Phase 1, the Alexander Pike segment, will include a new trailhead on E. Bayshore Rd. and approximately 1.5 miles of separated, multi-use trail for nonmotorized recreation connecting to the Lakeside Daisy State Nature Preserve. (Submitted photo)

MARBLEHEAD – The Park District of Ottawa County has secured $1.48 million in grant funding to begin the first phase of the Marblehead Peninsula Trail, marking an exciting next step in creating new opportunities for outdoor recreation.

Phase 1, the Alexander Pike segment, will include a new trailhead on E. Bayshore Rd. and approximately 1.5 miles of separated, multi-use trail for nonmotorized recreation connecting to the Lakeside Daisy State Nature Preserve, home of the only known natural population of the rare Lakeside Daisy in the United States. Grant dollars were allocated through the Metropolitan Planning Organization of the Erie Regional Planning Commission from a combination of state and federal transportation funding programs and grants.

The Alexander Pike segment, the first phase of the Marblehead Peninsula Trail, is one of several future phases that will connect natural areas, communities, parks, businesses, and key destinations, said Jannah Wilson, executive director of the Park District of Ottawa County. Total funding is $1,482,140.00.

“The Marblehead Peninsula Trail represents an exciting opportunity to connect people with the incredible natural resources and communities that make this area so special,” Wilson said. “This first phase is the result of years of thoughtful planning and extensive community input, and we are proud to see the vision beginning to take shape. While this is the first step, it lays the foundation for a larger trail network that will provide meaningful recreational opportunities for residents and visitors for generations to come.”

The Phase One project was identified following extensive planning and public engagement conducted as part of the Marblehead Peninsula Trail Feasibility Study, which was approved in 2025 by the Board of Park commissioners. The study included input from local residents, community partners, and stakeholders to help identify opportunities for a future trail network that reflects the needs and vision of the Marblehead Peninsula community.

Alexander Pike was one of the top commented-on road segments, according to input from public surveys, open houses, and other opportunities for feedback and engagement. The study, performed by OHM Advisors, is accessible on the Park District’s website, www.ottawacountyparksoh.org. Within it, readers will find extensive research including implementation priorities, proposed cost estimates, public input, and other data.

The Marblehead Peninsula Trail will be a multiyear, long-range plan with a main mission to connect the peninsula via a network of multi-use trails. Plans are also underway to connect the Marblehead Peninsula Trail with the Sandusky Bay Pathway, a regional trail route vision. Find more information regarding the Sandusky Bay Pathway, visit https://sanduskybaypathway.com.

“The Marblehead Peninsula Trail is an important investment in the future of Ottawa County, creating new opportunities for outdoor recreation, connecting people with nature and local points of interest, and supporting the continued development of a regionally connected network of trails and public spaces,” Wilson said.

The Park District of Ottawa County is dedicated to preserving, enhancing, and connecting Ottawa County’s natural and recreational resources for the enjoyment and benefit of all. To learn more about the Park District of Ottawa County, visit ottawacountyparksoh.org and follow the Park District of Ottawa County at www.facebook.com/parkdistrictofottawacounty.