Bike and walking trails are becoming more and more popular in northwestern Ohio. Area trails range from as short as 4 miles all the way to 76 miles in length. Thanks to the continuing efforts of the Bluffton Bike and Pedestrian Pathway Board, Bluffton may soon join the list of communities boasting these recreational gems.

Background for Bluffton's project

Bluffton's vision for a bike and walking trail is relatively new. The committee's goal is simple, yet ambitious: Encircle Bluffton with a pedestrian and bike pathway.

The goal's achievements occur one step at a time. The impetus launching the project began with a challenge picked up by Dick Ramseyer, president of the Bluffton Lions Club from 2008-10.

"The Lions District Governor challenged the Bluffton Lions Club to initiate a community project," said Ramseyer, who heads the board.

"That was the spark that drove our club to develop two signature programs. One was a funding source, which became the Bluffton Lions Foundation's charity Corvette raffle," said Ramseyer. "The other was a community improvement project, now known as the Bluffton Pedestrian and Bike Pathway Project."

In the fall of 2009, the Lions pledged $4,500, over half of the money needed, to fund a Bluffton pathway study. In March of 2009 Bluffton council held a pedestrian -bikeway master plan hearing.

The committee includes Ramseyer, chair, with Greg Denecker, Dima Snyder, Jim Harder, John Rich, Laura Voth, Fred Steiner and ex-officio member Jamie Mehaffie, village administrator.

What a biking and hiking path means to a community

Community-organized bike trails serve various functions in addition to local recreational purposes. Communities with bike trails promote them in a range of ways from promoting tourist all the way to attracting persons to purchase homes in those communities.

These trails represent a vital part of a much larger vision for the supporting communities. That vision includes bicycle advocacy for bike-friendly communities, recreational and commuting opportunities, trail networks, preservation of green space, eco-friendly and energy efficient transportation and healthy living.

Communities with biking and hiking paths

Several bike and walking trails are in Bluffton's own backyards. Examples include:

Blanchard River Greenway - 5.7 miles of asphalt. It is part of the Old Mill Stream Parkway in Findlay. The Greenway includes picnic sites, playgrounds, recreational open space and other features. The trail connects a network of river parks and sites along the Blanchard.

Ottawa River Bikeway and Rotary River Walk - 7.3 miles of asphalt and 3.4 miles of an asphalt connector to Lima. The Walk, located in Shawnee Township and Lima, is part of the Lima Parks and Recreation Division and the Johnny Appleseed Park District.

Slippery Elm Trail - 13.9 miles of asphalt. The Trail followed an abandoned railroad from North Baltimore to Bowling Green, The Wood County Park District is the Trail's caretaker.

The Tallgrass Trail - 12 miles of asphalt when completed. The Trail, in Marion County, is currently being developed.

The Wabash Cannonball Trail - 43 miles of bikeway, 22 miles of which are paved. The Trail is expanding into a 63-mile bike and walking trail. When completed it will cover Lucas, Fulton, Willliams and Henry counties.

The Celina-Coldwater Bikeway - 4.6 miles of asphalt. The trail, in Mercer County, parallels an existing railroad.

The Miami and Erie Canal Towpath Trail (southern portion) - 55 miles of crushed limestone. The path takes bikes and hikers from Delphos to Piqua through Allen, Auglaize Shelby and Miami counties. A northern portion covering 10.1 miles of dirt, gravel and concrete covers an area in Wood County, which connects the communities of Providence and Waterville.

The Little Miami Scenic Trail - 76 miles of various pavements. The Trail winds along the Little Miami River through wooded countryside and through communities. The trail passes through Yellow Springs, Xenia and Waynesville before reaching downtown Milford.

These examples demonstrate how northwestern Ohio communities have caught the bike and hike bug. To view an even larger biking and hiking picture of the Buckeye State, several Internet sites show state-wide trail maps. Simply Google "Ohio Bike Trails," for a starting point.

This is the third in a series of features on the Bluffton Pedestrian and Bike Pathway Board.

Click here for previous stories.