Marion Township officials pitch bicycle path project

CELINA - Marion Township officials aim to construct a 2.1-mile bike path and establish 5.4 acres of permanent green space as part of the $1.2 million Marion Township Greenway Phase I project.

Marion Township Trustee Robert Unrast and Marion Community Development Organization Infrastructure Chairman Nick Moeller on Thursday morning revealed plans to county commissioners.

Commissioners afterward indicated they will pass a resolution in support of the ambitious initiative, which largely hinges on whether officials can land an Ohio Public Works Commission Green Space Conservation Program grant that would cover 75 percent of the cost.

Marion Township trustees will apply for a grant in January, Moeller said, adding he thinks officials have a pretty good plan in place.

Plans call for the creation of a 2.1-mile paved bike path from the Marion Township Park to the Maria Stein Industrial Park and the designation of 5.4 acres of green space currently owned by the Spiritual Center of Maria Stein, Moeller said.

"The conservation easement that we are applying for (in) this grant … is on the west side of the Spiritual Center of Maria Stein's property," he explained. "It is just to the east of the village of Chickasaw's sewage ponds."

Spiritual Center officials have signed a letter of intent to donate the 5.4 acres of land, he said.

"The access to that easement will be via the Marion Township Park parking lot and from that parking lot we'd like to create a path through the … park grounds and then into this farmland, which is owned by the Sisters of the Precious Blood," he continued.

The sisters have signed a letter of intent to sell the property, he noted.

"The bike path would go to the west of that green space and then continue on to the newest planned industrial park of Maria Stein. That land was recently purchased by Marion Community Land Development LLC, and we are working with them to incorporate the bike path along their streets," he said.

Officials so far have garnered letters of support from Marion Local Schools Superintendent Michael Pohlman and the Mercer County Soil and Water Conservation District, Moeller said.

They also have the support of private landowners along the path, he noted, saying officials designed the path to maintain the privacy enjoyed by residents and businesses.

"There's quite a few people excited about it," Unrast said. "You've got to look ahead for the future."

Officials continue to seek funds to cover the local match if awarded the state grant. They have the commitments from several businesses and entities.

Those interested in donating toward the project can visit marioncommunities.com.