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Knox County parks official outlines trail repaving, data‑collection rollout and levy planning
Summary
Dave Hitehouse told commissioners the Kokosing Gap Trail is slated for 13 miles of milling and repaving under a 2024 TAP grant, the park district will deploy 11 data‑loggers across 35 miles of multi‑use trail, a failing culvert requires a costly repair, 25 hellbenders were released as part of a conservation partnership, and the parks board is considering a replacement levy.
Dave Hitehouse, speaking for the park district, gave commissioners a detailed update on trail projects, habitat work and near‑term funding plans.
On trails, Hitehouse said the Transportation Alternatives Program grant awarded in 2024 cleared engineering and that bids should be sought early next year. "So that is a complete repainting of the Kokosing Gap Trail... so that will be from Mount Vernon Avenue to the terminus in Danville" for approximately 13 miles, he said, and the work window would be May through September to allow contractor flexibility.
Hitehouse said the district has 11 data‑logger units to measure counts and direction of travel, and that data will be pushed to the cloud and made available to local partners. "We're just gonna spread them out as evenly as possible," he said, adding that the chosen devices measure counts (not bike vs. pedestrian) to meet budget constraints.
Infrastructure concerns include a sinkhole east of Updike Road on the Heart of Ohio Trail where a 60‑foot cut‑stone culvert is failing; the district estimates a significant repair is needed and that grant hunting may be required because the project could be a six‑figure replacement. As an interim measure Hitehouse suggested a heavy asphalt patch for safety until funding is secured.
On conservation, Hitehouse said the district participated in an Ohio Hellbender partnership and released 25 captive‑bred hellbenders into suitable habitat; the animals have RF tags and will be monitored, though longer‑term survival rates are expected to be modest. He also described vandalism and suspected arson at Honey Run Highlands where a permitted hunting blind was burned and trail cameras were taken; the district is discussing additional trail camera deployment to help identify perpetrators.
Hitehouse said the park board has received a deed from the governor for 165 acres north of the Mount Vernon Developmental Center and is working with ODOT on an access permit that would create a 30–40 car crushed‑limestone lot. Looking ahead, he said the park board is discussing pursuing a replacement or new levy; under the current interpretation the earliest feasible ballot placement would be November 2026 and the district is considering a target in the 0.35–0.5 mill range to secure operations and add staff.
Hitehouse asked commissioners for input and said the park board will keep the county informed as plans and budget details are developed.
