Ross County – The ailing “Paint Creek Recreational Trail” is nearer to full repairs. The Ross County Park District spoke with the Ross County Commissioners in their last session about a grant that is paying for preliminary work.
The district is responsible for the paved rails-to-trails path outside of the City of Chillicothe within Ross County. Extreme stream erosion at three spots on the trail has been a major concern, but the trail remains open.
Erin Stanley of Project Development and Grants Coordination in the Ross County Park District spoke with the commissioners. She said the district is in contract with an engineer to do survey and geotechnical work to make plans for the erosion sites. She said they hope to get a bid out so work can be done sometime in the middle of 2025.
Stanley said they also plan to apply for more funds from the “Transportation Alternatives Program” (TAP) from ODOT for the next critical spots, but that grant funding would not be available until 2028.
She also said the district is planning a public session to provide information on the next stage for the trail.
Hear Stanley in her own words in the below interview video. Learn more about the trail on its webpage and Facebook page.
Events on it are planned by the Tri-County Triangle Trail, and they have a website and Facebook page.
The cycling, running, and walking Paint Creek Recreational Trail is about 33 miles long, connecting Chillicothe, Frankfort and Washington Court House. It is mostly built on railroad beds and bridges of two B&O divisions that were abandoned in the 1980s.
The Ross County Park District hosted a public meeting in June of last year to outline their short- and long-term goals for the rec trail. The district has a webpage with documents on trail work.
