In November, the Bluffton Lions Foundation announced the extension of the Lions Way Bike and Pedestrian pathway on County Line Rd. from the intersection of College Ave.-Bern Rd. to Jefferson Street-State Route 103. The new 1/3 mile segment will be constructed in 2022.

Pathway construction will follow an AEP pole replacement project scheduled in advance of June 1, 2022.  Site engineering, including rights-of-way and power pole relocations with AEP have been completed, at no cost to the pathway project. Detailed engineering projections put the cost at $150,000.

New pathway segment partners

Three donations presented in November are key to funding this new pathway segment:

• The Findlay Hancock Community Foundation, $75,000
• Bluffton Hospital, $10,000
• Citizens National Bank, $5,000

The $75,000 contribution is a responsive grant approved by the foundation’s board of trustees. Kimberly Bash, Chief Community Engagement Officer for the Findlay-Hancock Community Foundation, noted, “This project aligns with multiple Community Foundation priorities. It supports activities in Hancock County that are outside of the city of Findlay, and it provides residents with a safe and affordable mode of transportation and way to be active, which are critical components of the Community Health Improvement Plan.”

By completing sections of the overall Pathway Master Plan on a yearly basis, substantial progress toward pathway goals is being accomplished. When segments are transferred to the Village of Bluffton, which maintains the pathways, they are paid in full.

Locations

This County Line Rd. segment will end near the entrance to the Triplett Pathway which starts at College Avenue and goes under I-75. This provides residents and visitors in Bluffton with pedestrian and bike access to Village Park, avoiding higher speed traffic and an overpass shared with cars.

An adjacent 2023 street and sidewalk project for Jefferson Street/SR 103 will connect with the County Line Rd. segment. The SR 103 segment is expected to be placed by the Village and ODOT along SR 103 in 2023, connecting existing routes to the restaurants and businesses located near I-75.

The 2021 pathway system provides a total of eight miles of safe, scenic, and appealing bike and pedestrian pathways to residents, businesses, and visitors to Bluffton. The eventual goal of the Pathway Board, the Lions Club and Foundation, and the Village is to serve every subdivision in Bluffton with safe bike and pedestrian routes. The master plan encircles the Village and connects all of Bluffton to the six major recreation areas.  

Contributions are deductible for tax purposes to the full extent provided by law.  For additional assistance or questions, please contact Dick Ramseyer, President of the Lions Foundation at 419-358-0713, or email Dick at [email protected].  Contributions can be mailed to Lions Foundation, P.O. Box 223, Bluffton, Ohio  45817.