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Solon approves transfer for Headwaters Connector greenway and accepts $1.5 million ODNR grant
Summary
The Solon City Council approved an assignment and transfer agreement with Norfolk Southern and West Creek Conservancy to advance the Headwaters Connector Greenway and voted to accept a $1.5 million ODNR grant for community park improvements. Council members praised staff and external partners for completing a multi-year negotiation.
The Solon City Council voted to authorize the city to execute an assignment of a purchase-and-sale agreement from Norfolk Southern Railway and a transfer agreement with West Creek Conservancy for the Headwaters Connector Greenway project. Council moved the item under suspension and carried it by roll call, with council members describing the result as the culmination of several years of negotiation involving multiple counties and partners.
At the same meeting council also approved Ordinance No. 2025-224 to accept a capital improvement pass-through grant through the Ohio Department of Natural Resources, accepting $1,500,000 to support community park and recreation projects. Council members publicly thanked State Senator Jerry Serino and credited staff and outside partners, including the Open Space Institute (OSI) and Congressman David Joyce, for facilitating progress on the greenway acquisition.
Council discussion emphasized the complexity of clearing historical deeds and coordinating among entities across three counties. Mayor Edward H. Krause, council members and staff repeatedly credited Sarah H. Castura (law department) and Maria Farley for negotiating legal descriptions and working with OSI’s railroad specialists. "Sarah, the work that you've done on this trail is absolutely unbelievable," the mayor said, praising in particular the legal and intergovernmental work that enabled the closing.
Both items were presented under suspension and approved by roll call. The council also introduced two budget ordinances (capital appropriations and personal services appropriations for 2026) but left them on first reading.
Votes at a glance: Ordinance 2025-224 (ODNR grant acceptance) — final passage by roll call; Ordinance 2025-228 (Norfolk Southern assignment/Headwaters Connector transfer) — final passage by roll call; Ordinances 2025-229 and 2025-230 (2026 appropriations) — left on first reading.
Next steps: staff indicated the property closing for the greenway is imminent and follow-up work will include finalizing grant paperwork and coordination across counties and conservation partners.
