MOUNT VERNON — Repaving of the Kokosing Gap Trail is set to move forward after two years of planning.
Knox County Park District Director David Heithaus told county commissioners he expects work to start in the next few weeks.
The district received a $1.14 million Transportation Alternative Program (TAP) grant to help underwrite the cost. Commissioners awarded the project to Small’s Asphalt Paving, which bid $929,941.
Heithaus said the project will start at the Mount Vernon end of the trail.
“Probably from Mount Vernon Avenue all the way to Layman will be closed for the initial milling and repaving,” Heithaus said.
He expects that initial section to take at least five days.
“Then they’ll be closing it in reasonable chunks as they progress toward Danville,” he said.
The district will post detour signs as the paving progresses.
“Hopefully people will still be able to enjoy that section of the Ohio to Erie Trail without terrible disruption to their route,” he said.
“Generally speaking, Knox County roads are pretty easy to navigate. Even the area where the bridge is being worked on in Howard, that should be complete, so we’ll be able to take people up Howard-Danville Road to get them around that section.”
Preparation work ahead of the repaving included tree trimming, culvert replacement and berm reinforcement.
The project will also smooth out the transition between the asphalt and bridge decking.
“So we’re in very good shape for getting the crews out there. A lot of credit for that goes to the Kokosing Gap Trail volunteer board,” Heithaus said.
HOOT and Mohican Valley Trail
The district did not get a recreational trails grant for culvert and berm repairs on the Heart of Ohio Trail.
A more urgent issue is a sinking culvert on the trail near Updike Road.
“I wouldn’t call it a flat-out hazard yet, but if it sinks much more, it’ll be hard to navigate on a narrow-tired fast bike,” Heithaus said.
“Our thinking now is we’ll probably go out there and spread some asphalt on top of that to lift everything up until we can find the money. The quote for that is not six figures, but it’s not all that far from it.”
The Mohican Valley Trail Board has reformed and plans to host a benefit auction in September to raise money for equipment.
Heithaus talked with Knox County Prosecutor Chip McConville and Holmes County officials about plowing the trail section from the Holmes County line to Danville since the Amish use the trail as a commuter route.
“There’s precedent in Holmes County to do that plowing if it’s under the banner of this is being used for getting people from A to B for the purposes of work or groceries or something similar,” Heithaus said.
“We would not pursue that on any of the other trails, because they’re not generally used for that purpose. Essentially, you’re taking it out of this category of a recreational asset … but it’s also being used for daily life.”
Heithaus said the district repaved the trail in part because it offers a safer route than U.S. 62 for the Amish community traveling between Holmes County and Danville.
“By not plowing it, we’re actually pushing those same people out onto 62 at the time of year you least want them on 62,” he said.
E-bikes a growing concern
Heithaus said a national conversation is underway about electric bikes on shared-use paths.
“Ohio is one of the states where that discussion is the most robust,” he said. “The short answer is there’s not really an answer to it now.”
The state classifies most of the bikes as bicycles rather than motor vehicles, meaning there is no legal way to prohibit them outside of an ordinance.
“Even if you did, the issue on bike paths for any bad behavior has always been enforcement,” Heithaus said. “If you’re not in a municipal area where you have actual police officers who are patrolling those paths, it’d be very, very difficult to enforce speed limits, or really anything at all.”
Centerburg and Mount Vernon are discussing the issue.
Heithaus said he is not against putting limits on e-bikes but has reservations.
“I would continue to be worried about enforcement,” he said.
In other park news:
• District staff continue to search for funding sources to enhance river access landings.
• Residents are steadily reserving the event shelter at Woodlands Park. Heithaus hopes to install electric and water at the pavilion next year.
• The district is in the final phase of applying for Clean Ohio funds to buy 40 acres adjacent to The Woodlands. Heithaus expects a response by October.
• Staff are somewhat behind on mowing due to increased acreage to maintain, reduced staffing, and time spent clearing downed limbs from recent storms.
• The park district board is considering putting a levy on in November 2027.
