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Monday, 08 June 2009 |
By KATIE YANTIS
Staff Writer
ST. MARYS — Those who enjoy biking, running, walking and being in the great outdoors gathered Saturday at the Noble Township Hall.
In correlation with National Trails Day, a new portion of the towpath was dedicated and became part of the Heritage Trials Park District. The section begins at the hall and continues north.
“What a great trail to have, linking St. Marys to Delphos and eventually Cincinnati to Toledo, one day it will be like it was 150 years ago,” Miami and Erie Canal Corridor Association Director Neal Brady said.
Brady touched on the trail and the benefits that many who utilize it will come to find.
“So many people are here that represent and have passions for the outdoors,” Brady said. “With National Trails Day, it is a celebration of what you have here, recognizing and appreciating it.”
He said having the trail open to the community offers three things.
“Learning the outdoors, learning history and being physically fit,” Brady said. “It’s both physical and mental, to be able to get out and relax, having a trail increases the quality of life.”
Throughout the dedication ceremony, a variety of speakers made a few comments on the trail before a ribbon cutting, including Auglaize County Probate Court Judge, Mark Spees.
“It’s a wonderful thing for the people of Auglaize County,” Spees said.
He also told how the trail came about with a petition on July 10, 1996.
Other speakers at the event included Heritage Trails Park District President David Stilwell, Noble Township Trustee James Johns and Steve Dorsten with the Ohio Department of Natural Resources Division of Parks.
“The trustees are honored to be here to do this dedication,” Johns said. “At one time this towpath was almost impassable, now it can be enjoyed.”
The path is currently dirt, but Dorsten told the group gathered that there will be two more layers put down to complete the path. The top will be fine gravel, making the trail nice for all weather conditions.
Auglaize County Commissioners President Doug Spencer also spoke at the dedication.
He talked about growing up next to the towpath and how it has evolved.
“I always wondered where it would take me if I was courageous enough to take it,” Spencer said. “This trail could teach us to be less dependent on vehicles.”
He encouraged the group to find the true potential of the trail and all that it has to offer.
Following Spencer, Heritage Trails Park District Executive Director Allison Brady led the ribbon-cutting and invited students from the Noble Township Sodbusters 4-H Club to join the group. She referenced “Oh The Places You’ll Go” by Dr. Seuss.
“Oh the places you could go, you could go to North Dakota if you wanted, this trail can take you to New York, it circumvents the entire state of Ohio,” Brady said. “We are delighted to share that with the youth.”
The ribbon-cutting closed out the dedication and those attending weaved through a variety of information booths including the St. Marys Chamber of Commerce, the Southwestern Auglaize County Chamber of Commerce, Dannon, Joint Township District Memorial Hospital and the West Central Ohio Land Conservancy.
The “Road To Fitness” also held a 5k walk/run. After the dedication ceremony, many ventured out to enjoy the revamped path. |
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Last Updated ( Wednesday, 15 July 2009 )
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