The property was attractive to the district, in part, because of “quite a long stretch of the Great Miami River along its western border” and the accessibility that land offered for canoes and other activities, said Jerry Eldred, park district executive director.
In addition, at the same time the route for a section of the county bike trail was being finalized. Plans down the road include construction on the property of the link between the Piqua and Troy countywide bike trail sections.
A bridge over the river would lie between the Interstate 75 bridge to the south and the Peterson Road Bridge to the north. The bridge project has been delayed by environmental agencies requiring a study of the river for the rayed bean mussel and their relocation.
The land for the reserve was purchased for around $300,000 using a grant from the Clean Ohio Fund and park district levy dollars. After the purchase, five acres including the house were sold to a private individual.
A trail through the property may be cut in the future. Eldred said “it would be nice” if canoe access to the river could be established somewhere in the reserve.
For now, bicyclists can access the Piqua bike trail from the reserve’s parking lot, though riders are cautioned to be careful crossing Peterson Road, Eldred said.
A link to Troy to the south still needs the connecting section being built between Lytle Road and the Eldean Covered Bridge. A trail section already is in place north of the covered bridge, through the district’s Twin Arch Park and north to the area of the I-75 bridge over the interstate.
Contact this reporter at nancykburr@aol.com.
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