Park District of Ottawa County Executive Director, Jannah Wilson, talks to an attendee about the Marblehead Peninsula Trail Feasibility Study during a public open house last year. (Photo by Sheri Trusty)

PORT CLINTON – The Marblehead Peninsula is one step closer to achieving a trail network that connects the region’s assets and attractions.

The Board of Park Commissioners approved the Marblehead Peninsula Trail Feasibility Study Final Plan at its April 1 public meeting. The study, which began in October 2023 and was conducted by OHM Advisors, explored trail route options, assessed safety data, and gathered public feedback to provide the Park District of Ottawa County and other local public entities with guidance for future trail development in making Marblehead safely traversable by foot, bicycle and other non-motorized modes of transportation. OHM Advisors, an architecture, engineering and planning firm, has a resume that includes projects for Metroparks of the Toledo Area, Outdoor Sylvania Community Parks, Cleveland Metroparks, Geauga Park District, and more.

Jannah Wilson, executive director of the Park District of Ottawa County, presented the Marblehead Peninsula Trail Feasibility Study to the Marblehead Village Council on April 23, and to the Danbury Township Trustees on May 28. The study is accessible on the Park District’s website, www.ottawacountyparksoh.org. Within it, readers will find extensive research including proposed trail routes, implementation priorities, input from public surveys, open houses and special interest groups, proposed cost estimates, funding opportunities, and other data.

The next step is preliminary engineering work and implementation priorities as outlined in the study. According to study findings, the top commented-on road segments are:

• State Route 163 (Erie Beach Rd. to Cottage Cove Dr.)
• Alexander Pike
• East Bayshore Road (Lions Park to Dempsey Access)
• South Bayshore Rd. and East Bayshore Rd. to Church Rd. • State Route 163 (NE Catawba Rd. to North Buck Rd.)
• North Shore Blvd.
• North Buck Rd.
• Englebeck Rd.

Top points of interest, according to data collected, are:

• Marblehead Lighthouse
• East Harbor State Park
• Meadowbrook Marsh
• Brown’s Dairy Dock
• James Park
• Lakeside Daisy State Nature Preserve
• Mazurik Fishing Access
• Lakeside Chautauqua
• Kelley’s Island Ferry
• Downtown Marblehead
• Dempsey Access

The Park District of Ottawa County invited the public to provide input on the Marblehead Peninsula Trail Feasibility Study. (Photo by Sheri Trusty)

This will be a multiyear, long range plan, with multiple phases, and trail implementation will prioritize access to top points of interest.

“The Feasibility Study marks the first step toward a connected network of multiuse trails that will enhance mobility, recreation, and quality of life throughout the Marblehead Peninsula and our region,” said Jannah Wilson, executive director of the Park District of Ottawa County. “It captures the vital data and community voices needed to bring this vision to life through future funding opportunities. Together, we are shaping a future where safe, accessible and scenic offroad trails become a defining feature of our region.”

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.