The Green Belt Network
The six Green Belts now under development by Columbus Recreation and Parks
are a network of over 92 miles of trails winding throughout the urban fabric of the
city.
Some of the region’s most famous trails – the Olentangy, Alum Creek, Scioto,
Blacklick, Camp Chase and Big Walnut – will form a system of interconnected
loops in Columbus. Ranging from four to 32 miles long, these beltways will offer
new ways to experience great parks, neighborhoods, culture and some of the best
scenery in the city.
Columbus Recreation and Parks’ five year plan, in tandem with our close partners
within Central Ohio Greenways (COG), looks to build 17 trail projects towards the
Green Belts network. -Learn more
New Trails Projects
With over 62 miles of Recreation and Parks trails along our greenway corridors, hundreds of thousands of users now travel the network to parks, schools, downtown, and commuting to work. The expansion of the network currently includes over 10 projects reaching further in all directions, and increasing direct access for Columbus neighborhoods and our surrounding communities. All in pursuit of the Mayor's goal to have everyone in Columbus live within a few minutes of a trail.
- Major Initiatives: 2017 & Beyond
Olentangy Trail Improvements and Bethel Rd. Connector
The Olentangy Trail is the busiest trail in
Ohio with several segments of the trail receiving over 1,000 uses per day. Trail
use has grown substantially in the past decade, and path congestion has become a
well-documented occurrence. A further obstruction is the lack of safe access
for thousands of residents along the Bethel Road/Olentangy River Road corridor.
This project seeks to remedy these unsafe conditions by:
~ Widening the trail from 9’ to 12’ to increase
capacity.
~ Constructing a fully compliant connector ramp
from the trail to Bethel Road.
~ Constructing a shared use path along Bethel
Road to Olentangy River Road/Anheuser Busch Park, creating a new, easy access
trail head.
- Learn More
Alum Creek Trail - Johnstown Rd. Connector
- Proposed Connections Map
Shepard Connector
The
Shepard Connector to the Alum Creek Trail will build a 0.5 mile direct
connection to the regional trail from Leonard Avenue. The project would
be built along an abandoned rail corridor owned by Recreation and Parks between
Leonard Avenue and the Alum Creek Trail at Hayden Park. Construction of
the project will be partially funded by Clean Ohio Trails Fund (ODNR). - Proposed Connections Map
Franklinton Loop
Conceptual planning for development of a neighborhood recreational and
commuter loop proposing additional on and off street facilities while utilizing
existing infrastructure. - Concept Map
Blacklick Trail - Portman Park to Refugee Rd - NOW OPEN.
The Blacklick Trail is a 14 mile regional trail along the south east side of Columbus. Thousands of trail users each year travel the greenway from Three Creeks Park to Blacklick Woods Metro Park. A final critical gap in the trail occurs near the intersection of Refugee Road and Hines Road.
Big Walnut Trail - Elk Run to Winchester Pike
- Proposed Trail Map
Olentangy Trail - Henderson Rd. Safety Impovements
The
Olentangy Trail is considered to be the busiest trail in Ohio. Several
segments of the trail receive over 1,000 uses per day. The
Henderson Road Bridge was widened in 2005 to accommodate the trail on the
bridge deck. However, the steep turning radius ramp from the bridge to
the underpass beneath requires improvement. This original ramp does not
meet Recreation and Parks design standards, or federal AASHTO Trail standards.
This project will construct a new ramp configuration which reduces the
steep grade, widens the turning radius, and significantly increases sight
distance for all trail users.
Goodale Street Bike Improvement - Now Open!
A new trail and big connection! Goodale Street Bike Improvements Project is a trail along the north side of Goodale St., from Michigan Ave. to Olentangy River Rd. and a new connector ramp from Goodale St. down to the Olentangy Trail. Trail users can finally access the regional trail and new routes into downtown and Grandview Heights.
- View Illustration
Camp Chase Rail Trail - NOW OPEN
We're working hard on 3.5 miles of trail through the Hilltop. The entire Camp Chase Rail Trail will stretch over 12 miles, from Big Darby Creek to the west side of the city. The trail will also be a key link of the Ohio to Erie Trail, spanning over 325 miles from the Ohio River to Lake Erie. - View Map
Scioto Trail - Fifth to McKinley
This section is now open! This east/west trail
extension will connect thousands of residents and workers on the west side of
the Scioto River to the regional trail.
- See Rendering
Olentangy Trail - Worthington Hills Extension
This
main trail extension will improve a connection to the Olentangy Trail for
Worthington Hills residents.
Improvements include connections to a shopping center, new trailhead
facilities, and crossing safety upgrades.
The project is now under design. Scheduled for construction in 2018. - See Project Overview
Alum Creek Trail - North Columbus Connector
A new connection for thousands of residents along
Westerville Road, north of Morse Road. The east/west connector will use a utility corridor and short on-street
improvements to complete a 1 mile connector path.