Piqua City Linear Park

The City of Piqua officially dedicated its 5.5 mile paved multi-use trail on May 6, 2001. Since then, the trail has received highly favorable reviews from bikers, rollerbladers, joggers and walkers. The trail has many sections and features, which have created a newfound identity for both passive and active recreation in Piqua. The trail was constructed on an abandoned railroad bed from the city's easternmost point to its westernmost point. Some of the trail's features include a planked renovated railroad bridge across the Great Miami River, a steel pedestrian bridge over State Route 36, a tunnel under Sunset Drive, numerous staging areas and twelve rest areas scattered throughout the trail. Sections: 1) Beginning on the east end of the trail, a staging area is located off Troy-Sidney Road. From the staging area, the first mile is a corridor lined with railroad ballast and trees on both sides. 2) At the end of the first mile, the trail crosses Looney Road and runs parallel to Patrizio Place. A rest area is located just to the west of Patrizio Place. Trail users can also park at the mall near Comfort Inn and access the trail just west of the railroad tracks. 3) From the railroad track access heading west, the bridge going over the Great Miami River is less than a mile away. The trail goes along the Shawnee section of the city and a rest stop is available midway in this section. Another rest area is located just east of the bridge. A set of steps equipped with a bike groove in the center awaits users at the west end of the bridge. Another staging area, Lock 9 Park, is just northeast of the steps and has a water fountain and off street parking. The Linear Park can also be accessed from Lock 9 Park. 4) From the steps, users can continue heading west through the downtown area. Street crossings at Main, Wayne, Downing and Roosevelt can easily be negotiated. The recent completion of the new City Municipal Government Complex provides another parking and access point to the trail. From Roosevelt, users will head up a hill to the College Street Bridge. The bridge goes over State Route 36 and heads into the French Park area. The area from French Park back to the Municipal building is lighted. Rest areas can be located behind City Hall, between Downing and Roosevelt and between Roosevelt and the College Street Bridge. 5) French Park is another staging area that provides access to the trail. The park is located at the corner of Water and Steele Streets and offers off-street parking, a picnic area and ramped access heading both east and west to the trail. Two more rest areas can be found at the highest point of French Park. The park also features green space, mature trees and will serve as a staging area and link to the city's planned eight-mile trail to be constructed in 2002 and 2003. From French Park heading west, it's less than a mile to the Sunset tunnel. The area is a mixture of grass berms and railroad ballast and offers mature trees on both sides of the trail. Another rest area can be found midway between French Park and the tunnel. 6) From the tunnel, it's less than a mile to a street crossing at RM Davis Parkway. The first half of this section offers mature trees and shade the majority of the day. Grass berms border the trail on both sides. The trail opens up" midway to Davis Parkway with wider grassy areas and 500 new seedlings along the edges of the berms. 7) From the street crossing at Davis Parkway, it's one mile to the trail's other end at Spiker Road. The majority of this section offers railroad ballast on both sides, agricultural areas to the north and another rest area. The end of the trail at Spiker Road offers another staging area and parking area. As described, the trail has many features. The railroad bridge over the Great Miami River offers a unique view of the city. French Park, a former junkyard, has been developed into an attractive green space with a plateau for picnickers as well as trail users. The land was generously donated by the French family. The entire trail, although dissecting the city, offers a feel of country" atmosphere in which users are oblivious to their proximity of the city. The trail was funded in part both from the Ohio Department of Natural Resources and the Ohio Department of Transportation. Signage on the trail often uses the acronym P.A.T.H. for rules and directions. The Piqua Activity Trail for Health has proven to be a great asset to the city. Planned for 2002 and 2003, another eight miles of paved trail will be constructed. This project will offer even more intrinsic features. The trail will run along the river's edge on the Great Miami River, on top of the river levee, through residential areas, along the towpath parallel to the river and along the city's hydraulic canal and lake system. For more information on the trail, call the Piqua Parks and Recreation Office at (937) 778-2085.

Directions to access points of the trail: Troy-Sidney Road-From I-75, head east on State Route 36 for one mile. Take a right on Troy-Sidney Road and the staging area is on the right about ½ mile south of 36. Miami Valley Centre Mall-Easy access from I-75 and 36, take 36 west from I-75 or follow 36 through Piqua from the west. Turn into mall entrance and follow road around to the Comfort Inn. Access to the trail is at the railroad track crossing. Lock 9 Park-From I-75, take 36 west into Piqua. Take a left at the first light and head straight into Lock 9 Park. You'll have to take a left on Water Street and a quick right into the parking area. From the west, take 36 through Piqua. Lock 9 Park will be on the right just past the intersection of Water and Main Streets. From 25-A south, take a right onto Water St. from Main Street. From 25-A north, take a left on Water St. from Main St. City Municipal Building-From I-75, take 36 west to the intersection of Water and Downing St. Turn left on Downing St. and parking is located in the rear of the Municipal complex. From 36 west, head into Piqua. After taking a right from College St. onto Water St., Municipal complex is ½ mile east on your right. Turn right onto Downing or Wayne Streets. Parking is located behind the municipal complex. From 25-A west, take a right off Main St. onto Water St. From 25-A east, take left onto Water St. Municipal Complex is up one block. Park in the rear of the complex. French Park-From I-75, take 36 west into Piqua. Stay on State Route 36 which turns into Water St. Stay on Water St., going straight through intersection at College St. French Park is 1/3 mile on your left. From 36 west, take a left on Sunset Drive (past K-Mart). Take a right on High St. and take a right on Steele St. at the bottom of the hill. Steele Street turns into Water Street. French Park will be on the right. From 25-A, (Main Street), turn west on Water St. to College St. Go straight at Water St. crossing College St. and French Park is up 1/3 mile on the left. Spiker Road-From I-75, stay on 36 west through Piqua. Just over a mile past K-Mart, turn right onto Spiker Road. Parking area is up ¼ mile on the right. From 36 west, turn left onto Spiker Road. From 25-A, get on 36 west from downtown. Follow 36 past K-Mart and turn right onto Spiker.