Connections and the Transformative Power of Trails

The Ohio to Erie’s path to its future embraces the evolving view and role of trails.

Challenging your view of trails

In 2018, I joined the Ohio to Erie Trail board of directors. I had been an avid user of the trails for 10 years. The trail's primary focus, consistent since its inception in the early 1990s, was to build a non-motorized, off-road trail across the state.

When I joined the board in 2018, 80% of the trail was off-road. Eight years later, this figure has increased to 90%—great news! I am pleased to tell you that work is currently underway in the remaining sections. We are closing in on being the off-road vision of the early 1990s.

There has been a fundamental shift in our understanding of trails. While building miles of asphalt and limestone was once the primary focus, we now recognize the importance of building connections and growing interconnectivity.

The Ohio to Erie Trail embraces this vision, connecting not just the path, but the network of people, businesses, and communities along its route. We are here to support you on your journey along our network of trails across Ohio.

The Ohio to Erie Trail is a world-class connected multi-use trail network encouraging all to discover the unique experiences of Ohio. The trail provides adventure, tourism, health and well-being, recreation, and connections to nature and history. – Vison of the Ohio to Erie Trail

A new vision for the trail

Shortly after becoming president, I challenged the board to review our mission statement, as we were nearing the completion of building Ohio's off-road trail. A new mission reflecting the trail's expanding connections justified a more strategic approach to guide the trail’s future and impact.

This strategic planning began in mid-2023 and continued throughout the remainder of the year and into early 2024. Board members uncovered the pieces supporting our new mission in many meetings. We aimed to create a document that would not sit dusty on a shelf but a living breathing guide to the future.

In 2024, the board shifted its focus from the vision to achieving its mission. We engaged in a comprehensive process of identifying key strategic priorities and developing goals for the next four years to bring our vision to life.

The Ohio to Erie Trail’s mission is to promote, preserve, and enhance a network of regional trails linking communities across the state from the Ohio River to Lake Erie. – Ohio to Erie Trail Mission

Writing the trail’s next chapter

The core of our mission lies in building and nurturing connections. This is achieved by focusing on our strategic pillars: support, connect, advocate, and sustain. We strive to reach out to our partners, communities, and trail users, fostering strong relationships and inviting everyone to join us in our efforts.

The Ohio to Erie Trail is a collaborative effort, built and maintained by 20+ trail organizations, park districts, and municipalities. Our role is to foster partnerships with these organizations that support visitors and showcase their communities as premier trail destinations.

We are committed to supporting our partners in enhancing the trail experience. A key initiative in progress is a grant program to assist with building trail amenities, ensuring a safe and vibrant trail, and closing remaining gaps. We strive to be a dependable engaged partner to make the Ohio to Erie Trail a world-class destination.

Connecting with trail visitors is crucial for our organization. The Ohio to Erie Trail serves a diverse audience, including everyday commuters, recreational cyclists, hikers, and bicycle tourists. It offers an escape from the demands of daily life, providing opportunities for outdoor exploration and freedom from the hustle and bustle of everyday life.

More miles and connections translate into more opportunities. As the trail expands, it connects more neighborhoods, towns, and cities. This fosters exploration beyond the trail, encouraging visitors to explore downtown for food, drink, shopping, local history, and the flavor of the community.

Many Ohio to Erie Trail communities embrace the principles of 'trail towns,' welcoming visitors with open arms and providing the services and amenities they need. Trail towns recognize the value trail visitors bring to their community. They strive to create a culture that welcomes and embraces visitors.

The benefits of trail towns are not limited to visitors. Revitalized downtowns, growth of the local economy, and improved access to outdoor recreation contribute to a higher quality of life for residents. Investing in outdoor recreation enhances the physical and mental well-being of the entire community.

A key strength of the Ohio to Erie Trail lies in its status as one of the nation's largest connected trail networks. Spanning 326 miles, it offers a unique opportunity to traverse the state of Ohio diagonally, from the Ohio River to Lake Erie.

The Ohio to Erie Trail is a destination for adventure, offering a variety of experiences for all types of travelers. From week-long cycling tours to weekend getaways and day trips, the trail caters to a growing number of adventurers. The diversity of Ohio provides unique and changing landscapes and communities.

The Ohio to Erie Trail prioritizes an exceptional visitor experience. Our board actively seeks innovative solutions to enhance this experience. We currently provide visitor-focused web resources for trip planning. We support trail visitors with both print and mobile device resources. We are committed to continuous improvement and adding tools that enhance the visitor experience.

While unseen by visitors, advocacy is vital for the Ohio to Erie Trail. The board is dedicated to strengthening its advocacy efforts for trails, natural resources, tourism, and the outdoor economy.

This advocacy involves educating trailside businesses about the economic opportunities presented by the trail and advocating for government policies that support trails, outdoor recreation, and the outdoor economy.

A commitment to transform

I often use the word 'transformative' to describe the impact of trails. While they undoubtedly contribute to individual health and well-being, the transformative power of trails extends beyond the individual.

When speaking to community groups, I emphasize that trails are more than a place to enjoy the outdoors. The Ohio to Erie Trail, and trails in general, have the potential to transform communities, benefiting residents and businesses alike. Community members must prioritize their support of trails.

Our elected leaders must recognize the transformative power of trails. Investments in outdoor recreation, health, infrastructure, and active transportation demonstrate an understanding of this value. It is crucial to continue educating these leaders about the trail’s role in our society.

Join us in our work

Achieving these goals requires significant effort. While the Ohio to Erie Trail spans 326 miles, our organization is relatively small, with a part-time director and an 11-member governing board.

Understanding the importance of expanding our impact, we are looking for dedicated individuals to join our board of directors. If you share our passion and have the skills that align with our mission and vision, we encourage you to apply.

Our web-based portal offers a detailed overview of our strategy, as well as the roles and expectations of board members. Applications are open through February 2025.

The video that led to this post

Arriving early for a trail meeting in Uptown Westerville earlier this week, I recorded a spur-of-the-moment video of my thoughts on the future direction of the trail. The video lacked the depth I desired. This post is an expanded version of that video, a more comprehensive overview of recorded words.