Groveport is wheeling its way towards creating a paved bicycle path to connect the village to the Three Creeks Metro Park’s bicycle path system.
At its Dec. 17 meeting, Groveport Village Council authorized Village Administrator Jon Crusey to enter into a contract with Dan Foor for the purchase of 2.85 acres at a cost of $99,750. The land would be used for the proposed bicycle path route.
The acreage is a 30 foot wide strip that extends north from Front Street to the Elmont Place subdivision and follows the right of way of the former Rarey Road, which once ran from Front Street to Blacklick Creek before being abandoned by Franklin County in 1929.
Once the bicycle path reaches Elmont Place, one option would be for walkers and bicyclists to use the subdivision’s sidewalks and streets for a short distance to reach Groveport’s Cruiser Park (the soccer park) along Old Hamilton Road. From there the paved bicycle path would pick up again and proceed through Cruiser Park across Bixby Road to Three Creeks Metro Park.
A second piece of legislation that would authorize Crusey to proceed with contracting for the construction of the bicycle path was tabled until council’s Feb. 11 meeting. Law Director Kevin Shannon said the tabling was necessary so village officials could develop accurate cost estimates for the project.
Shannon stated village officials are optimistic that construction of the bicycle path could begin in the spring or summer of 2008.
"This path will be a big recreational happening for the village," said Councilman Ed Rarey. "Many people will be able to use it for bicycling and walking. Dan Foor has been most cooperative in helping to make this happen."
Rarey said the proposed paved bike path would provide a safer route for walkers, people with strollers, roller bladers, and bicyclists to Three Creeks Park.
"It will be safer than having them use Old Hamilton Road, which is narrow, highly travelled, and dangerous (to pedestrians and cyclists)," said Rarey.
Rarey also noted the creation of the bicycle path would serve to help connect the old village with its newer neighborhoods to the north by improving accessibility between the areas.
"It will bring us closer together," said Rarey.
