Towpath Trail discussions for New Philadelphia progress
New Philadelphia (WJER) (June 26, 2023) – City residents are still getting an opportunity to guide the Ohio and Erie Canalway Coalition Towpath Trail through town.
The city held a public meeting last week on the proposal that would have an extension of the trail come south from Dover and go along Union Avenue, 7th Street Northwest and Front Avenue Southwest to reach Waterworks Park. Coalition President Dan Rice says about a dozen residents were in attendance who shared valuable feedback.
“We will take that information back with our consultant and review that information and evaluate it,” Rice said.
Rice says it’s being recommended to have the trail use what’s called a ‘cycle-track’ bike lane along those roads through town, to make it safer for hikers and bikers.
Rice says they’ll then host another public meeting July 24th at 6 p.m. at New Philadelphia council chambers where he hopes to be able to share the final designs.
“That would be out goal, but we’ll see.” said Rice. “We have some more explorations to do regarding potential alternates to really come up with the safest and most cost-efficient route.”
Rice says they have no exact cost estimate because different options are still being looked at. But there are a variety of state and federal grants specifically for bikes and trail development that would be utilized.
“We just feel really strongly that the city of New Philadelphia, city of Dover, and Tuscarawas County should get their fair share of these taxpayer dollar grants that are available,” he said.
He says, if all is approved, the trail could be complete through town within about five years.