Goals for the master plan include: Identifying strategies for strengthening and expanding western Hamilton County’s blueway. A blueway, or water trail, is a network of connected waterways featuring managed access points, clear signage, and recreational amenities for canoeists, kayakers, and other paddlers to enjoy. Identifying access point locations and developing design concepts for four to five canoe/kayak launch sites along the blueway trail Preparing for a shared-use trail along the Great Miami River corridor Opportunities also being explored as part of the master plan development include: Establishing new shared-use trails; planning new water launches for canoes and kayaks along the Great Miami and Whitewater rivers Finding opportunities to create educational space Identifying existing points of interest and locations for additional corridor amenities such as rustic camping facilities Promoting the history and culture of the corridors Identifying possible habitat restoration opportunities

Great Parks is in a unique position to be the regional leader for conservation and connections. As part of our fulfillment of the 2019 Comprehensive Master Plan, Great Parks established a district-wide strategy to connect Hamilton County as a system of parks, conservation areas, paved trails, unpaved trails and blueways. This will protect the county’s natural resources through conservation and land use while inviting residents of, and visitors to, Hamilton County to connect with nature through both self-directed and guided exploration. It will also inspire users to adopt conservation practices in their homes and businesses.

The system will span Hamilton County from north to south and crosses through five townships located in the western third of the county: Harrison, Crosby, Colerain, Miami, and Whitewater. The West Region Blueway follows the Whitewater River and Great Miami River and the shared use path will be located within the Great Miami River corridor. Below is a map of the study area.

The Blueway trail will be approximately 36 miles long. This includes 27 miles along the Great Miami River and approximately nine miles along the Whitewater River. The shared-use trail will travel along the Great Miami River corridor, from the City of Fairfield in Butler County to where the Great Miami meets the Ohio River near Great Parks' Shawnee Lookout park. Its exact length is not yet known as that will depend on the trail's final route, which is currently being developed.

We are currently focusing on development of the master plan, which is anticipated to be completed in 2024. The blueway and trail system will be built in phases and the construction timing for each phase will be determined based on several factors including the availability of funding and site control. As part of the master plan development process, we will be preparing a timeline that will identify our target dates for the implementation of each phase of work.

We are currently in the master planning phase and specific costs have not yet been developed.

Great Parks will be responsible for funding project components located on park properties. We’re working to develop partnerships with local communities and jurisdictions to help secure funding and construction management for project components located outside park boundaries.

The Great Miami Riverway is the nation’s largest paved trail network trail and Ohio’s first National Water Trail. It stretches across 99 miles, from Sidney to Middletown and the Hamilton-Fairfield area and has made the Great Miami River a regional and national destination for walkers, hikers, bikers, and paddlers. It travels through a variety of landscapes, from urban skylines and river vistas, to parklands and gently rolling hills. For more information, visit the Great Miami Riverway website.

The Ohio River Way connects people and communities to opportunities for adventure on and along the Ohio River from Portsmouth, Ohio, to West Point, Kentucky. For more information, visit OhioRiverWay.org.

The Ohio River Trail is a riverfront trail that spans 22 miles along the Ohio River from Smale Park in Cincinnati to New Richmond, Ohio. Click here for more information.

We are planning a number of opportunities for people to learn about the West Region Blueway & Trail System and participate in the development process. Visit our Participate page for more information.

We welcome your input! You can submit questions and ideas on our Contact Us page.

A blueway, or water trail, is a network of connected waterways featuring managed access points, clear signage, and recreational amenities for canoeists, kayakers, and other paddlers to enjoy.

The Blueway trail will be approximately 36 miles long. This includes 27 miles along the Great Miami River and approximately nine miles along the Whitewater River.

The West Region Blueway follows two prominent rivers in southwest Ohio – the Whitewater River and the Great Miami River.

Part of the master plan development study is to determine where launch sites will be located. More specific information will be available later this year.

The project team is seeking public input regarding the amenities and types of programming people want at the various launch point locations. Options range from parking lots and public restrooms to paddling courses and water safety classes. We will also be on the lookout for opportunities to incorporate other recreational activities, such as rustic camping, into the project.

Great Parks will manage the construction and maintenance of trails, river access points, educational facilities, and other assets located on park land. Local communities and jurisdictions will manage the construction and maintenance of trail connections and segments that fall in between Great Parks’ properties.

Approximately 160 miles long, the Great Miami River originates from Indian Lake, located roughly 15 miles southeast of Lima, Ohio. It flows southwest through several counties including Montgomery and Butler, and passes through the cities of Sidney, Piqua, Troy, Dayton, Middletown and Hamilton before crossing into northern Hamilton County. From there, it passes through Great Parks’ Miami Whitewater Forest, Mitchell Memorial Forest and Shawnee Lookout parks and empties into the Ohio River.

Originating in Indiana, the Whitewater River passes through Metamora and Brookville, Indiana, before crossing into southern Ohio, just south of the City of Harrison. It travels through Great Parks’ Campbell Lakes Preserve (known for its fishing and other water-based activities) before joining the Great Miami River approximately a mile south of I-275.

Once the launch points are created, you’ll be able to launch most non-motorized watercrafts, such as kayaks, canoes, paddleboards, etc.

Great Parks will manage the construction and maintenance of trails, river access points, educational facilities, and other assets located on park land. Local communities and jurisdictions will manage the construction and maintenance of trail connections and segments that fall in between Great Parks’ properties.

The shared-use trail will travel along the Great Miami River corridor, from the City of Fairfield in Butler County to where the Great Miami meets the Ohio River near Great Parks' Shawnee Lookout park. Its exact length is not yet known as that will depend on the trail's final route, which is currently being developed.

The route for the shared-use trail will generally follow the Great Miami River corridor, however, its specific alignment is not yet known. Specific routing will be determined as part of the master plan development process.

The project team is seeking public input regarding the amenities and types of programming people want to have along the shared-use trail. Options range from parking lots and public restrooms to picnic areas and connections with other trails. We will also be on the lookout for opportunities to incorporate other recreational activities, such as hiking and rustic camping, into the project.

Yes, the path is anticipated to be paved with asphalt.

As part of the project, we are developing route concepts for a shared-use path along the Great Miami River corridor. The shared-use trail will also pass by Mitchell Memorial Forest, which offers excellent mountain biking opportunities.