The Knox County Park District is using and seeking grants to repave the Kokosing Gap Trail and to fund maintenance on the Heart of Ohio Trail, Knox Park District Director David Heithaus told the Knox County Board of Commissioners during its May 7 meeting.
The announcement highlights ongoing efforts to maintain and improve local trails, which are used by residents for recreation and transportation. The projects aim to address infrastructure needs and ensure safety for trail users.
"We have applied for another grant, a Recreational Trails Program grant that went in in March. The intent for that is to partially fund some of the larger maintenance issues on the part of Ohio Trail. The big project there is a failing culvert out by Updyke Road, which is not quite safety hazard status, but it's at the point where we have signs saying Bump Ahead," Heithaus said, according to a video recording of the meeting.
Heithaus said that after ongoing discussions since he joined the park district, the Kokosing Gap Trail repaving project has reached its final stage. Small Sand and Gravel had the winning bid, which Heithaus believes can be covered by grant funds from the Transportation Alternatives Program. He said work can take place until September but no start date has been set yet. The Knox County Engineer's Office will manage this local project.
According to Heithaus, a third-party inspector has been hired to verify that work is done according to specifications. The commissioners approved an agreement with Terracon Consultants for construction inspection and administration for resurfacing of the Kokosing Gap Trail. The $88,650 bid was awarded during the board's May 5 meeting.
Other ongoing projects include drainage improvements on the Heart of Ohio Trail involving a ditch from an agricultural field draining into a pond, as well as hazard tree removal along several trails. According to Heithaus in the video recording, hazard tree removal has been completed on the Mohican Valley Trail, while work continues on the Heart of Ohio Trail through Centerburg toward Hoffman Road. He promised improved communication with residents about future work plans.
