Oxford’s multi-purpose trail will run from the Black Covered Bridge to Hueston Woods State Park. (Lisa Gehring | The Miami Student)
The Oxford, Ohio community is working to preserve the area from the Black Covered Bridge to Hueston Woods to create a multi-purpose trail.
"Every map that we make involves the focus area of the Black Covered Bridge," Adam Ruiz, Intern for Three Valley Conversation Trust (TVCT) said. "We all take this project seriously. There is so much time and effort put toward this project and I think it's kind of incredible."
Three Valley Conversation Trust is a non-profit land conservation trust that works with communities and people to find ways to protect property according to Larry Frimerman, executive director of TVCT.
"People work with Three Valley if they are trying to protect the land from being developed," Frimerman said. "We are helping to save family farms, wildlife habitat and to preserve our streams and drinking water supply. With this particular project we are working with land owners and interested family farmers, MetroParks of Butler County and the Natural Resource Conservation Service to preserve this property."
The MetroParks of Butler County will be constructing the multi-use path and if MetroParks are unable to find funding they will wait for another public entity to provide funding.
"When you think about the private property rights in this area in particular, one recognizes that you can't take access to someone else's land," Frimerman said. "This is not easy and people have to want to do it. You have to have a willing partner to make a deal."
The idea is that a public entity like TVCT will own the historical portion of the property. A farmer would acquire some of the property with the help of a grant TVCT has secured to protect the land. This portion of the land will always remain farmland and has to be available for agriculture, according to Frimerman.
"This project can and will go forward with or without the creation of a trail," Frimerman said.
According to Frimerman, if the multi-used path is not created immediately then the land could be used for hiking and fishing in the stream. It would still be available for public access and recreational purposes.
TVCT has secured nearly 80 percent of the funding for the project with the farmer and the grant but another 20 percent needs to be secured with the help of public entities and private fundraising according to Frimerman.
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"I'm excited about the possibilities of a multi-purpose trail but in order to go forward we need public support. We have to walk before we can run," Frimerman said.
It is important for TVCT to be involved but we need the community on our side, Frimerman said.
"We think this project is a good idea for the community," Oxford Mayor Richard Keebler said. "This path will be a beautiful start to the Black Covered Bridge. Three Valley Trust relies on grants and donations to operate and they need funding. If they have the support of the city then this project will receive funding."
Frimerman believes the project would be a great benefit to the community.
"Support from the community is what will make this project happen. This is a project that Oxford has to get behind," Frimerman said. "A trial like this would benefit heritage, natural resources, agricultural and ecotourism."
"The idea for this project has been around for over 30 years and now it is time to continue to create awareness, funds and hopefully have students volunteer and donate their time to TVCT," said Frimerman.
Miami University sophomore Brianna Howard said, "The idea of having a multi-purpose path is a great for Oxford. I'm from a busy city and I never get the chance to experience the beauty of nature. I wish the path was complete so I could continue to enjoy this nice weather."
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