MOUNT VERNON — The Knox County Park District will use a $1.14 million Transportation Alternatives Program grant to repave the Kokosing Gap Trail.
The grant represents 80% of the project cost. Park District Director Dave Heithaus said he is confident the district can raise the $200,000 to $300,000 match over the next few years.
Repaving is planned for 2026. County Engineer Cameron Keaton will serve as the project engineer.
“The entire path will be milled down,” Heithaus told the commissioners last week. “Not quite back to the rail bed, but as close as you can get. We want it to last another 20 years.”
District staff and Grassbaugh LLC completed the parking lot improvements at Zuck Riparian Reserve. Heithaus anticipates starting improvements to the lot at Mount Vernon Avenue early this month and in Greer later this summer.
Community organizations continue to clean up litter near Kokosing River access points.
“I think our big issue is when trees come down in the river or on a bridge,” Heithaus said. “It’s not real clear whose responsibility it is, but it’s a safety issue and very expensive.”
Heithaus said it is the Ohio Department of Natural Resources’ responsibility because ODNR designated the Kokosing a scenic river.
“We will do everything to help, but we’re not going to assume responsibility for the entire river,” he told the commissioners, adding that ODNR’s policy is to drag everything out of a scenic river.
“Within reason, we’re going to do whatever we can, but otherwise, it’s the state’s responsibility.
“If it was not a scenic river, our options for managing for safety would be a lot better,” he added.
Miscellaneous
Regarding the Heart of Ohio Trail, crews completed resealing the section from Clayton Road to the county line.
Additionally, the Midway Station project in Centerburg is still in process.
The disc golf course is open and ready to play at Thayer Ridge Park. The Knox County Park District is working on getting signage for the disc golf and horse park.
Thanks to a donor’s gift, the district hired a third intern. Heithaus said they have been extremely hard-working.
“Right now, it’s an internship of toil. Next year, I’d like to reconfigure the program to expand their skill sets,” Heithaus said.
Looking to the next capital appropriations requests, Heithaus said he would like to upgrade the dirt floor in the garage on Upper Gilchrist Road.
“Right now we have to trailer everything to Lytle Road to work on maintenance in the winter,” he explained.
Heithaus envisions a single-story, 2,500-square-foot insulated building with a concrete floor and maintenance bay. He estimates a cost of around $400,000.