October 31: Kaptur Celebrates Acquisition Land for Westside Rail-to-Trail Corridor

Congresswoman Kaptur joined students at Beverly Elementary School and local officials to celebrate formal acquisition of an 11.6-mile corridor along the former CSX railroad line through Toledo.

Congresswoman Kaptur said the project, including almost $6 million in federal highway dollars, will "create jobs and connect our neighborhoods."

She made the announcement in the library of the new Beverly Elementary School in south Toledo.

"Trails enhance recreation and promote wellness in a vibrant community. I'm thrilled to know that generations from now, families will look back and thank all of our local partners for building our community forward," she said.

Kaptur praised the work of the Trust for Public Land (TPL), a leading national conservation organization, which facilitated the transfer of the former CSX track line to the new owners, including MetroParks of the Toledo Area, the city of Toledo, the University of Toledo, and the Wood County Port Authority.

TPL also facilitated the sale of the Maumee River bridge from CSX to the Wood County Port Authority.

"The popular vision for a new 11-mile trail in Toledo has reached a significant milestone," said Warren Henry, vice president of transportation, Toledo Metropolitan Area Council of Governments (TMACOG). "We now have an exceptional opportunity to develop a major north-south urban trail connecting homes, parks, schools, and workplaces using a clean, green, active, and safe travel option."

TMACOG has organized the partners on the Westside Rail to Trail project, which is at the core of their transportation plan for Toledo. The trail will be planned and developed to connect college campuses, community parks, other local trail systems, and numerous schools and neighborhoods. Tens of thousands of people within the City of Toledo and Lucas and Wood Counties will have access to Westside Trail.

Wood County Port Authority will retain the half-mile Maumee River bridge portion of the property. One of the first steps in the trail development process will be the demolition of the bridge. The longest portion of the property, 4.1 miles, was transferred to The University of Toledo. The city now owns 3.5 miles of the trail, Metroparks of the Toledo Area will retain 1.75 miles, and Wood County Park District 1.5 miles.

Since it was founded in 1972, TPL has helped protect three million acres of land in 47 states. In Ohio, TPL has protected more than 12,300 acres valued at more than $130 million. TPL depends on the support and generosity of individuals, foundations, and businesses to achieve its mission to preserve land for people.