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What's next for the Headwaters Trail?

Headwaters Trail Phase VIII
Posted on: April 3, 2023 - 4:53pm
Headwaters Trail Map

After years of effort, the Park District is now ready to request grant funding for the next phase of the Headwaters Trail in Mantua Township.  Headwaters Trail Phase VIII is the 1.37-mile section of the former Erie Lackawanna Railroad corridor between Diagonal Road and Chamberlain Road.  It will be constructed as a multipurpose trail similar to the existing limestone-surfaced Headwaters Trail between SR 82 in Garrettsville and Mennonite Road in Mantua, with parking at a trailhead on Chamberlain Road.  The City of Aurora is also proceeding with grant seeking for their portion of trail along the same corridor, on a trail easement obtained from First Energy, starting on the west side of Chamberlain Road and extending 2.84 miles to SR 82 in Aurora. 

The Headwaters Trail project has been under planning and development for over 25 years and is included in multiple local, State, and National trail plans. Multipurpose trails such as this, provide many health, social and environmental benefits, and are enjoyed by thousands of people every year for healthy recreation, alternative transportation, and as a place for quietly enjoying the beauty of nature.

Portage Park District will submit a grant application to the Clean Ohio Trails Fund this month requesting the majority of funding, with the total project cost for its section estimated to be approximately $700,000. The public is encouraged to submit comments on the project by taking this survey, submitted by April 14th, 2023.

Next Phases

  • The Park District is finalizing agreements with landowners to complete the acquisition of the ~1.37-mile section of trail between Chamberlain Road and Diagonal Road in Mantua Township, with trailhead parking located at Chamberlain Road to serve users going east or west.
  • Because the former railroad corridor is not available for use west of Mennonite Road, the trail is planned to be routed 1.48 miles as an off-road trail, separated from traffic within the road right-of-way, on Mantua Center, Pioneer and Diagonal Roads.
  • The City of Aurora is currently planning to develop 2.84 miles of trail between Chamberlain Road, west to SR 82, on an easement over the former railroad corridor. It has the potential to connect to the City of Solon’s trails and the Cleveland Metroparks’ Emerald Necklace trails.
  • Funding opportunities include the Clean Ohio Trails Fund, Recreational Trails fund and the Transportation Alternatives Set Aside funding through the Transportation Bill. 

History

  • Headwaters Trail currently extends 8.5 miles from SR 82 in Garrettsville through Hiram Twp. to Mennonite Road in Mantua Twp. It is constructed primarily on the former Erie Lackawanna railroad corridor acquired from multiple landowners, purchased or leased, since the 1990’s. Its name is derived from the area’s geography, where the trail bridges the Mahoning and Cuyahoga Watersheds in an area of multiple wetlands and headwater streams flowing into those rivers.
  • It has been included in many local, regional and state plans over the decades, including the Portage Park District Master Plans, multiple AMATS’ Transportation Improvement Plans, State Comprehensive Outdoor Recreation Plans and State of Ohio Trails Plans, each of which has had significant public review and opportunities for input.
  • The Park District currently manages most of the trail, except for short sections in Mantua and Garrettsville Villages. It is accessible to all and is used by those in wheelchairs, cyclists of all kinds, and walkers, including those using the portion of the statewide Buckeye Trail located on the Headwaters Trail in Hiram Township.
  • The trail is used by thousands, and connects small towns, parks, nature preserves and the Cuyahoga River which is designated by the State as both a Scenic River and a State Water Trail.

Benefits

  • Health: Trails are places for exercise and relaxation benefiting physical and mental health
  • Social/Economic: Trails are free, open community gathering areas that connect downtowns, enhance the region’s quality of life and encourage related economic and tourism development
  • Environment: Trails are greenways for connecting beautiful natural areas, while providing safe, alternative transportation options 
  • Additional resources are available at: www.AmericanTrails.org; www.HeadwatersEconomic.org

map of Headwaters Trail Phase VIII circled near Mennonite Road