Pickerington proposes sixth bike trail possibility
(by Alexa Libert, staff writer - April 07, 2010)
A sixth bike trail was presented in the preliminary plans to the Parks and Recreation Board during its March 31 meeting.
City Engineer Greg Bachman said he added plans for the additional trail "because it looked like a good connection for our parks and our schools."
The proposed trail would begin in Victory Park, connect to Central High School and end up in the Sycamore Creek subdivision, he said. It would also connect Ridgeview Junior High and the Pickerington Public Library on Opportunity Way.
The concept of creating safer routes to school was part of council's previously discussed "strategic plan" for the city.
Bachman combined that initiative with the 2006 Parks and Recreation Facilities Master Plan for bike trails.
Preliminary plans for the other five trails were presented in February. However, Bachman presented the estimated costs for those trails for the first time during the March 31 presentation. Those trails remain the same and include:
* Tussing Road from S.R. 256 to Blacklick Creek (connecting the trail to the new Columbus Metro Parks trail exiting Blacklick Woods Metro Park). Estimated cost $371,000.
* Refugee Road from Windmiller Drive to Farmstead Drive (where the trail would also connect to a Metro Parks trail). Estimated cost $148,000.
* Commerce Drive from S.R. 256 to Diley Road (to connect the Melrose subdivision). Estimated cost $277,000.
* Columbus Street from S.R. 256 to Pickerington Ponds. Estimated cost $454,000.
* Long Road from Columbus Street to Pickerington Ponds. Estimated cost $759,000.
Bachman did not yet have a cost estimate for the newly proposed trail.
Bachman said part of the reason for the presentation to the Parks and Recreation Board was to help determine which of the six paths the city will construct first.
Once there is a recommendation from the board, it would then go to city council for approval.
Bachman does not expect any construction to begin until the summer of 2011 and that plan is tentative.
He added that he intends to finance the project through grants and money derived through impact fees on new developments.
