One of my favorite features in this area is the Miami and Erie Canal Towpath — something that residents know about, but few actually enjoy on a regular basis, and that will not cost them a dime.
On the afternoon of Friday, Oct. 22, I went on the section of the towpath from 40-Acre Pond to the south — my first time walking the path in the fall.
The thing about the towpath, which follows the historic Miami and Erie Canal, is it is walkable, runnable or bikable in any season — I've done it in the spring and the summer, but I would recommend this season most of all because the colors are gorgeous.
For the majority of the path, trees line the walkway, and there are tons of wildlife — squirrels, deer and turtles that will roam the woods in the area. At some points on the towpath in the St. Marys section, walkers can see the canal on one side and the St. Marys River on the other.
According to Miami and Erie Canal Corridor Association Director Neal Brady, in Auglaize County the canal towpath spans 26 miles. Locally, the trail follows 2 miles of compacted stone from Minster to New Bremen, 1.5 miles from K.C. Geiger Park to 33 and 2 miles between Glynwood Road and 66.
"We're working on the trail from Deep Cut to Spencerville, approximately 1.3 miles," Brady said. "The local portions of the trail is all walkable, all enhanced with either compact stone or asphalt, whatever the city wanted."
The sections of the local portion were dedicated in various years — the section from St. Marys to 33 was the earliest, being dedicated in 2005.
"Glynwood Road to Lock 14 was completed last summer," Brady said. "We finished up a section up to Bloody Bridge that was dedicated in June 2009. The trail around Lock 14 was dedicated in June 2010."
He noted there is currently paving work going on in a section north of Lock 14 that will happen seasonally.
The St. Marys portion of the towpath is overseen by Steve Dorsten with the Ohio Department of Natural Resources Division of Parks and Recreation.
"Steve Dorsten is a major part of the construction between St. Marys and 33," Brady said. "He also oversees Glynwood Road to Lock 14."
He noted the towpath work is a result of collaboration between counties.
"We're working through Shelby County, Auglaize County, Allen County, to get the trail enhanced north of Delphos," Brady said. "Putnam, Paulding and Defiance, up to Hardin, organizations are making efforts to be done to open up the canal towpath and to get it enhanced."
In 1825, the construction of the Miami and Erie Canal began in Cincinnati, traveling north to Toledo — and local groups and organizations are working to make the path that lines it walkable, connecting the north and south parts of the state, as part of the Buckeye Trail.
"In another 10 years, we'd be very pleased if we could get it up to Toledo from Miami County," Miami and Erie Canal Corridor Association Director Neal Brady said. "It would be a linear, continuous trail."
Brady said the majority of the southern portion of the trail are paved bike trails.
"If it's not on the canal, it goes onto the county roads," Miami and Erie Canal Corridor Association Director Neal Brady said of the Buckeye Trail. "Then it comes back on the towpath trails."
He noted the trails are good for biking.
"If you have a hybrid trail bike, it's great for biking," he said, adding portions of the trail could be hard for riders with a city bike.
More information about the Buckeye Trail can be found at BuckeyeTrail.org or at MECCAInc.org.
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