Connecting the dots in Wakeman

Jul. 7—WAKEMAN — Is Wakeman, Ohio, the new crossroads of the United States?

It is if you like to bike and walk trails.

A celebration was held on June 25 at the Wakeman Community Park Gazebo, designating Wakeman as a Buckeye Trail Town.

"We have 17 official Buckeye Trail Towns," said Andrew Bashaw, executive director for the Buckeye Trail Association. "A Trail Town is a town that has accepted the Buckeye Traill as part of its future.

Bashaw said it is partnership between the town and the non-profit Buckeye Trail Association. In this case, it also is a partnership with Firelands Rails to Trails.

"It is a recognition of what the town has done to welcome hikers," he said. "The trail itself provides services to people visiting, but it also the beginning of a relationship to talk about what more we can do develop the outdoor recreation economy for the town and the region, in our case the state."

This is a big step forward for the community.

"This is a huge piece of infrastructure," said Lance Franke, past president of Firelands Rail to Trail and a board member. "This is 1,440 miles, where ours is only about 20. With the U.S. Bike Route 30 coming through here that is over 1,000 miles. That is more or less a transcontinental route from Montana to New Hamphire."

The Buckeye Trail designation ties everything together, Franke said.

"It's here. The Buckeye Trail it here," he said. "The Firelands Rail to Trail is here. U.S Bike Route 30 is here. This trail coming through here knits little Wakeman together with Toledo., Cleveland, the West Coast, the East Coast.

"We have counters up and this is our first year," Franke added. "We have to gather the numbers ... we estimate we will have 120,000 people per year come through on the trail."

Many of the bikers and walkers stop at the Wakeman Elevator Craft Beer & Wine Barn.

"The hikers and bikers ... there is so much," said Darlene Krieger, owner of the Wakeman Elevator.

Wakeman Village Administrator Trish Summers was like a kid on Christmas morning.

"This is awesome," Summers said. "This is the greatest thing since sliced bread. We love to see people in town."

Locals overseeing the North Coast Inland Trail's development continue to make major inroads.

The Buckeye Trail Town designation is the first such designation in Huron County and along the North Coast Inland Trail.

The label helps highlight communities across Ohio and points out notable landmarks as people — be it on bicycles, roller blades or some other non-motorized mode of transportation — travel through a given area. It also showcases area attractions tourists can visit as well as spotlighting certain local amenities.

Geared up for the work

Firelands Rails to Trails serves as an all-volunteer nonprofit.

Formed back in 2000, its members are credited with creating, building, extending and promoting the North Coast Inland Trail spanning 16.5 miles across scenic portions of Huron County.

The group's work, in part, led to Wakeman's Trail Town classification.

Members believe a Buckeye Trail marker in Wakeman further legitimizes the North Coast Inland Trail as a premier pathway.

"It is already seeing the effects of this new accomplished status in increased trade from trail users from the east and elsewhere," said Franke, who's actively attempting to receive similar recognition for Bellevue, Monroeville and Norwalk.

Considering it's a volunteer organization, funding typically signifies the main issue either delaying or hindering trail progress. The membership drive aims to, among other purposes, drum up support.

The group "is seeking to establish a more robust fiscal base, given the withdrawal of area park district support," Franke said. "We have to become increasingly self-sufficient as we have no tax levy support. We provide the infrastructure resources to the county and its citizens — and, of course, to folks beyond Huron County — at our expense. This is increasingly expensive and demanding."

Over 22-plus years, members have dedicated themselves to the design, construction, maintenance, operation and promotion of this pathway across Huron County.

It can continue pursuing this work with more members, Franke said.

"Having a strong membership base, incidentally, helps Firelands Rails to Trails secure grants to maintain the trail for you," Franke said.

People can reach out to Franke directly at lfrankefrtti@gmail.com or frtti.org for more information, such as volunteering and/or donating funds.

Pedal progress

Last year, in 2021, marked a monumental time for Firelands Rails to Trails.

Construction crews hired by and volunteers representing this nonprofit completed a stretch of the North Coast Inland Trail at Laylin Road and the Townsend Avenue-Perrin Road intersection in Norwalk.

So what's the significance?

The 16.5-mile recreational bike path now runs consecutively from Bellevue to Wakeman, which encompasses Norwalk's city bike route.

Furthermore, beyond Huron County, the trail spans contiguous from Elyria to Genoa, totaling almost 50 miles. It also crosses through areas in or near Elmore, Lindsey, Fremont, Clyde, Monroeville and Wakeman, among other locations, accessible in many points in between.

Outside of Huron County and surrounding areas, the North Coast Inland Trail actually totals 103 miles between Lorain/Elyria and Elmore. Though future plans show the pathway going through Toledo and up until eastern Indiana. Overall it's about halfway complete.

"It's so unique with all sorts of different terrain," Franke said. "There are farm areas. There are open areas. You can go over historic bridges. Everywhere is spectacular."

Go for a ride

Firelands Rails to Trails, an all-volunteer, nonprofit group, is dedicated to the design, construction, maintenance and operation of the North Coast Inland Trail in Huron County.

Anyone can access the North Coast Inland Trail in Huron County or in other areas.

Everyone must follow rules to use the path:

—The trail is open from dawn to dusk.

—Respect private property by staying on the trail.

—No motorized vehicles are allowed on the trail except for power chairs for the disabled.

—No climbing on fences, railings, bridges or abutments.

—No camping, campfires, swimming or loitering.

—Park only in designated areas. Do not park on the trail surface.

—No alcohol allowed.

—Dogs must be on leashes and must be under control.

Sandusky Register reporter Andy Ouriel contributed to this story.