Project Updates
January 2024 Update
Happy new year from Great Parks! As we look back at 2023, we wanted to share a quick update on the great progress we’re making on the West Region Blueway & Trail System master plan.
Last year, our focus was on introducing the West Region Blueway & Trail System concept to the public and gathering input regarding the connections and features it should offer. We’ve been delighted with the overwhelmingly positive response and support that the concept has received!
PUBLIC INPUT
Over the summer, we held well-attended in-person and virtual open houses through which we learned how our community would use both the water and shared-use trails, what’s important to them, and which local points of interest the system could connect to. We also learned more about the challenges experienced with getting into and paddling along the Great Miami and Whitewater rivers and when bicycling around the west side of Hamilton County.
In the fall, we dove deeper into the details by hosting a series of focus groups that explored issues and opportunities related to recreation, environmental and local history education, planning, and economic development.
We also met several times with the West Region Blueway & Trail System Advisory Committee, whose members represent organizations and communities throughout the region. They gave us further insight into the opportunities that the blueway and shared-use trail system offers, as well as the potential challenges of bringing the plan from concept to reality. In addition, we gave presentations to multiple community councils throughout western Hamilton County and staffed information booths at community events like Paddlefest.
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MASTER PLAN DEVELOPMENT PROCESS
We’ve been using the information gathered from the public, as well as the results of many technical studies we’ve also completed last year, to develop a framework for the master plan.
At this point, we’ve identified a series of possible locations for new blueway access and launch points and are in the midst of completing additional detailed engineering and environmental studies related to each. We’re also closing in on a recommended route for the shared-use trail, as well as some possible alternative routes. These, too, are currently undergoing additional evaluation and a high-level engineering review. Though we’re not quite finished with this phase of work yet, we’re very pleased with the progress made to date.
NEXT STEPS
Over the next few months, we will be completing our evaluations and refining our recommendations for blueway access point locations and for the shared-use trail. Once that’s complete, we will share them with you for review and input, likely in the spring. Your feedback at that point will be very important and will be used to help determine which recommendations will be included in the final master plan.
We expect to complete the master plan in the summer, at which point, our focus will begin turning toward planning for implementation, which will begin in upcoming years.
THANK YOU
Thank you for your continued interest and involvement in the development of the West Region Blueway & Trail System. This is such an exciting project for us and for our region – we’re so glad to have you be part of the development process!
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