Fairfield Heritage Trail Association

Meeting Minutes - June 13, 2001

The regular monthly meeting of the Fairfield Heritage Trail Association was held Wednesday, June 13, 2001, at the Olivedale Recreation Center, Lancaster, Ohio. Meetings are always on the second Wednesday of the month at 7:00 PM.

Treasurer David Scheffler opened the meeting at 7:00 PM.

Ed Pool, secretary, posted the minutes of the April 2001 regular meeting at the website. A copy was available for those present to read prior to the meeting. Minutes were approved.

David Scheffler, treasurer, reported a balance of $498.

Old Business

Bylaws changes and approval - David Scheffler, chairperson

The Bylaws were approved as changed.

Case Statement review - Ira Weiss, chairperson

This report was tabled until the July meeting.

Response letter from ODOT

Jim Barrett and David Scheffler will see Tim Schaffer tomorrow concerning the bypass and the intersection with the proposed trail.

Booths

Zane Square Festival- August 17-18, Larry Smith and Phil Walker
Fairfield County Fair- not likely, contact David Fey
Bremen Oktoberfest- September, Ed Pool

Capital Campaign Committee- newly formed committee, members are Claude Ford, Jim Barrett, and Bob Williams.

No report.

New Business

ODNR Trail meetings

Ira Weiss gave a comprehensive report. Thanks go to Ira for the following:

ODNR Statewide Trails Plan

Participants: Bill Daehler;ODNR, John Houser, outgoing state RTC director; Elaine Marsh, Ohio Greenways Project; Paul Lavovice, National Parks Service; Sharon Todd, ODOT

The stated goal is to develop a statewide trail system. Plans were made in the 70's but this is out of date. Plan will have four components and will be completed by mid-Fall of 2001: Inventory of existing and planned components; trails participation study of 2000 Ohioans; identification of strategic issues; recommendations and implementation to mitigate issues.

Issue - Can a trail be placed next to the canal? Contact Dennis Gebele at ODNR 614.265.6778.

Proposed funding criteria and strategic issues

After stating issues, these were taped up around the room and people put dots on them to indicate priority.

Proposed funding criteria:

1.  Volunteer hours as in-kind donation
2.  Does it fit in statewide or regional plan
3.  Coordinate trail plans to avoid duplication of effort
4.  Linkage to existing trails
5.  Provide diverse types of trails
6.  Parallel trails(bicycle/walking and equestrian)
7.  Environmentally sustainable
8.  Ability to maintain the facility
9.  Provide balance of trail miles to population
10. Provide trails to underserved areas
11. Encourage partnerships
12. Adding interpretive features
13. Economic impact
14. Emphasize Ohio to Erie Trail
15. Logical end point and access
16. Safety planning specifically to access
17. Preserve green space
18. ADA compliance
19. Set aside funds for single use trails
20. Fund purchase of equipment
21. Fill current voids where groups have lack of trails
22. Coordinate volunteer cooperation
23. Provide parking
24. Money for resurfacing and repair
25. Environmental impact of trail use
26. Environmental enhancements.

Strategic issues:

1.  Coordinating with other states
2.  Cooperation between state parks, state forestry, national forestry
3.  Liability-recreational uses statute
4.  Lack of awareness of liability laws
5.  Convincing Farm Bureau that trails have significant value
6.  More mountain bike trails
7.  Multi-use trails use of current foot trails
8.  Need more miles for motorized trails
9.  Trail maintenance
10. Contingency funds for trail use
11. Walking trails in state forests-back country
12. Campsites for overnight use
13. More support facilities
14. Education and cooperation between user groups
15. Bike lanes on public roads
16. Public prioritization
17. Coordination with railroads on future plans
18. Education issue
19. Coordination with canal societies
20. Need to communicate with railroads.

State Issue 1

Discussed how House version would create 19 districts in Ohio and each would have 2-4 million dollars to spend. They would follow public works model. We would need to educate local officials. Each district would have 11 people as an advisory committee who decides which projects get funded. As trails cross district lines, building regional trails would be difficult. Governor may propose and amendment in the Senate providing the $25 million to ODNR for trails.

David Fey plans to attend the Athens session.

Lancaster Trail Section

Larry Smith reported that he had cleaned the area under the US 22 bridge at Olivedale. A mountain bike could be ridden to Hunter Park with very little modification.

Other Business

A need is present to contact Jay Hottinger. Ira will send David more information and David will send Mr. Hottinger a letter supporting the setting aside of $25 million for ODNR as originally proposed by Governor Taft. David will also contact Ohio Rails-to-Trails for additional information.

Next Thursday at noon, David will make presentation at Rising Park for the St. Bernadette's Seniors group.

Everyone is encouraged to check the website for next month's agenda. Items may be added by members by emailing Ed at poolfam@buckeyenet.net.

Meeting adjourned at 8:00.

Next meeting, July 11, 7:00 PM, at Olivedale Recreation Center, Lancaster, Ohio

NOTES: (MSP) - Motion Seconded and Passed.