Remember when? The central “spine” of the Anderson Township Network of hike and bike trails, the Five Mile Trail, opened for the first time on July 20, 2007.
This critical element of the township’s bike plan is one of the most popular paths in the township. It links the State Road-Five Mile Road area with Turpin High School and the Newtown Road area. In the past decade, the site has been home to thousands of walkers, joggers, strollers and bicyclists, plus a few 5 K runs.
Since completion, the trail has enjoyed the addition of more parking and restrooms located at the trailhead on Newtown Road, connecting sidewalks along State, Clough, Hunley and Newtown roads with an access walkway to Lawyer Road, and the extension of the trail itself from State Road to the Anderson Towne Center.
The almost 2.5-mile path links several thousand homes to each other and with the Anderson Branch Library, Anderson HealthPlex, Anderson Hospital-Mercy Health, several schools, and provides easy walking access to Anderson Center and Anderson Towne Center. It has not only become the focus of the Anderson Trails network, but one of the most popular amenities in Anderson Township.
The project entailed nearly a decade in the development/design/planning stages, including securing right of way and permission to utilize land owned by Hamilton County, as well as efforts to address property owner concerns, reduce costs, and obtain funding. Ultimately, township TIF monies were joined with grants from the Ohio Department of Natural Resources (the Clean Ohio Trails Fund) and a federal transportation grant from the Ohio Department of Transportation (through the OKI Regional Council of Governments) to advance the project.
The trail has received numerous awards over the years, including “Best of the East Fitness Trail” in 2015 from Cincinnati Magazine. Following construction in 2007, the trail won the American Society of Highway Engineers with the Donald C. Schramm Transportation Improvement Award for Excellence.
Construction began in early 2006 and 10 Years ago this afternoon, the trail was officially opened. Happy Birthday Five Mile Trail and thanks to all who helped make this a reality!