A Year of Momentum on the Ohio to Erie Trail
President’s Year-End Message | 2025
As 2025 comes to a close, I am proud to reflect on the extraordinary momentum of the Ohio to Erie Trail and the people who bring it to life every day.
Our mission is clear: to promote, preserve, and enhance a connected network of regional trails that links communities across Ohio, from the Ohio River to Lake Erie. Our vision is equally bold: a world-class, multi-use trail network that invites everyone to discover the unique places, people, and experiences that define Ohio.
This year, that vision moved closer to reality because of the dedication of our partners, volunteers, local trail organizations, communities, and supporters across the state.
Strengthening the Trail: Maintenance, Improvements, and Connections
2025 was a busy and productive year on the ground. The Ohio to Erie Trail helped fund and support critical maintenance and improvement projects.
We granted funds to assist the Little Miami Scenic Trail with repairs and the Kokosing Gap Trail to prepare for future paving of the trail. We supported the completion of a vital connection on the Heartland Trail in Wayne County, a future Ohio-to-Erie Trail route that is also part of the Great American Rail-Trail. We also assisted Holmes County in advancing efforts to close the gap between Glenmont and Killbuck.
Each of these projects represents steady progress toward a safer, more continuous trail experience, one mile at a time.
Wayfinding and Navigation: Making the Trail Easier to Explore
Trail users told us they needed better tools to navigate the Ohio to Erie Trail. We listened.
In 2025, we reimagined our trail guide as a set of six detailed maps designed to improve wayfinding and highlight amenities and attractions along the route. The new maps identify trailheads with restrooms, water, and other visitor essentials. For the first time, we have added trail mileage markers on the maps.
Alongside the new guide, Ride with GPS files and interactive maps were updated to help visitors plan and traverse the trail easily on their visits. This significant work on these efforts was led by board member and dedicated volunteer Bob Niedenthal, whose attention to detail and passion for the trail make a lasting impact for visitors. Thank you, Bob, for your passion for this trail.
We also made major strides in trail wayfinding through metropolitan Cleveland. As construction continues on the Irish Town Bend section of the Towpath Trail, navigation through city streets has been a frequent source of frustration for visitors. Working closely with the City of Cleveland, Ohio to Erie Trail board members helped install 35 OH-1 directional signs along the trail and on-road segments to improve clarity and safety until the continuous trail to Lake Erie is completed. Thank you, Northern Ohio board members Mark Brown, Ken Knabe, Tim Furey, and Gary Yelenosky, for your tireless work and commitment to make this happen.
Honoring the People Who Built the Trail
One of the highlights of the year was a new partnership with Columbus Outdoor Pursuits during their Knox County Biketoberfest. The Ohio to Erie Trail partnered in funding the event and designing trail routes that welcomed cyclists of all abilities and backgrounds for a beautiful and well-attended weekend.
The Saturday ride honored Jim Buchwald, a longtime Knox County industrialist, community advocate, trail supporter, and frequent visitor. Sunday’s ride paid tribute to Ed Honton, founder of the Ohio to Erie Trail. These rides celebrated not only the trail itself, but the people whose vision and generosity made it possible. We look forward to this event continuing in the years ahead.
Staying Connected: Social Media and Real-Time Information
As cross-state visits by cyclists, runners, and hikers continue to grow, timely communication has become essential. Our social media channels and website now serve as critical tools for sharing detours, closures, and safety updates, the information visitors depend on when planning long-distance trips.
Our Executive Director, Jody Dzuranin, assured this information remained accurate, visible, and up to date throughout the year. I extend my personal thanks to Jody for her dedication and leadership in helping trail visitors. Jody will be leaving the Ohio to Erie Trail at the end of 2025 to pursue new opportunities, and we wish her every success in the future.
Looking Ahead: Priorities for 2026
In November, the Ohio to Erie Trail Board of Directors gathered for a strategic retreat to chart our course for the years ahead. Several priorities emerged for 2026:
Website and Social Media Refresh
With trail use continuing to climb, including increased interest from commercial tour operators and national and international visitors, we will evaluate and refresh our website and social media presence to ensure they are intuitive, welcoming, and reflective of a premier cross-state trail. A dedicated committee is already at work in making this happen.
Enhancing the Visitor Experience
Creating memorable trail experiences remains central to our mission. One of our favorite ways to celebrate the trail has been recognizing the joy and experiences of our visitors through the 326 Club, which honors those who travel the full length of the Ohio to Erie Trail.
This year, we will explore new ways to recognize a wider range of trail journeys, challenges defined by the experiences that matter most to each individual, whether that’s the full 326 miles or meaningful sections along the way. This work will focus on reimagining challenge programs that elevate visitors’ experiences and deepen the memories they create on the trail.
In 2026, we will explore how to better use our Ride with GPS tourism license, which is essential in planning, sharing, and promoting routes and experiences, including services and points of interest along the trail.
Trail Towns: Welcoming Visitors Beyond the Trail
A welcoming experience does not stop at the trailhead. Since 2021, the Ohio to Erie Trail has partnered with the Mid-Ohio Regional Planning Commission (MORPC) to explore the Trail Town concept in Central Ohio. In 2026, that work becomes visible.
In Central Ohio, a new Trail Town cohort program will launch with London, Westerville, Worthington, Centerburg, and Mount Vernon leading the way. Trail users will start to see and feel how these communities are embracing visitors across their trails, towns, and local businesses. This well-crafted initiative offers a strong blueprint for Trail Towns across Ohio, and we look forward to highlighting each community’s progress and stories along the journey.
Investing in Leadership
One of the most significant changes ahead is the transition from a part-time to a full-time Executive Director. As the trail continues to grow, it’s clear that fulfilling our mission requires dedicated leadership focused on turning strategy into action through close collaboration with communities, businesses, trail organizations, and government partners across the state.
To support this, the board has restructured the Executive Director role accordingly. We look forward to sharing the upcoming job posting and inviting the trail community to help us identify the right leader for this next chapter.
Strengthening relationships and building bridges
The Ohio to Erie Trail is a network of communities and partners working together across the state. This year begins a new chapter, with a full-time Executive Director and an energized board focused on deepening relationships and expanding impact. By partnering with trail leaders, tourism, and natural resource champions, we will unlock the trail’s full potential for outdoor recreation, economic vitality, and community connection and move our shared vision forward.
Closing the Gaps
While the Ohio to Erie Trail is now 91% off-road, the final miles remain some of the most challenging. In 2026, we will work with trail organizations and government partners to identify gaps and barriers, and communicate progress more clearly to the public. These gaps are actively being addressed, and it is important that visitors understand both the challenges and the steady progress being made.
Thank You and See You on the Trail
Thank you for being part of the Ohio to Erie Trail community. Whether you are riding, walking, volunteering, planning, or advocating, your support matters.
Ohio’s cross-state trail runs diagonally across the state, linking four major cities with rural towns and tracing the state’s industrial and agricultural heritage along rivers, canals, and lakes, following historic towpaths and rail corridors. It is a place where locals and visitors alike come together to experience Ohio in all its richness and diversity.
The trail does not close for winter. In fact, some of its most beautiful moments happen in the quieter months. Shake off your cabin fever with a winter hike or bike ride on the trail.
Wishing you a joyful holiday season and a happy New Year. I hope to see you on the trail in 2026.
Thanks for all the work you do on this and other trails! Wishing you and Brett a wonderful Christmas season!