Explanation
Background: This ordinance authorizes the Director of the Recreation and Parks Department to apply for grant funding from the Mid-Ohio Regional Planning Commission (MORPC) Transportation Alternative Program to build a significant section of the Big Walnut Greenway on the far east side of the city, from Nafzger Park near Refugee Road to Big Walnut Park near East Main Street.
MORPC is accepting applications for federal funds for bike and pedestrian improvements, including regional trail projects. This ordinance authorizes the Director of the Recreation and Parks Department to submit a grant application to MORPC to build a significant section of the Big Walnut Greenway on the Far East side of the city, from Nafzger Park near Refugee Road to Big Walnut Park near East Main Street. This area of the City has very few bike and pedestrian facilities. It also rates on the High Injury Network as a dangerous area to bike or walk.
Five neighborhood connections would be added, providing connectivity for over 50,000 residents to the regional network. All of the alignment will be separated trail. Several key destinations will be linked by this project. These destinations include job and commercial centers, including Eastland, the Hamilton Road Corridor, and the East Main Street Corridor. It also includes three major city parks, including Helsel, Nafzger, and Big Walnut Parks, as well as, the Far East Community Center. Five communities are also connected, including Blacklick Estates, Walnut Heights, Eastland, Pine Hills, and Shady Lane. Two future Linkus transit stops at Livingston Avenue and East Main Street will also be connected. 16 schools are within a one mile walkshed.
A key result will be overcoming substantial barriers to biking and walking. The project will build four major trail infrastructure improvements, including underpasses beneath I-270 and I-70, an underpass beneath the Norfolk Southern railway, and a new pedestrian bridge connecting the Wal...
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