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StumbleuponNeglected right-of-way through Kettering eyed as bike trail
Photos: Take a look at the bike trail
Comment: Tell us about other hidden gem bike trails in the area
Guide: Learn about other Dayton area bike trails
Wednesday, July 23, 2008
Extras
Photos
DAYTON — A neglected and mostly forgotten former railroad corridor that connects the city's most densely populated southern suburbs could become a trail system for pleasure cyclists, hikers and commuters.
And as the price of gasoline — for the moment — hovers around $4 a gallon, the option of tying such a system together is more appealing.
But if funding issues can't be resolved, it'll be tough to make the trail a reality.
The corridor travels through a big blank spot on the official Miami Valley Recreational Trails map.
Regional trails crisscross the area, especially along river corridors. But those trails are for recreation, not transportation that could ease congestion through inner suburbs.
The trails earn praise — after users burn fuel to drive the distance to put bikes, roller skates or running shoes on those trails.
Some parts have been black-topped and are used by the city of Dayton as a utility access. But much of the corridor is empty and overgrown, hidden behind alleys and fences, skirting parks and snaking behind neat, suburban homes.
A few "No Trespassing" signs keep out visitors.
A graffiti-festooned tunnel runs beneath Patterson Road. Another trail leg starts in Kettering near Wilmington Pike and Stroop Road and goes east to County Line Road.
A title search by Bruce Allbery, deputy county recorder, shows that between the University of Dayton campus and Dorothy Lane in Kettering, the corridor is owned primarily by Dayton and Kettering.
A short section is owned by Dayton Reliable Tool.
On Irving Avenue, across the street from the Patterson Park Little League fields near the University of Dayton, is an entrance to a black-topped right-of-way that could take cyclists, joggers and commuters south to Dorothy Lane in Kettering.
Blink as you drive by the right-of-way and you'll miss it.
The right-of-way would safely segregate human-powered travelers from mixing on roadways with distracted text-messaging motorists, lead-footed drivers and other possible road-borne perils.
UD students could use it to bike to shows at the Fraze Pavilion. Kettering and Oakwood residents could commute on it to UD or Miami Valley Hospital, downtown, or to connect to longer trails along the Great Miami River and from there to points all over the map.
For now, the trail is heavily overgrown. It's washed out in parts, largely unlighted, littered with broken glass, dilapidated.
But Don Spang, director of the Miami Valley Regional Planning Commission, has another idea. His agency has been researching potential bike routes — including the right-of-way once owned by the Penn Central Railroad.
"All you need to do is fix it up and you have a straight shot," he said. "We need somebody to move it forward."
No one knows how much it would cost or who will take the lead. Funds haven't been secured.
But officials in Dayton, Kettering and Oakwood all said the idea has merit and is worth exploring as the price of gasoline has a vise grip on $4 per gallon.
The idea isn't helped by the fact that Dayton is strapped for funds as it fixes infrastructure and tries to replace nine city bridges in seven years, Mayor Rhine McLin said.
"I'm supportive of something like that," she said of developing the trail. "But the sad part is that minimal cost is significant cost."
Sanitary and storm sewer lines with manholes are on the trail now. The asphalt is just enough to accommodate city trucks that service the lines. Some of the issues that would have to be worked out include securing the lines and repaving, city spokesman Tom Biedenharn said.
Kettering Mayor Don Patterson also sees a difficult funding environment. He hopes a new presidential administration brings renewed federal funding for transit alternatives such as multi-purpose trails.
"Our budgets are getting decimated by the high gas costs," he said. "This could be a good thing, forcing all of us to look at how we use energy and conserve."
For years, Kettering has wanted to purchase of a key leg of the corridor that begins at Stroop Road beside a Dayton Metro Library branch and travels to Delco Park.
The asking price of about $100,000 from Norfolk Southern has kept the city from making a buy, said Mary Beth Thaman, director of parks and recreation.
But there is large residential support for better multi-purpose trails, Thaman said. In a telephone survey in May by an independent consultant hired by the city, 60 percent of 418 Kettering households said they have a need for walking and biking trails. The top three recreation items identified were, in this order, the Kettering Recreation Center, the Fraze Pavillion, and walking and biking trails.
The city is trying to figure out a way to finance a buy, she said. A lesser priority is assigned to the portion of rail bed Kettering owns, from Dorothy Lane to Dayton Reliable Tool, 618 Greenmount Blvd., Thaman said.
That leg, however, strategically skirts several neighborhoods and redevelopment at Kettering Business Park, the former Gentile Air Base. Dayton Reliable Tool declined comment on the prospect.
The increase in gasoline prices has driven more people to purchase bikes for commuting, said Stein Pedersen, co-owner of K&G Bike Center.
"We have a rude awakening for the U.S.," he said. "We have to join the rest of the world in using bikes for serious transportation."
Oakwood Mayor Judy Cook can attest to the unrealized potential. Her son recently took a ride on the trail — until he developed a flat tire and needed to be picked up.
"It's in miserable shape now," she said.
But with continuing citizen pressure to create more bike ways, Oakwood would like to help, she said.
"There are a host of individuals and groups involved. It's a matter of getting everyone on the same page and moving forward together," Cook said. "It's a beautiful opportunity."
Developing trails in the inner suburbs is overdue, Kettering's Patterson said, noting that cities such as Denver have had extensive bike routes for years.
"We are so far behind the curve in getting these things done," Patterson said.
Comments
By Jim Steiger
July 29, 2008 7:53 PM | Link to this
I am an Oakwood resident, and most Oakwood residents I’ve talked to, are behind this railroad corridor being turned into a muti-use path. This would be great for the southern side of Montgomery County. It would make a great way to get downtown Dayton, not just for work but to also go play and spend money in Dayton. Look at Loveland which is right on the bike path just north of Cin. and you will see all the business that is built up around the bike path, and doing good business.
By Chris
July 23, 2008 6:48 PM | Link to this
I’ve always wanted this stretch of asphalt to be developed into a bike path and name d”The Sysyphus Trail,” since it is railroad grade, eliminating the “far hills” of Irving, Shafor, Schantz, and….Far Hills Ave. However, since it is a sewer access “road” and has manhole covers along the asphalt(which weren’t there when railroad tracks ran on it) it would take more than a “cleanup” to be developed into a viable bicycle trail.
By Dan Kennedy
July 23, 2008 2:49 PM | Link to this
Trails bring crime rates down because legitimate users discourage bad actors from lingering. The Five Rivers Metro Parks Creekside Trail manager reported that the section of the trail traveling through Eastern Hills neighborhood had 4000 users in the month of Aug 2005. Lots of people use the trails.
By Chris
July 23, 2008 2:18 PM | Link to this
The bike trails around the Dayton area are great for recreational purposes, but are not that conducive to every day transportation. Anyone who commutes to work on the trails, at some point, will HAVE to get off the trail and onto the road (where road bikes belong). Each new trail (such as this) helps the entire system, but can never replace roads as transportation avenues.
By Barry
July 23, 2008 2:05 PM | Link to this
seems like a good idea to me, safer for the bikers and keeps them off the streets. unfortunately when a bike and an auto collide the bike usually loses
By Skywalker
July 23, 2008 1:51 PM | Link to this
As a frequent user of the bike trails in Greene Co. I can attest to their value, no crime, it’s a great way to get around locally and the exercise is good for you. Take a good look around and see all the obese people, walk jog or bike, it’s a great idea.
Hey Karon, enough about the light rail, it’s getting real old. Why don’t you move to Cleveland so you can find something else to harp on.
By dab24
July 23, 2008 1:34 PM | Link to this
Great idea! Spends a couple zillion on getting it up to speed with other trails that benefit maybe twenty people a DAY! I don’t understand this kind of thinking.
By andy
July 23, 2008 1:08 PM | Link to this
Over and over we hear critics of paths raise concerns about crime and safety on these paths. This logic does not make sense. Right now, the “closed” path provides a great place for delinquents to go for smoking and vandalizing. If the path was opened to law abiding citizens, the delinquents would lose their privacy and would need to find a new place to anonymously smoke etc.
By CMP
July 23, 2008 1:01 PM | Link to this
Great idea! I hope it goes through so I can ride to work on a path instead of on Wilmington Pike!
By action not talk
July 23, 2008 12:20 PM | Link to this
“Build it and they will come…” Who would now question the investment it took to make the river bikeway possible - or for that matter any recreational development? If the City of Dayton can spend money to partner with private groups to fund economic development (ie more parking garages downtown?) why can’t they find a creative way to fund a bikepath that can be used to encourage new modes of travel and enjoyment?
By BikeRider
July 23, 2008 11:37 AM | Link to this
This is agreat idea and I hope the funding obstacle is worked out.
Jim and Karon are lazy morons!
By Angie
July 23, 2008 11:29 AM | Link to this
This looks like a crime scene waiting to happen, its too secluded, and how much of our tax dollars will be spent on doing more than likely unneccesary improvements to the trail….???just leave it alone. There are no trespassing signs up for a reason.
By Grant Neeley
July 23, 2008 9:54 AM | Link to this
Could the cities and MVRPC get together on this? Five minutes on the web and I found the 2009 grant proposal. http://www.dnr.state.oh.us/Portals/0/pdfs/2009_rtp.pdf
By Sam I Am
July 23, 2008 9:43 AM | Link to this
To say that bicyclists should fund bikeways is ludacris. Bikers pay property taxes on their homes and businesses and pay gas taxes when they do drive their vehicles, so they are paying their fair share. Remember, federal funds help pay for many of our area roadway projects. The money comes from taxpayers around the country who are subsidizing YOUR driving. Don’t make it sound like bikers are getting a “free ride.”
By Judith
July 23, 2008 9:20 AM | Link to this
Yes! I strongly support this proposal. What a great way to use old trails that are already laid out. We live in Washington Township near St Leonard and often wish there was a bike/walking path nearby. Biking on Clyo Road or Spring Valley Pike is way too dangerous. Also, I love the idea of having trails across the region that interconnect. I hope this idea doesn’t just get tossed in the drawer.
By Local rider
July 23, 2008 9:17 AM | Link to this
It’s drivers with attitudes like Jim’s that illustrate the serious need for this type of trail for both recreation and commuting. I would think he would be the first in line to support this project to get the cyclists out of his way. As for winter, the roads and paths in this area are frequently open most of the winter and many bike riders commute all winter.
By bill
July 23, 2008 9:15 AM | Link to this
Jim:
So riders shouldn’t use the roads because they slow you down? Yes they should use common sense, but give me a break.
FYI, unless the riders are riding on the interstate the speed limit at most is 55 (not 60 like you quoted). Maybe the cops should ticket all the drivers exceeding the speed limits? Or, we could just all be considerate of one another.
Karon - The article is about BIKES. Not light rail. Two very different things.
By Inspector Dave
July 23, 2008 8:37 AM | Link to this
The Iron Horse Trail IS becoming a reality! The current project will create a paved bike path from Iron Horse Park near I675 & Village South School in C’Ville north to David Rd. in Kettering. It follows the old Penn Central RR track easement. Storm pipes are being placed at this time. You can see progress as you cross both Whipp and Rahn Rds. This will be a 10’ asphalt paved path. Work should be completed by the end of September.
Quote by Freddie Mercury of Queen “Get on your bikes and ride”
By Aaron
July 23, 2008 8:27 AM | Link to this
Jim, You are stupid.
By Oldtimer
July 23, 2008 7:50 AM | Link to this
Years ago (it seems like eons, now) the corridor was proposed as the route for DART (Dayton Area Rapid Transit). That was envisioned as an electric light rail system to connect the southern suburbs to downtown Dayton. If sucessful, it would have been the first leg of a system to connect north, south, east and west areas. High costs and lack of funding doomed the proposal.
By Mike Up North
July 23, 2008 7:39 AM | Link to this
More light rail comments… seriously? I am a huge bike path supporter/user. I think these types of amenities really do attract desirable “neighbors” to the community. While I think they benefit the entire city, there should probably be a bit more burden placed on users to foot some portion of the bill. Not talking about a pay to ride scheme, just some sort of community fund raising effort. Only seems fair.
By Jim
July 23, 2008 4:57 AM | Link to this
I think wasting money on a new bike way is foolish because bike riders don’t use the 5 trails we spent money on now. They ride on narrow county roads where cars and trucks traveling 50-60 mph just begging to get hit. Bikes should have to be licensed,riders should be licensed with schooling like motorcyclists and insurance should be mandatory. Also riders should get a ticket for riding on a road or a street riding slower than the posted speed limit.
By SwissMiss
July 23, 2008 1:07 AM | Link to this
Karon, the people who would be riding this bike path (in nice weather, of course) for fun or for commuting are not the same people who would ride your light rail. You’ve said that the rail would be for getting to Columbus, Cleveland, etc. How would a bike path threaten that? Bike riding is healthier for your body, for the environment, and for the city/state budget, and safer too! The suburbs are already there, you can’t tear them down, might as well make the most of what we have already.
By karon
July 22, 2008 11:59 PM | Link to this
One more thing about these bikes are they safe to ride in the snow and ice? I think not, Dayton has brutal winters. High speed trains can go right threw the snow and ice no problem. Dayton Ohio has built this sprawling on cheap oil. Cheap oil days are over with. Dayton Ohio must wake up and build more responsibly.
By karon
July 22, 2008 11:29 PM | Link to this
It seems the state of Ohio always has plenty of money for roads, austin pike will get the money for there new highway more urban and exburb sprawl. This is NOT good. Dayton Ohio has the worst urban sprawl in the United States. When it comes to trains and monorails Ohio never seems to have money for that, Cleveland does have monorail and the state of Ohio supports that. Dayton Ohio must plan for transportation for the 21st century and this includes high speed passenger trains and monorails!
By Sarah
July 22, 2008 11:05 PM | Link to this
I remember riding this bike path off of Irving as a kid with my parents. It was going downhill at that time. It was still clear and not overgrown etc. I always thought it was so neat because of the tunnel. It was one of my favorite bike rides.
By Garry
July 22, 2008 10:20 PM | Link to this
When we moved her 30 years ago, I heard talk of starting a interurban train using the rail right of way though Centerville and Kettering. Unfortunately, no one had the forsight to carry out such a plan. I agree with all the positive aspects of doing the smart thing to turn this “path” into a multi-purpose bikeway/walking trail. I hope the planners will not miss this opportunity to create a drawing card for the communities-Go 4 it!
By Garry
July 22, 2008 10:19 PM | Link to this
When we moved her 30 years ago, I heard talk of starting a interurban train using the rail right of way though Centerville and Kettering. Unfortunately, no one had the forsight to carry out such a plan. I agree with all the positive aspects of doing the smart thing to turn this “path” into a multi-purpose bikeway/walking trail. I hope the planners will not miss this opportunity to create a drawing card for the communities-Go 4 it!
By SwissMiss
July 22, 2008 10:10 PM | Link to this
There’s a trail that runs near my house on the Centerville/Kettering border. I think it’s called the Iron Horse Trail, and one end is south of Iron Horse Park near 675. I’ve ridden it north to Rahn Rd. but no farther, not knowing where it would take me. I’ve found outdated information about plans to make it, but no current map of the trail is online. Apparently it’s quite long. Not paved, but the section near me is well-treed, so it’s a nice shady ride.
By Tom in Kettering
July 22, 2008 9:16 PM | Link to this
I have wondered for years why that rail was not converted to a bikeway or walk way for pedestrians. However I can hear the Oakwood residents screaming to the top of their lungs. NOT IN MY BACKYARD!
By Bill Pout
July 22, 2008 9:00 PM | Link to this
This is a pretty good idea, but I’m sure Papa Ubu will exploit it. Anything to to tell fat jokes about me and other members of the Dayton Daydream Class!
By Dan Kennedy
July 22, 2008 8:25 PM | Link to this
Would people cut it out with the intra city lightrail and monorail stuff, Dayton just does not have the density for fixed line high capacity public trans, we have a good bus system, expand it if there is a need!
FYI, all transportation systems are subsidized from the Roman roads to highways, streets, ports, airports, canals, rail and yes, multi-use paths. That argument is a non-starter. And public money is for ‘transportation’ needs, not just roads. (Our foreign oil dependency makes us weak.
By Dan Kennedy
July 22, 2008 8:11 PM | Link to this
This is a great idea! It ties into, if it’s not already on, the Bikeway (multi-use path) study that MVRPC is struggling to adopt. How easy this should be to just pave. It’s already graded and the right-of-way must still be secure if sewer lines run under it. Come on, this is an easy win for regionalism. It’s like being pro family, flag and apple pie, nobody will be against you. If the Dayton Commissioners and the other elected municipal leaders can’t get behind this and make it happen, how can they do anything? If there is money to slosh around for stupid stuff like making all the streets downtown two way (anti-pedestrian and supports no business need) then there is surely a few dollars for a six foot wide stripe of asphalt. PS. Get Five Rivers Metro Parks to run and police the path for you, they do a great job with theirs!
By justme
July 22, 2008 8:01 PM | Link to this
I say hecks no unless the bike commuters pay for it all
By Freedom Writer
July 22, 2008 7:39 PM | Link to this
It would be nice to have an area where a person could easily get to downtown from the south subs and back. And to let everyone know, my home backs up to this thru way being discussed. Ive always believe it would have made an excellent are for a mono-rail type of thing. No im not Karon either.I really enjoyed my walk thru a very quiet part of town, and walking that stretch only took me about 45 min to an hour at most. It could be done, but may take alot of peoples attention to do it. Go 4 it.
By Freedom Writer
July 22, 2008 7:33 PM | Link to this
I had an opportunity to travel this path back about 2 yrs ago. Nice shortcut between Dayton UD area and the back side of the former DESC site. You wouldnt believe the amount of wildlife i saw there. I even spotted 3 deer just about a 1/4 mile from the Irving end of this trail. Sewer or trail, its still nice to have this available to get from A-B. Perhaps the cities could encourage the right of way owners to donate this land for the better of the communtiy. What else are they going to do with it.
By Paul G
July 22, 2008 7:11 PM | Link to this
I’m all for a new multi-use trail. [In the winter they can be used for cross-country skiing] I’m mainly writing to note that bikes DO BELONG on streets No matter how full of hazards they may be, roads are for all vehicles, cyclists too. The trails are quieter and usually maintained in better condition than most roads so they have great value to all Dayton’s folks. My caution is some motorists seem to perceive that since multi-use trails exist, then cyclists should stay off roads. FALSE!
By Jonesy
July 22, 2008 6:22 PM | Link to this
We used to play and rides our bikes through that area when we were kids, 30+ years ago… I remember parts of it being a sewer access road, not a bike trail. Would be nice to have though… Nice sales plug from the guy at K&G Bike Center. Most of the rest of the world eats rice twice a day, are we expected to do that too? Why don’t we strive to make the rest of the world as good as the US, instead of lessening what we do. And I DO AGREE, we need to conserve fuel, my statement isn’t about that.
By josh
July 22, 2008 5:52 PM | Link to this
Things must really be going well for Dayton & Kettering if this is the sort of thing their leaders want to spend money on.
By John Weber
July 22, 2008 4:59 PM | Link to this
As a resident of Kettering who lives along this “hidden” trail on Acorn, I would love to see it developed. I have on occasion used the mentioned trail to avoid climbing the hill on Irving but have not used it lately after seeing the NO TRESSPASSING sign. It is VERY Run down and only really passable with a good mountain bike. During the summer months I try to bike to work (downtown) at least twice a week if not more and a developed trail would be alot better than trying to fight traffic.
By Centerville cyclist
July 22, 2008 4:26 PM | Link to this
Ever since I moved to the Dayton area I have been shocked at the limited access bicycles have within the cities. This area is perfect for commuting to work because it is fairly small and many, many people live within biking distance of their jobs. I’d be more than happy to participate in a clean-up effort or a fund raising effort for this project.
By Christine
July 22, 2008 4:08 PM | Link to this
I am originally from the Belmont area and jsut moved to Missoula, Montana and they have bike lanes on every road in the city here. Very good at promoting biking here. Too bad the city of Dayton is slow in trying to create anything that would actually benefit the community. How much did those stupid fountains cost in the river that STILL don’t work right??? Get a clue Dayton!
By Kevin
July 22, 2008 3:58 PM | Link to this
I have often thought of this route. I use to play around those tracks 35 years ago when abandoned rail cars were still on the tracks, in Oakwood, on Patterson near Marion’s Pizza. It’s a great idea. $100,000 for the Kettering leg….. please, how much does Kettering pay for fireworks each year? $25K, 50K… it should have been purchased years ago.
By SuprCamper
July 22, 2008 3:58 PM | Link to this
I’ve had my eye on this stretch of trail-to-be for some time. It would be a great asset for practical transportation as well as recreation. Progress may seem slow around Dayton, but this looks like a no-brainer to me. I think it’s just a matter of time …
By steve
July 22, 2008 3:52 PM | Link to this
I found it humorous that none of the city officials were optimistic due to lack of $$, yet if it were about fountains and flight, they would be all over it. Montgomery County residence; remember this when the county ask for a renewal to the 5-river metropark levy that helped pay for those usless fountains. Kettering residence, remember this when the city puts a parks and recreation levy on the ballot this fall.
By Tw resient
July 22, 2008 3:50 PM | Link to this
And it is level! Much easier to bike than the Irving Ave hill. Would be great. And many cyclists and revelers at Kramer’s would volunteer to clean it up, I for one. How about UD’s bicycling club taking it on as a service project?
By Steve
July 22, 2008 3:38 PM | Link to this
The abandoned railroad from Kramers on Irving Ave crossed Shroyer at the Dayton/Oakwood line, through Kettering crossing Dorothy Lane, Marshall & Stroop, down through Centerville across Whipp near Hewitt, and used to course behind and beyond Centerville Mill. I ran that rout in the 80s and tried to encourage municipalities to create a walking/biking trail or perhaps pave it and create a commuter bus route with express stops. I found nothing but deaf ears. This is a VERY non-progressive region.
By arniez
July 22, 2008 3:18 PM | Link to this
While those of us who have lived in the area have known about this for years, it is in disrepair for the very reason that is noted with each picture… It is a “City of Dayton sewer access road” and not a bike or walking trail. Yes, those would be great uses, but the fact remains, it is posted NO TRESPASSING due to the dangerous nature of the roadway and the nature of its current purpose. Somehow, the DDN glorifying and publicizing this as a trail in its current condition seems irresponsible.
By City Resident
July 22, 2008 3:16 PM | Link to this
Great idea! Save money and get some free exercise too!