Funding Approved for MetroParks of Butler County

COLUMBUS – Monday, the State Controlling Board approved the release of over $6 million to the Clean Ohio Trails Fund. Butler County has been awarded nearly $340,000 of that money to extend the existing Miami and Erie Canal Trail. 

“I’d like to express my appreciation for the Ohio Department of Natural Resources and its work to acquire this funding,” said State Representative Sara Carruthers (R-Hamilton). “This trail extension will be way residents can further enjoy Butler County and its beautiful parks.”

The project, named as the Miami II Miami Connection, will extend the existing Miami and Erie Canal Trail that currently runs three miles from Bypass 4 to State Route 747. The 10-foot-wide paved multiuse trail will extend the existing trail westward 0.84 miles from Bypass 4 to Bilstien Boulevard along existing embankments that run between the ponds at Gilmore Metroparks. 

The trail extension will connect to a further trail extension that is being designed and constructed by the City of Hamilton that will run another 0.72 miles from Bilstein Boulevard to Gilmore Road. 

“MetroParks of Butler County has a wonderful vision for the trail systems of the area and I’m excited to see the designs come to fruition,” Carruthers said. 

The next Controlling Board meeting is scheduled for May 9.