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Water trails designation may boost paddle sports in region

River’s new designation expected to spur tourism

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By Ken McCall, Staff Writer Updated 11:04 PM Thursday, August 26, 2010

The popularity of canoeing and kayaking is growing rapidly in Ohio, and Thursday’s designation of three regional rivers as state water trails will help the Miami Valley capitalize on the trend, officials say.

Registration of canoes and kayaks has increased by more than 50 percent over the last five years, said Pam Dillon, director of the Ohio Department of Natural Resources’ Division of Watercraft, who came to Dayton on Thursday, Aug. 26, to dedicate the Great Miami, Stillwater and Mad rivers as official state water trails.

In 2009, registration for the paddling sports boats reached 82,670, up from 54,868 in 2004, according to Division of Watercraft figures.

Local governments and park districts want to attract some of those new boaters.

Scott Myers, deputy director for the Miami County Park District, said his organization is excited about the designation and has jumped in to help promote paddle sports.

The park district has landed two grants from the state Division of Watercraft. They used the first to buy canoes and a trailer for paddling programs. The second is going to be used to build an access point to the Great Miami River in the Twin Arch Reserve between Troy and Piqua.

“We have increased the programming we do on the river,” Myers said. “Our float programs fill up very quickly.”

The big benefit of the water trail designation, Myers said, will be from economic development and tourism, which he sees as being linked.

The growing number of canoeists and kayakers are all looking for places to paddle, he said, and the official designation will draw them to the area.

“People that come here for the water trails will spend money at our businesses,” said Sarah Hippensteel, program development director with the Miami Conservancy District.

“The more people you bring into the area, the more they see the assets you have in the area,” Myers said. “They may say, ‘I’m going to go ahead and move up there,’ or ‘I may take my business up there.’

“It’s the quality of life stuff. It’s hard to measure, but it’s extremely important, especially in today’s world where you’re trying to attract those young people to this area.”

Dayton Development Coalition Vice President Marty Hohenberger attended the river designation ceremony Thursday and said the state recognition of the rivers as official water trails is a huge economic advantage.

“Combined with our extensive land-based recreation trails, this helps us attract a strong workforce and keep our young people here after graduation,” Hohenberger read from a statement by coalition president Jim Leftwich. “People want to be where the action is,” he said.

Contact this reporter at (937) 225-2393 or kmccall@DaytonDailyNews.com.

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