Winter Solstice Brings New Trail Entrance for Headwaters Trail in Mantua

On Tuesday, December 21, in celebration of the Solstice, the Portage Park District proudly cut the ribbon on a 1,000-foot trail extension connecting the existing Headwaters Trail to Mennonite Road 25’ above the trail via an accessible paved ramp with railings. The trail now ends at Mennonite Road with a landing and signage. Trailhead parking is available at 4633 Mill St. west of SR 44, Mantua Village.

“This is another example of a great community asset made possible by public/private partnerships at local and state levels. We greatly appreciate the collaboration of Mantua Village, the Downtown Mantua Revitalization Corporation (DMRC), the Clean Ohio Trails program, and local park levy funds that enabled us to match the grant and implement the project”, said Christine Craycroft, Executive Director. “It’s exciting to think of our future potential for the trail here, and around the county”.

Considered phase VII of the Headwaters Trail project, Portage Park District developed the project in partnership with the Village of Mantua who leases the former railroad corridor to the Park District. The State of Ohio provided a ~$137,500 Clean Ohio Trails grant that covered 75% of the project cost, with matching funds from the Park District and a $10,000 contribution from the DMRC. Project plans were developed by Karpinski Engineering with King Excavating serving as the primary contractor.

The extension provides trail access to and from Mennonite Road and sets the stage for the future Headwaters Trail Phase VIII, 2.7 miles from Mennonite Road to Chamberlain Road in Mantua Township.