New Park District Trail Paves the Way in Middlefield
November 16, 2017 by Rose Nemunaitis

The Geauga Park District and Village of Middlefield are paving the way for more reasons to enjoy Geauga County’s great outdoors and parks.

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The Geauga Park District and Village of Middlefield are paving the way for more reasons to enjoy Geauga County’s great outdoors and parks.

“This is another great park resource for the people of Geauga County,” said John Oros, Geauga Park District executive director. “The residents of Middlefield and Southeast Geauga deserve to have their section of Maple Highlands trail paved. We are excited to provide a new paved trail surface for the residents of Geauga County.”

Discussed for years and now coming to fruition, paving of The Maple Highlands Trail-South will be completed later this month, when barricades are gone, offering a new generation of shared users. These include walkers, runners, in-line skaters, cross-country skiers, and other pedestrians able to travel on a smoother route through a picturesque portion of the county.

“The project goes hand in hand with my vision to ensure our parks are accessible to the residents of the county,” Oros said. “It’s not enough to call ourselves Geauga Park District, we must also ensure our residents have plenty of opportunities to experience our parks and recreation offerings.”

Leslie Gambosi, Middlefield Village administrator, did the grant application for funding for the project and helped coordinate meetings and documents between park district staff and the village.

The Ohio Department of Natural Resources Office of Real Estate provided funding for the project.

“They have a few Outdoor Recreation Facility Grant Programs that are available and the village applied for the Land and Water Conservation Fund Grant Program,” Gambosi said. “The LWCF Grant Program provides up to 40 percent reimbursement, up to $300,000 to assistance for local government subdivisions (townships, villages, cities, counties, park districts, joint recreation districts and conservancy districts) for the acquisition, development and rehabilitation of recreational areas.

“The village felt this project was important for many reasons, however, bicycle tourism contributed significantly to the decision to partner with the Geauga Park District to enhance the village’s current asset.”

Gambosi said the economic impact of the trail is not able to be quantified yet, but it is known, from other studies, that trails are small income generators compared to other large sectors of the village’s economy, such as manufacturing.

“Their impact on the village will spread to other businesses around the trail due to the new activity,” she said.

The Geauga Park District has been working on the trail between state Route 608 to the north and Bridge Road to the south.

From the north, the new paving will start at state Route 608 at Headwaters Park & East Branch Reservoir. The trail will run south, crossing Durkee Road, Burton Windsor Road and end at Tare Creek Parkway in the Village of Middlefield.

The trail will pick up to the south at Johnston Street in the village, cross state Route 528 and end at Bridge Road in Middlefield Township.

Middlefield Mayor Ben Garlich is pleased with all the benefits to Middlefield residents.

“We were able to partner with the park district and reach an agreement that was good for both parties,” Garlich said. “I think it adds tremendous value to the recreational users of the path as they will have a place to take a break and get refreshed. It will benefit Middlefield merchants as people visit the local coffee shops and restaurants.”

On a recent sunny Wednesday afternoon, friends Chris Vecchio, of Burton, and Hiram’s Linda Ferris enjoyed the fresh air and serenity of their weekly walk.

The day’s excursion included a start for breakfast at Middlefield Tavern.

“It’s beautiful,” Vecchio said, as she continued down the newly paved trail.

The two physical therapists look forward to taking turns visiting different restaurants each week with their walks.

“We absolutely love this trail,” Ferris said, as Aspens, Red and Sugar Maples adorned the trail view. “We come here all the time.”

Oros said the parks are connectors to communities.

“It will benefit the parks in that you can now visit Swine Creek Park and Headwaters Park during your ride,” Garlich added. “We plan to encourage village residents to utilize the new addition for riding your bike from your home instead of hauling it to a remote location.

“It can also be used as a fitness trail as it makes a nice safe walking or jogging loop when incorporated with Tare Creek Parkway. We think it is a positive for all involved from residents, to all trail participants and a much safer useable route for our valued Amish neighbors.”

Garlich said the length of path the village owns is 1.75 miles.

“The Amish have an improved path that will be useable year round and not be affected by snow and rain as the previous non-hard surface path was affected,” Garlich said.

The unpaved trail, also utilized by horse and buggies, became a wet and gravel-filled muddy trail often when inclement weather moved in.

Sam Fisher picks up the trail on horse and buggy near the old Grandview Golf Course.

“I can’t say enough, the trail is very nice,” Fisher said, preferring the asphalt so horses can do a slow trot. “It’s really a plus. It’s 110 percent easier. We are really appreciative about being able to use it. When it rained, it got muddy and when dry, got dusty.”

Oros said he visited the Holmes County Trail in northeastern Ohio, heart of the state’s Amish country, and was impressed. The trail was the first recreational trail in the country designed to accommodate Amish buggies.

“It’s a safer route for Amish friends and neighbors to go into Middlefield,” Oros said of their newly paved trail.

Freeman Miller walks to the trail from his home off of state Route 608.

“They really have done a nice job and I hope it stays nice,” Miller said during his daily dose of fresh air and exercise, which he says is a key to keeping healthy.

Oros added Maple Highlands Trail users get to experience a variety of natural settings and will get to see and experience a variety of plants, animals and habitats.

“The trail is also a tremendous recreational resource,” Oros said. “Given a distance of 20 miles, it’s a challenge course of sorts. What better way to get outside and truly get a workout than to hike, bike, or run our longest trail in the Geauga Park District system.”