With the extended Bentley Road pathway construction on schedule, the Bluffton Pedestrian and Bike Pathway board will hold a virtual ribbon cutting at 4 p.m., Monday, Sept. 14, according to Richard Ramseyer, board chair.

Details on how to watch the ribbon cutting will be announced soon. Longtime pathway supporters John and Jenny Pilarowski will cut the ribbon officially opening the pathway. 

Once officially opened, the pathway provides a safe, off-the-road path for walkers, joggers and bikers from the west end of Riley Street all the way to the Dairy Freeze on South Main Street.

The new pathway connects to the current pathway at Richland Drive.

Pedestrian and bike count coming
Ramseyer also said that during the week of Sept. 14 to 20 there will be 27 volunteers counting pedestrians and bikers at nine locations throughout the village.

You will see many Bluffton residents parked in strategic locations around town during that week with a notepad and pencil.

They volunteer for a twice-a-year bike and pedestrian count in the village. 

You’ll find them near the Lion’s Way path on Lake Street, on College Avenue near the Triplett Bike Path, at Main and Parkview, at Augsburger and Elm Street and a couple other locations in town.

Ramseyer says that this is the ninth year for the twice-a-year count. One takes place in September, and the other in May.

Information on Bluffton bike usage and pedestrian travel goes to the Lima Allen County Regional Planning Commission. From there Bluffton stats go to state and federal agencies involved in bicycle and pathway planning.

Ramseyer said that since the counts began nine years ago bike and pedestrian traffic has increased in Bluffton drastically.