Prairie Grass Trail :
Ohio
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Description:
This beautifully maintained asphalt rail-trail stretches 29 miles from London to Xenia, generally following US Route 42. The northern trailhead is located in London, behind the senior citizen's center, and has a picnic pavilion and public restroom. The first mile west of London has several benches and another small picnic pavilion for trail users.
The trail takes a rural flavor immediately upon leaving London. The corridor has been planted with natural prairie grasses, surrounded by flat, open farmland. In keeping with the prairie grass landscape, there are few trees, which makes it important to keep your water bottles full.
After 10.4 miles you reach the small town of South Charleston.As it passes through town the trail diverts onto sidewalks for a half-mile. The South Charleston trailhead is highlighted by the wonderfully restored historic train depot; it also offers picnic tables, water, and restrooms. The community park surrounding the trailhead is also home to a red and a blue caboose that are being restored for public enjoyment.
The almost 10 miles between South Charleston and Cedarville are dominated by huge fields of corn and soybeans as far as the eye can see. There is virtually no tree cover, so you should protect yourself against wind and sun. The trail travels close to US Route 42 for much of the way, and also shares the corridor with power lines owned by Dayton Power and Light (which allowed an easement on the corridor that made the trail possible). About 7 miles after leaving South Charleston you cross the county line from Clark into Greene County.
In Cedarville, the trail travels beside Massie Park, with parking, playground equipment, water, and restrooms available. The Hearthstone Inn directly beside the trail on Main Street is accommodating to weary trail travelers, as is Main Street Station just across the street from the inn, which offers food and other refreshments.
The trail runs another 9 miles from Cedarville to the endpoint in Xenia. As you head out of town you pass a good-sized lake off to the right that is separated from the trail by a high chain-link fence. Just before the crossing at Murdock Road 1.7 miles out of Cedarville, there are a couple of benches and a nice overlook. This is a great rest stop, offering views of a small creek and the farms that surround the corridor. Keep an eye out as well for the monarch butterflies that are prevalent in the area. At about the halfway mark the trail becomes shaded by trees growing up to the edges of the route, a welcome respite from the summer sun. There is a busy crossing of Business Route 35 coming into the town of Xenia. Note that the bridge just across Jasper Road is made of fiber-reinforced composite materials, the first of its kind in Ohio. The final mile or so has many road crossings; follow the well-placed signs.
The trail's endpoint is at Xenia Station, a wonderfully restored train depot. The station is also the hub of Green County's extensive trail system. From here you can head east to Dayton on the Creekside Trail, south to Cincinnati or north to Springfield on the Little Miami Scenic Trail.
The Prairie Grass Trail is an important piece of the Ohio-to-Erie Trail, the extensive cross-state, 453-mile trail that is over halfway built.
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Parking & Trail Access:
The trailhead in London is behind a senior center that allows overflow parking in their lot. If you plan to park here overnight you must inform either the London City Police at 740-852-1414 or the Madison County Sheriff at 740-852-1212 of your plans and give them your license plate number. Take Interstate 70 to Urbana-London Road south. Turn right onto West High Street, then turn left onto Midway Road. The trailhead is on the right.
The Cedarville trailhead can be accessed from US Route 42. As you enter Cedarville go straight across Route 72. Take a right onto East Street and look for Massie Park and the trailhead on the left.
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Reviews: [1 trail ratings]
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Part Shutdown?
By matmanoh in November, 2010
The article below says they will be shutting down a section.
http://www.topix.net/forum/source/columbus-dispatch/T6HL8RD9K7KKAC7NV
2 day ride London to Yellow Springs, return to London 5 stars!
By janekaschak in August, 2010

We just completed our first ride on the Prairie Grass trail to Xenia then on to Yellow Springs on the Little Miami trail. As in previous posts, we found the trail very well maintained and very scenic. The rest areas in London, South Charleston, Xenia, Yellow Springs, were clean and beautiful. We planned a 2 day ride (100mi.) Staying overnight in Xenia at Victoria's B&B and returned to London the next day. I would recommend Sunscreen, insect repellant, lots of water. The payoff; beautiful flowers, birds, swarms of butterflies, geocaches, smooth riding on well marked trails, friendly well-mannered cyclists. We give it 5stars!
Straight as an arrow ride
By mlwberg in September, 2009
September 2009. I rode the 18 miles from Xenia to South Charleston. A bit tricky finding the trail when you exit Xenia Station, signs do not mark it well. Once on the trail, you can not get lost. It is a very straight path, with a slight uphill most of the way.

The section from Xenia to Cedarville has a good amount of shade. From there to S. Charleston, is mainly open. The paved asphalt surface is in very good condition. Several restaurants and shops in Cedarville.

This is not as scenic as the Little Miami trail, but a nice ride.
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A good place to stop and have lunch.
Trail Facts
Trail End Points: London, OH to Xenia, OH
Counties: Greene, Madison
Trail Length: 29 miles
Trail Category: Rail-Trail
Trail Surfaces: Asphalt
Trail Activities: Bike, Inline Skating, Wheelchair Accessible, Horseback Riding, Walking, Cross Country Skiing
TrailLink ID: 6121442

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Guidebook: Learn more about other Midwestern rail-trails in RTC's Midwestern Guidebook.
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