MONTGOMERY TOWNSHIP — The paved trails at Tom Kruse Wildlife Conservation Park are officially open to the public after a ribbon cutting ceremony on Saturday morning.
“These aren’t just walkways: they’re a way to bring people closer to the outdoors and make the parks easier for everyone to enjoy,” Ashland County Park District Director Eric Schneider said in his remarks before cutting the ribbon.
The trails opened months before their anticipated completion date, which was slated for wintertime, but construction is not complete.
Eventually, there will be paved trails around the pond near County Road 1754, adding roughly half a mile to the existing 1.5 miles of paved trails. That will also include a boardwalk over the pond.
Schneider initially anticipated the boardwalk would be installed in the spring, but because completion of the trails was a quick turnaround, the boardwalk could come sooner.
“This is only the beginning. By next fall, we’ll be adding more paved trails, an expanded fishing dock, parking lot lighting, new tree plantings and even a nature playscape for kids and families to enjoy,” Schneider said.
“Today we’re celebrating more than a trail; we’re celebrating our ongoing commitment to creating parks that encourage everyone to escape, explore and enjoy the natural beauty of Ashland County.”
Schneider announced the grand opening earlier this week, and he has already seen people coming to check out the trails.
The trails are funded through $1.2 million from the State Capital Improvement Fund and the Clean Ohio Green Space Conservation Program.
Schneider thanked State Rep. Melanie Miller and State Sen. Mark Romanchuk for their help in securing the local match funds through the Capital Improvement Community Recreation Project.
After the ribbon cutting, Park Board of Commissioners members Robert DeSanto, Tom Kruse and Shane Kremser led visitors on a guided walk of the new trails.
Park visitors can enjoy the new trails at 748 County Road 1754 from dawn to dusk any day of the week.
