Phase one of all-purpose trail well underway
Construction expected to finish in June; phase two to begin in July
This rendering shows the phase one extension of the Cleveland Metroparks all-purpose trail from Brecksville Road to Broadview Road, which should be completed in June. Submitted photo
NORTH ROYALTON – Construction is well underway for phase one of the Cleveland Metroparks’ all-purpose trail, meaning it’s one step closer to becoming a reality in North Royalton.
Construction for the extension of the all-purpose trail and the bridle trail, beginning with phase one, began this past fall and will pick up again in the spring with a completion date expected sometime in June.
While phase one rests entirely within the boundaries of Brecksville and Broadview Heights, it does bring the all-purpose trail that much closer to the North Royalton border.
Phase one of the project will span 3 miles, connecting the existing trail at Brecksville Road to Broadview Road along the Valley Parkway.
“It’s definitely underway and will be ready for a good part of the summer,” Community Development Director Tom Jordan said.
Construction of phase two, another 3 miles of trail, is expected to begin in July where phase one leaves off but will not be completed until fall 2018. It will continue on from Broadview Road to Ridge Road, completing this long missing link.
In both phases, the bridle trail will be relocated from the south side of the Valley Parkway to the north side, and the 10-feet wide all-purpose trail will be laid to the south.
This missing 6-mile gap, when filled in by these two projects, will provide residents complete access to the Cleveland Metroparks from the marina in Rocky River all the way to the national park near Brandywine, Jordan pointed out.
“The all-purpose trail is the most heavily used feature in the Cleveland Metroparks by our residents. This extension will further enable our residents to take advantage of this great amenity that’s right next door,” he added.
Ward 6 Councilman Dan Kasaris, an avid runner and sidewalk advocate, said he cannot wait to use the trail.
“Finishing the all-purpose trail is another feature in the cap for our city, and, with CEI agreeing to finish the sidewalk on Ridge Road, residents will have a safer way to recreate,” he said.
Sean McDermott, Cleveland Metroparks chief planning and design officer, said the parks is pleased with the progress achieved last year and is looking forward to this year’s strides.
“In 2017, we look to complete construction of phase one and commence construction on phase two. With each milestone, we take one step closer to filling in this missing link of the Emerald Necklace.”
To fund phase one, the Metroparks secured $889,000 in funding through the Northeast Ohio Areawide Coordinating Agency’s Congestion Mitigation and Air Quality Fund; $400,000 from the Clean Ohio Trail Fund; and $100,000 from the city of Brecksville.
As for phase two, the Metroparks was awarded $500,000 from the 2015 Clean Ohio Trail Fund; $50,000 from the city of North Royalton and $100,000 from Broadview Heights.
The remainder of both phases will be paid by the Metroparks, a total of $1.8 million out of pocket for this combined $3.8 million project. The Metroparks’ share will be funded via its capital improvement budget, though the parks continue to seek grant funding to offset costs.
Construction for the extension of the all-purpose trail and the bridle trail, beginning with phase one, began this past fall and will pick up again in the spring with a completion date expected sometime in June.
While phase one rests entirely within the boundaries of Brecksville and Broadview Heights, it does bring the all-purpose trail that much closer to the North Royalton border.
Phase one of the project will span 3 miles, connecting the existing trail at Brecksville Road to Broadview Road along the Valley Parkway.
“It’s definitely underway and will be ready for a good part of the summer,” Community Development Director Tom Jordan said.
Construction of phase two, another 3 miles of trail, is expected to begin in July where phase one leaves off but will not be completed until fall 2018. It will continue on from Broadview Road to Ridge Road, completing this long missing link.
In both phases, the bridle trail will be relocated from the south side of the Valley Parkway to the north side, and the 10-feet wide all-purpose trail will be laid to the south.
This missing 6-mile gap, when filled in by these two projects, will provide residents complete access to the Cleveland Metroparks from the marina in Rocky River all the way to the national park near Brandywine, Jordan pointed out.
“The all-purpose trail is the most heavily used feature in the Cleveland Metroparks by our residents. This extension will further enable our residents to take advantage of this great amenity that’s right next door,” he added.
Ward 6 Councilman Dan Kasaris, an avid runner and sidewalk advocate, said he cannot wait to use the trail.
“Finishing the all-purpose trail is another feature in the cap for our city, and, with CEI agreeing to finish the sidewalk on Ridge Road, residents will have a safer way to recreate,” he said.
Sean McDermott, Cleveland Metroparks chief planning and design officer, said the parks is pleased with the progress achieved last year and is looking forward to this year’s strides.
“In 2017, we look to complete construction of phase one and commence construction on phase two. With each milestone, we take one step closer to filling in this missing link of the Emerald Necklace.”
To fund phase one, the Metroparks secured $889,000 in funding through the Northeast Ohio Areawide Coordinating Agency’s Congestion Mitigation and Air Quality Fund; $400,000 from the Clean Ohio Trail Fund; and $100,000 from the city of Brecksville.
As for phase two, the Metroparks was awarded $500,000 from the 2015 Clean Ohio Trail Fund; $50,000 from the city of North Royalton and $100,000 from Broadview Heights.
The remainder of both phases will be paid by the Metroparks, a total of $1.8 million out of pocket for this combined $3.8 million project. The Metroparks’ share will be funded via its capital improvement budget, though the parks continue to seek grant funding to offset costs.