New Scenic Bikeway Connects Austin Interchange Area To Regional Bikeway Network

After four months of construction, a new segment of the regional bikeway system has been added in south Montgomery County. Medlar Bikeway, opening Thursday, Oct. 31, was made possible thanks to a unique partnership between various local organizations. The bikeway makes a significant step toward a southern connection between the Great Miami River and the Little Miami River bikeways, the region’s two main arterial trails.

 

Participating partners of the project include Five Rivers MetroParks, Miami Township, Montgomery County Transportation Improvement District, The Ohio Department of Transportation, City of Miamisburg, Montgomery County and Miamisburg City Schools District.

 

Construction began in June at Five Rivers MetroParks’ Medlar Conservation Area. The completed bikeway links the Austin Road Interchange at I-75 to the Great Miami River Bikeway.

 

Riders can access the new trail from the Great Miami River Bikeway north of Crains Run Park south of Miamisburg, or from MetroParks’ Medlar Conservation Area at the southwest corner of Medlar Road and Miamisburg Springboro Pike. Medlar Bikeway will add to the Miami Valley’s regional bikeway network, the largest in the nation with over 330 miles of paved, off-road bike paths.

 

The public is invited to participate in a ribbon cutting ceremony after which Five Rivers MetroParks staff and local bike clubs will lead riders on the first ride on the two-mile  bikeway. The path leads riders through wetlands, ravines, and mature forest to a hilltop vista.

 

The ribbon cutting ceremony will be held Thursday, October 31, at 10 a.m. at the Medlar Conservation Area, 4558 Medlar Road (rain or shine). Attendees are asked to park at the Miamisburg Soccer Complex at 4350 Medlar Rd. Shuttles will bus attendees to and from the ceremony. Accommodations will be available for the handicapped. Those planning to attend are asked to RSVP to [email protected].

Learn more about the largest connected bikeway network in the country by visiting www.metroparks.org/cycling or calling (937) 275-PARK (7275).