THE TO ERIE TRAIL FUND 2010 ANNUAL PROGRESS REPORT

MISSION  Knox County began paving The Heart of Ohio Trail and paved 3.7 miles of the route before The Fund seeks to the onset of winter. promote, develop and establish a multi-use, non-  Delaware County added a mile of trail with the motorized, network of regional trails and greenways completion of the Hoover Scenic Trail. A bridge linking Cleveland, Columbus and Cincinnati. over Old 3 C Highway is part of the trail and is a Working in partnership and collaboration with units quite impressive structure. of governments, nonprofit organizations, elected  On the west side of Columbus, Metro Parks officials and corporations, The Ohio to Erie Trail began construction of the Trail, Fund shall provide technical assistance and completing 3.4 miles between Lilly Chapel and support for the development and maintenance of the Georgesville/Alkire Road intersection. regional trails and greenways for transportation,  In Madison County, 1.6 miles of trail right of recreational, and educational opportunities for Trail way was purchased between Wilson Road and visitors. Some of the areas of technical assistance Lilly Chapel, and will be paved in 2011. include fundraising, project management,  Clark County unfortunately chose to close The government relations, advocacy and organizational Ohio to Erie Trail because of a levy failure in development November 2010.

THE FUND FINANCIAL

The Ohio to Erie Trail Fund accomplishes The Ohio to Erie Trail fund’s income for its mission to build the Trail by raising money to fiscal year January 1 to December 31, 2010, was purchase land when no governmental agency is $104,580.65 with expenses of $71,406.91. This willing or able to quickly make acquisitions vital to includes $20,000 devoted to assisting Franklin the Trail’s progress. The fund also provides County Metro Parks with the Camp Chase expertise and encouragement to local government acquisition. and state agencies that are building and The Ohio to Erie Trail Fund is recognized by maintaining the Trail. The Columbus Foundation as a Power Philanthropy charity and eligible for planned giving. ACCOMPLISHMENTS Less than five percent (5%) of contributions are used for fundraising. In 2010, we accomplished 25 miles of improvements toward the completion of The Ohio DONATIONS to Erie Trail.  Along the Cuyahoga River, The Towpath Trail The Ohio to Erie Trail Fund received several acquired 11 acres of land, and part of the major donations in 2010. Columbus Outdoor acquisition will be for The Ohio to Erie Trail. Pursuits donated $50,000. Columbus Outdoor  In downtown Akron, progress has been made in Pursuits sponsors two major events: The Tour of completing the trail, with a tentative completion Scioto River Valley (TOSRV) and the Great Ohio date of summer 2011. Bicycle Adventure (GOBA). Columbus Outdoor  In Wayne County, Rails to Trails purchased Pursuits has supported The Ohio to Erie Trail from approximately 10 miles of railroad right of way the start and has been a major donor each year. from Norfolk Southern Railroad, which is a In addition we The Ohio tor Erie Trail Fund major increase in trail right of way. received donations from the following individuals  In Holmes County, the Holmes County Park and groups: District secured the last 4.75 miles of right of way from a private landowner so the entire American Electric Power - $5,000 route through Holmes County is now owned by Noble Foundation - $2,000 the Holmes County Park District. Tom Moffitt, PhD - $1,000 THE OHIO TO ERIE TRAIL FUND 2010 ANNUAL PROGRESS REPORT

James & Maureen Buchwald - $1,000 Thomas Wolf - $1,000 Ohio Horseman's Council - $1,000 CURRENT OBJECTIVES Patricia & Nathan Dappen - $1,000 The Ohio to Erie Trail Fund Board held a Contributions from $500 to $999 were made by: full-day strategic planning retreat in October to develop a multi-year plan. The Board determined Ellen Tripp that it is crucial to complete the final 20% of the trail Chris & Laurel Schmid and set these specific goals: Melodee Kornacker 1. Develop a plan for completing each of the Steve Schmid unfinished sections of the trail. This includes Oliver Seikel identifying the gaps that exist in the trail where Geoffrey Warthman a road route serves as an alternative until a trail Jim Schneider right of way can be secured. Westerville Bicycle Club 2. Improve marketing of The Ohio to Erie Trail Cathy & David Levy through improved website and social media presence, brochures, a printed map of the trail, Workplace giving continued to serve as a and a written history of building the cross state significant source of income for The Ohio to Erie trail. Trail Fund. A total of $18,824 was donated through 3. Develop maintenance standards for trails. Earth Share of Ohio. 4. Develop a succession plan if and when the Individual contributors were an important contracted Executive Director leaves the source of income. The Fund received contributions position. between $5 and $2,500 from 279 individuals. Most 5. Continue with the extensive project to have of these contributions were in the $25 to $100 standard signage along the entire 310 miles range. This level of commitment by a large number and apply for state/federal funding to assist. of supporters has been the backbone of the success of The Ohio to Erie Trail Fund. Note: Jerry Rampelt agreed to remain as the Executive Director for three additional years. He BOARD OF DIRECTORS has served in the position since June of 2004.

Tom Moffitt (President), Bill Daehler (Vice- THE FUTURE President), Elizabeth Watts (Treasurer), Carolyn Sullivan (Secretary), and board members William The Ohio to Erie Trail Fund celebrates its Baker, James Flaherty, Melodee Kornacker, Tim twentieth anniversary in 2011. We began 20 years McCormack, Don Noble, Dan Rice, Wayne ago in 1991 with an idea about a cross-state trail. Roberts, Jim Schneider, Steve Schmid, Sam Ed Honton traveled the State of Ohio with Speck, and Brad Westall. engineering drawings describing the proposed Jerry Rampelt is a contracted Executive route for the trail and talked with anyone who would Director who works with local trail groups in listen. He met supporters and opponents of a trail, developing plans for trails and land acquisition. He but over time the supporters increased while the also handles administrative duties for the Fund. opponents faded away. Dan Ritchey handled legislative affairs for When completed The Ohio to Erie Trail will The Ohio to Erie Trail Fund and stepped down from be the longest, off-road trail in the . those responsibilities at the end of 2010. He Two hundred years from now people will still be agreed to serve on the Board beginning in 2011. using The Ohio to Erie Trail, and that achievement will serve as a lasting legacy.