Group eyes trail grants for county

Members of the Athens Conservancy addressed the county commissioners on Tuesday about their desire to obtain former railroad rights-of-way in order to pursue creation of a countywide biking/hiking trail.

The members were seeking letters of support from the commissioners for two grants that would allow them to obtain the former rights-of-way in Athens, Rome and Troy townships. The commissioners agreed to write the letters.

Conservancy vice president Phil Cantino explained that the group has been working on obtaining state trail grants to be able to afford purchasing the rights-of-way. It's possible, Cantino said, that at some point a biking and hiking trail could link Columbus, Ohio, and Washington, D.C., through Athens County.

"If we start doing this stuff and stating our intentions, I think we could find that we are on the connector route between Columbus and Washington, D.C., and Pittsburgh too, for that matter," Cantino said.

The conservancy is currently assisting the Moonville Rail-Trail, Inc., organization in applying for a Clean Ohio grant to purchase additional railroad grade for their multi-use trail project.

"The Moonville Rail-Trail is hoped to eventually connect to the Hockhocking-Adena bikeway in Athens, and that would be a contribution toward that," Cantino said.

Conservancy members also mentioned the fact that West Virginia currently has a rail trail that leads across the state, and ends in Parkersburg, across the Ohio River from Washington County, Ohio. Cantino expressed his hope that Washington County would decide to continue the trail into the state and leading to Athens County.

"I think it's a wonderful idea," said Commissioner Mark Sullivan about the plans.

The County Commissioners voted unanimously to send letters of support for the grants, which include applying to the Clean Ohio Trails Fund, the Recreational Trail Program Fund and the Clean Ohio Conservation Fund.

The commissioners agreed to allow any railroad rights-of-way obtained to be deeded to the county, Cantino stressed that the group is in the early stages of the project.

On its Web site, the Athens Conservancy describes itself as a nonprofit organization of a type known as a land trust.

"It is organized and exists to work for protection of open-space lands in Athens County, Ohio, and nearby areas, including acquisition of land or specific rights where appropriate and including educational and planning activities," the site states.