New Philadelphia seeks funding for bike trail to Roswell
NEW PHILADELPHIA ― The city will be seeking federal funding for a project to build a bike and walking trail from New Philadelphia to Roswell.
Mayor Joel Day reported to council on Monday that the Ohio Department of Natural Resources (ODNR) Division of Mineral Resources Management has approved the city's request to apply for a federal Abandoned Mine Land Economic Revitalization grant to construct the trail.
It would be built on the city-owned railroad right-of-way that extends from Beaver Avenue NE, east along state Route 39 to the Roswell village limit.
"The route traverses an area where deep, slope and strip mine were once located," Day said.
The rail line serviced coal mines in the Roswell area and also transported miners from New Philadelphia who worked in the mines. It was abandoned by the Pennsylvania Railroad in 1943.
Preliminary cost estimates for the project are around $3.2 million, the mayor said.
Project assistance is being provided by Rural Action's New Philadelphia office.
"The next step is to complete the application for funding and submit it to ODNR by the Sept. 16 deadline," Day said.
He noted that the grant program is very competitive. According to ODNR, 24 other communities have received approval to apply for the funding.
The Roswell trail is included in the city's overall bicycle and pedestrian connectivity plan, he said.
In other action, Day told council that he presented a mayoral proclamation last Saturday to Margaret Bonamico to honor her 50 years of service to Trumpet in the Land and to recognize Trumpet's 53 years as being Ohio's official state play and the longest outdoor theater production.
In his proclamation, he applauded Bonamico for "tirelessly giving of her time and talent through long hours, endless delays and the occasional rain storm to make the production possible each summer."
The proclamation also said, "It is only fitting that we recognize Trumpet in the Land for sharing the rich history of our area through the performing arts as we celebrate the 250th anniversary of the founding of the Schoenbrunn settlement this year."
The mayor also told council that the active shooter training held last weekend at New Philadelphia High School was successful, according to Police Chief Mike Goodwin. All road officers participated in the training.
Members of the police auxiliary unit volunteered to be actors in the training. School teachers and staff members were trained on how to respond to active shooter threats.
"I thank Capt. Ty Norris for organizing and supervising the training, and all the participants for making the commitment to this effort," Day said. "Capt. Norris is also advising local churches that want to develop or update their security plans."
This article originally appeared on The Times-Reporter: New Philadelphia seeks federal funds for bike trail
