Tri‑State Trails updates Cincinnati committee on progress connecting the 34‑mile ‘Crown’ and Mill Creek Greenway

Wade Johnston, executive director of the nonprofit Tri‑State Trails, updated the Cincinnati City Council’s Climate, Environment & Infrastructure Committee on progress toward the 34‑mile Crown trail loop and on plans to advance the Mill Creek Greenway.

Johnston told the committee Tri‑State Trails provides technical assistance to local governments and community groups and has helped assemble public‑private partnerships involving the city, Cincinnati Recreation Commission (CRC), Hamilton County, Metro and Mill Creek Alliance. He said fundraising and partnerships have left only about a half‑mile segment downtown still needing grant funding and that roughly 24 miles of the Crown are effectively connected or budgeted.

"As of the end of last year, there's only a half a mile segment in Downtown… that remains to get grant funding to completely connect 24 miles in this vision," Johnston said.

The presentation emphasized four guiding goals—civic engagement, socioeconomic mixing, environmental sustainability and value creation—and highlighted the project’s focus on connecting neighborhoods on both sides of rail and highway barriers to jobs in downtown and Uptown.

Johnston described a neighborhood survey done August–November in South Cumminsville, Millvale and South Fairmount: project staff knocked on about 575 doors, collected just over 100 completed surveys (roughly a 20% response rate) and reported that 83% of respondents anticipated a positive neighborhood impact from the trail.

"Despite many people not being familiar with the Crown project, most people—83%—said that they anticipate the trail will have a positive impact on their neighborhood," Johnston said.

Johnston listed short‑term activations supported by the grant funds, including pop‑up bike shops that provide free repairs, a kayak rental kiosk at Solway Park (installed with partners including Mill Creek Alliance and the CRC), and a ribbon cutting for the Yellow Bridge Pocket Park that improved public access to the Mill Creek.

Committee members asked about comparable projects and maintenance needs. When the chair asked for models, Johnston pointed to the Atlanta BeltLine and the Indianapolis Cultural Trail as useful case studies, and said many mid‑sized cities operate connected trail networks.

On maintenance costs, Johnston cited studies such as guidance from the Rails‑to‑Trails Conservancy and offered a range: "I've heard anywhere from, like, a couple thousand to 10 to $20,000 per mile," he said, adding that final costs depend on pavement condition and the level of amenities (lighting, landscaping) that a community chooses to install and maintain.

Johnston said the question of who maintains the trail is active. He described the example of the Wasson Way and Lincoln Airport Trail being maintained by Great Parks where continuity made sense, and said Great Parks taking on additional city trails would likely require levy adjustments when their levy is next renewed in 2031.

"One example is Great Parks taking over maintenance when it's contiguous with their other assets," Johnston said, adding that such arrangements require buy‑in and funding decisions.

Several council members praised the project’s community and economic potential. Council Member Mark Jeffries pointed to quality‑of‑life and economic benefits and raised questions about financing structures (TIFs, community development corporations) to ensure neighborhood residents benefit from investment. Vice Chair Ryan James asked how the city could better partner—particularly on marketing to attract new residents and users—and Council Member Seth Walsh highlighted the improvements to cycling and walking seen in recent years.

Johnston closed by inviting committee members and the public to the Crown’s Tour de Crown bike ride on Aug. 29, starting at 50 West Brewing Company to showcase existing segments and planned connections.

The committee thanked Johnston and filed the presentation item.