Wayne Roberts (left) and Gene Pass of the Friends of Madison County Parks and Trails (FMCPT) display one of the “Welcome” signs that can be seen in many downtown London business windows. FMCPT, the Chamber of Commerce, and the Down-town London Association are working together to entice bike trail users to patronize local businesses.
(Posted April 1, 2016)
By Kristy Zurbrick, Madison Editor
Spring has sprung and so has the trail season.
The Friends of Madison County Parks and Trails (FMCPT) invites the public to take part in Opening Day for Trails, a nationwide celebration promoted by the Rails-To-Trails Conservancy.
London is one of seven Ohio cities that will host opening day activities on April 16. FMCPT volunteers will be on hand from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the London Coffee Peddler, 127 S. Main St., to talk about the multi-purpose trail that runs through London. The trail is part of the Ohio To Erie Trail that stretches from Cincinnati to Cleveland.
Trail sentinels will be posted at the coffee shop, at the Prairie Grass Trailhead behind the Madison County Senior Center, 280 W. High St., and at the Roberts Pass Trailhead on Maple Street. Their job is to guide or escort trail users along the path and to businesses in town.
Participants are encouraged to look for “Welcome” cyclist signs posted in business windows. Many businesses will be offering discounts to trail users. Additionally, at the Coffee Peddler, participants can sample fudge from Fine Designs & Interiors and candy from Firefly Sweet Shoppe.
Parking is available at both trailheads, in the city parking lot at Oak and Second streets, and as avail-able along downtown streets. Restrooms are available at the Prairie Grass trailhead and the coffee shop.
Other Ohio cities hosting opening day activities are Columbus, Springfield, Xenia, Dayton, Cincinnati and Cleveland. Go to www.railstotrails.org/openingday for a complete list of activities and to enter a drawing to win a Fuji bike.
Go to www.fmcpt.com for more about the London trail and Friends of Madison County Parks and Trails.
