to the Ohio & Erie Canal Towpath Trail. A possible spur will connect to the Metroparks Bike & Hike Trail in Munroe Falls.
This post is a summary of information from an article by Stephanie Kist in the West Side Leader.
Akron to put more safety ambassadors on the streets, on foot and on bikes
Posted by on January 16, 2009
Phil Trexler of the Beacon-Journal reports that the city of Akron will be expanding its downtown safety ambassadors program. The program has been active with three staff members since its inception in 2000, but will be expanded to nine, with funding for the program being provided by the Downton Akron Partnership and the Metro Regional Transit Authority. The ambassadors wear bright lime-colored shirts for easy identification, and are charged with offering to help visitors and workers with directions or other assistance, and also pick up trash and weeds. They are provided with cell phones to alert city police of any potentially dangerous situations.
Bike lane leads to new office park in Wooster
Posted by on January 9, 2009
Bryan Schaaf of The Daily Record reports that work is progressing on the reconstruction of Secrest Road on the south end of Wooster, Ohio. The work is being done to facilitate access to the BioHio Research Park.
Along with 4,000 linear feet of new road surface, the project also includes 8,000 feet of sidewalk and a bicycle path. It’s good to see that the planners of a new development like this were foresighted enough to consider bike and pedestrian needs.
Brunswick seeks funds for bike trails
Posted by on January 7, 2009
According to a post by Melissa Martin on the Cleveland.com blog, the city of Brunswick’s Green Advisory Group is seeking funds to build hike-bike trails. The goal of the new trails is mainly to connect existing trail systems in Medina County, link the county’s trails with neighboring trails in Lorain, Summit, and Cuyahoga counties, and expand the area’s Safe Routes to School.
Community Meetings on Cleveland West Shoreway Improvements
Posted by on January 7, 2009
Please join the Ohio Department of Transportation (ODOT), the City of Cleveland Planning Commission and Ward 13 Councilman Joe Cimperman for a public meeting to review the proposed redesigned plan for the West Shoreway, also known as the Connecting Cleveland: The Waterfront District Plan. The proposal is working within a finite budget of $49.8 million that includes Route 2 improvements, entrance and exit ramps, and greater lake access via bike trails. The most important component for Ohio City are redesigned exit and off ramps for Route 2 from West 25th and West 28th Streets to enhance pedestrian and vehicular safety, aesthetics, and development opportunities.
Public Meeting # 1:
- When: Wednesday January 7, 2009 at 5:00 pm
- Where: The Lakeview Terrace Community Center, located at 1290 W.25th Street, just north of Division. Parking is available on the street only.
Public Meeting # 2:
- When: Wednesday January 7, 2009 at 7:00 pm
- Where: The Lutheran Hospital Auditorium (The Castele Learning Center), located off the Spine & Arthritis Center Building entrance that faces Fulton Road just south of Franklin Blvd.
- Parking: There is ample, free parking at the Lutheran Hospital lot at W.28th & Franklin (enter off W.28th Street, just north of Franklin)
For more information on the plan please go to www.innerbelt.org and select the “Lakefront West” logo.
Cleveland Metroparks Zoo to expand bike parking
Posted by on January 7, 2009
From ClevelandBikes.org: The Cleveland Metroparks Zoo will be installing racks for 350 bikes at the Zoo entrance, hopefully in time for spring and Earth Day. The racks will be located in the Hippo Lot, just behind the main ticketing booth. ClevelandBikes has been pleased to offer bike parking with the Ohio City Bicycle Co-Op during EarthFest at the Zoo and have urged that more bike parking should be a permanent element at the zoo. This is an exciting project. ClevelandBikes has also pointed out to builders and developers that cycling makes good business sense, providing credits for sound environmental design and construction. The Zoo, which shares the commitment to environmentally sound design practices, will use the bike parking to meet LEED certification in the design/construction of the new elephant exhibit area, which will quadruple the space for African Elephants, a site to be open in 2010 or 2011.
Thanks and so long, Greg Bachman
Posted by on November 19, 2008
Greg Bachman was appointed as Summit County Engineer in 2003, and ran unopposed for re-election in 2004. As an avid cyclist, he did his best to consider the needs of bicyclists as part of his County Engineer duties, such as making sure that several recent road improvement projects included widening of the shoulders. He also led group rides at different locations around the county throughout this past summer.
He was defeated in this month’s election by Democrat Alan Brubaker. Was it mainly due to the current anti-Republican backlash, or is there more to the story? Please comment on this post if you have any insight. Either way, we appreciate the efforts of Greg Bachman to promote cycling in Summit County, and hope that his work will serve as a platform for continued improvements in the county, as well as the state.
Alan Brubaker has a campaign web site, and his Position Statement page lists “Added emphasis on pedestrian and bicycle facilities” as a main bullet point. The Platform page lists “County Improvements,” and every one of the bullet points there makes some mention of cycling, walking, and/or “multi-model” transportation. So it looks like at least from a promise standpoint, Mr. Brubaker will continue the good pro-cycling work of Mr. Bachman.
"Sharrows" on Akron streets
Posted by on November 14, 2008
According to this article in the Akron Beacon Journal on Oct. 28, new symbols painted on the streets are causing confusion among drivers. That’s exactly the point, many people think, as confusion leads to discussion, and discussion leads to awareness. Throw your helmet into the fray in the comments section at the bottom of the article. The current opinions run the usual gamut, from “Way to go!” from the pro-cycling crowd, to some who think it was a good idea but maybe not worth the $30,000 price tag, to the usual “Why don’t they ride on the sidewalks?” from the anti-cycling crowd. What do you think?
