Metroparks, Maumee join for trail in Side Cut
6/5/2014
Deer trots across a pathway at Side Cut Metropark in Maumee
THE BLADE
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The Metroparks of the Toledo Area board has agreed to join the city of Maumee in the design and construction of a paved multi-purpose trail near River Road in Side Cut Metropark.
The park board signed an memorandum of understanding on Wednesday to collaborate with Maumee on the two-mile trail that will provide access to the Wabash Cannonball Trail through a separate trail and the pedestrian bridge over U.S 24.
Maumee City Council signed off on the partnership on May 5.
Metropark and Maumee officials said the partnership began months ago when the park district learned about the city’s desire for the paved trail.
“I think they were doing a paved shoulder on River Road. We came to them with a suggestion that we work in partnership and use the same infrastructure and put the trail off the road and go through the park,” said Dave Zenk, Metroparks deputy director.
Joe Camp, Maumee’s director of public service, said the project grew out of concern for the safety of walkers, runners, and bicyclists who use River Road for recreational purposes.
“We know it is getting used more and more by bicyclists and runners,” he said. “We need to have a safe path because the road is narrow.”
According to preliminary plans, the trail will begin at Ford Street on the north side of River Road and continue west into the Side Cut, where it would enter into Metropark property, go under the I-475 bridge, and enter the meadow area of Side Cut Park. The trail will end at Jerome Road.
An existing paved trail in the meadows area will give users access to the foot bridge over U.S. 24, which will provide a route for bicyclists to get to the Jerome Road entrance of the Wabash Cannonball Trail.
The memorandum of understanding calls for Maumee to pay for the estimated $600,000 cost to construct the trail and the park district to pay for the design, surveying, and construction drawings of the path.
Upon completion, the Metroparks will be responsible for the maintenance of the trail.
Mr. Camp said the project could go out for bids in August, with construction beginning in the fall or early next spring.
The Metroparks board also approved a contract with Marko Demolition and Crushing LLC of Genoa, Ohio to demolish the old Toledo House of Correction near Whitehouse.
The firm’s bid of $276,819 was the lowest of eight proposals submitted to the park district.
Mr. Zenk said the tearing down of the building is scheduled to begin this month and should be completed by Aug. 31.
Contact Mark Reiter at: markreiter@theblade.com or 419-724-6199.