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OSU team presents Union County trails and greenways master plan to Plain City Council
Summary
Ohio State University students and Union County Health Department staff presented a countywide trails and greenways master plan with recommended amenities, greenway protections, trail towns and suggested funding sources including Safe Streets for All.
An Ohio State University planning team presented a countywide Union County Trails and Greenways Master Plan to the Plain City Council, outlining a recommended network of trail connections, amenities and steps for incremental implementation.
The presenter said the Ohio State University Knowlton School team worked with the Union County Health Department and stakeholders to recommend consistent amenities (wayfinding signage, benches, water stations, bike repair stations and selective lighting), greenway protections for waterways such as the Big Darby Creek and Mill Creek, and the concept of “trail towns” to foster business collaborations and trail-based tourism. Candidate trail towns listed included Richwood, Magnetic Springs, Broadway, Marysville, Plain City and Milford Center.
The plan classified recommended trail types—greenways, shared-use paths, bike lanes and shared lanes—and specific southern-county connections relevant to Plain City, including a Dublin–Plain City connector via State Route 161 or State Route 42 and Plain City–Milford Center routes that could use former rail corridors. The team recommended pursuing federal and state funds, citing Safe Streets for All among possible grant opportunities and noting an implementation matrix that pairs recommended segments with likely funding sources.
The presenter described public engagement including a countywide survey, interviews with more than 20 stakeholders, and mapping of travel generators and barriers. The team asked communities to publicize the final plan, prioritize segments and identify funding opportunities; the OSU team said it would close out materials and deliver a final report and educational materials to the Union County Health Department.
Council members asked about next steps and grant options; the presenter said Safe Streets for All and other state programs were viable funding opportunities. No council action was taken at this meeting; the presentation was an informational briefing.
