OHIO TRAILS the VIS ON 2019 OHIO DEPARTMENT OF NATURAL RESOURCES OHIO TRAILS the VIS ON 2019 OHIO DEPARTMENT OF NATURAL RESOURCES Division of Parks and Watercraft —I— TABLE OF CONTENTS From Ohio Governor Mike DeWine ....................................................................................1 From ODNR director Mary Mertz ........................................................................................2 Foreword ................................................................................................................................3 Executive Summary ..........................................................................................................4 A Note From the Author .......................................................................................................6 Using the Trails Vision ..........................................................................................................7 Chapter 1: Ohio is A Trail Leader .................................................................................8 Recreational Lands .............................................................................................................10 Dedicated State Funding ....................................................................................................10 Ohio’s Diverse and Expansive Trail System .....................................................................10 Multi-Use Trails ....................................................................................................................10 Natural Surface Trails .........................................................................................................11 Motorized Trails ..................................................................................................................11 Mountain Biking Trails ........................................................................................................11 Equestrian Trails ..................................................................................................................11 Water Trails ..........................................................................................................................11 Dedication of Volunteers ...................................................................................................11 Chapter 2: Vision, Goals, Findings and Recommendations ...................................12 Developing the Vision .........................................................................................................13 Goals, Findings and Recommendations ...........................................................................16 Partnerships and Collaboration ........................................................................................17 Trail Funding ........................................................................................................................18 Trail Development ...............................................................................................................18 Marketing and Promotion .................................................................................................19 Trail Inventory .....................................................................................................................20 Multi-Use Trails ....................................................................................................................21 Natural Surface Trails for Hiking, Running, and Backpacking .......................................22 Motorized Trails ..................................................................................................................23 Mountain Biking Trails ........................................................................................................24 Equestrian Trails ..................................................................................................................25 Water Trails .........................................................................................................................26 Chapter 3: Creating the Vision ..................................................................................28 ODNR Trail Planning History ..............................................................................................29 Review of Other State’s Trail Plans ...................................................................................30 Trails Advisory Team ...........................................................................................................30 Regional Public Meetings ...................................................................................................32 Surveys .................................................................................................................................33 OHIO DEPARTMENT OF NATURAL RESOURCES —II— Summary ..............................................................................................................................33 Chapter 4: Results of Public Input Process ..............................................................34 Regional Meeting Results ...................................................................................................35 Mapping Exercise ................................................................................................................37 Trail Survey Results .............................................................................................................37 Conclusion ...........................................................................................................................47 Chapter 5: Partnerships and Collaboration .............................................................50 Opportunity for State Government Partnerships to Advance Trails in Ohio ...............52 Benefits and Challenges of Partnerships and Collaboration .........................................53 How Ohioans are Partnering to Plan Trails .....................................................................54 Conclusion ...........................................................................................................................58 Chapter 6: Funding ......................................................................................................60 Major Funding Sources.......................................................................................................62 Additional Funding Opportunities ....................................................................................65 Conclusion ...........................................................................................................................68 Chapter 7: Trail Development ....................................................................................70 Planning Trails .....................................................................................................................72 Building and Managing Trails ............................................................................................73 Conclusion ...........................................................................................................................75 Chapter 8: Marketing and Promotion .......................................................................76 Marketing Goals ..................................................................................................................78 Increase Collaboration and Access to Marketing Expertise and Knowledge ...............84 Protect the Integrity of Trail Experiences .........................................................................85 Chapter 9: Trail Inventory ..........................................................................................86 ODNR Trail Inventory History ............................................................................................87 State Trail Designation .......................................................................................................89 Chapter 10: Multi-Use Trails .......................................................................................90 What is a Multi-Use Trail? ...................................................................................................92 Description of the Existing Multi-use Trail System .........................................................92 Current Conditions .............................................................................................................97 Concerns ..............................................................................................................................97 Opportunities ......................................................................................................................99 Conclusion ........................................................................................................................ 100 Chapter 11: Natural Surface Hiking Trails ..............................................................102 What are Natural Surface Trails for Hiking, Running and Backpacking? ................... 104 Description of the Existing Natural Surface Hiking Trail System................................ 104 Concerns ........................................................................................................................... 105 THE OHIO TRAIL VISION 2019 —III— Opportunities ..................................................................................................................