Not only will they serve as a recreational resource, they will also function as an important educational resource to promote water quality, natural resource conservation, historic restoration, and the preservation of wildlife habitat. The trails also are expected to serve as a catalyst for economic revitalization of local communities.

This plan to establish a countywide trial system throughout Stark County is ambitious yet achievable. Its realization will depend upon a collaborative effort, similar to the one which has been used to develop the Ohio & National Heritage Canalway in western Stark County. The Stark County Park District has constructed this recreational trail on the historic towpath with the assistance of a Canal Corridor Implementation and Operation Task Force, a committee with representativesfrom all of the political jurisdictions located along the trail.

The Stark County Trail and Greenway Plan serves as a companion to the Stark County Canal Corridor Master Plan. The evolution of the countywide trail plan began in 1997. Public support for the concept of a network of trails was demonstrated with passage of .5-mill tax levies in May 1997.

The second phase of planning has included identification of potential trail routes and greenway, design guidelines and implementation recommendations. Community involvement has been a key component of the process, and periodic citizen review of building plans continues to be a key component of the implementation process.

• expanding recreational opportunities
• preserving open space
• improving environmental quality
• celebrating the area's unique heritage facilitating economic development

Greenways typically follow stream channels and utility or rail right of ways. The majority of greenways incorporate a multi-purpose trail as a central spine. The trails are usually off-road, although some routes take advantage of rural roadways or downtown streets. Existing commercial zones or public use facilities with restrooms and parking are dispersed throughout the system to serve as trail heads and rest areas.

The City of Canton is the urban hub in the center of the county. This area offers several major cultural attractions including the Professional Football Hall of Fame, McKinley National Museum, and the Canton Civic Center. Other population centers include Massillon, North Canton, Louisville, and Alliance. The small towns of Hartville, Limaville, East Canton, Minerva, Waynsburg, Magnolia, Navarre and East Sparta each have a unique charm founded on their own distinct character and history. All offer historic town centers with interesting architecture. Quail Hollow State Park in the northern part of the county, as well as Deer Creek and Walborn Reservoirs in the northeast, are significant natural resources available for recreational use.

Predominant natural features of Stark County are rolling terrain and stream channels. The Tuscarawas River runs north to south along the western third of the county and is a central feature of the Ohio and Erie Canal Corridor. As the major tributary leading from the Tuscarawas River, the Nimishillen Creek has several branches that extend across the county. The creek and its tributaries offer ideal opportunities for greenways and have been identified for future recreational trails.

Stark County is in the unique position of having a remarkable base of existing assets upon which to build a countywide system of regional significance:

1. The Ohio and Erie Canal Corridor
2. The City of Canton's existing park system, primarily a series of parks along the West and Middle Branches of the Nimishillen Creek.
3. The Nickel Plate Trail that has recently been developed within Louisville and has the potential to extend to Minerva along an abandoned rail right of way.
4. The Iron Horse Trail between Alliance and Minerva.
5. The historic route of the Sandy Beaver Canal between Magnolia and Waynesburg.
6. Historic towns such as Minerva offer many opportunities for heritage development.
7. The Deer Creek and Walborn Reservoirs, in the northeast section of the county, and offer extensive opportunities for greenways and trails.
8. A historic trolley line from Louisville to Alliance is an additional opportunity for trail development and one mile of th4e Stark Electric Railway Trail has been built.

Communities will be expected to undertake construction of local trails within their communities, such as neighborhood loops and downtown walking tours. The Stark County Park District will serve as a technical resource for these activities, as well as providing financial support when feasible.The Stark County Park District currently employs two in-house trail building crews and equipment.

The Park District's focus will be on trail development of public land, consummation of cooperative land use agreements, as well as an ongoing public awareness campaign and capital development.

The first step toward implementation of the recommendations in this plan will be for local communities to review the suggestions for their areas and determine their interest in participating. Proposed trail routes that cross several communities may require a collaborative approach between local jurisdictions. Initial meetings within many communities were conducted as part of this planning process, and can be taken as an early indication of public support. Community meetings, local news articles, public education and discussion will all be needed throughout the building process. Finally, a local committee must be formed to spearhead outreach activities and focus community interests.

Initially the local committee will need to take on several activities simultaneously. These activities will change as the process evolves, and include community education, research, achieving local support and commitment, and determining priorities and specific design details. Later, activities may focus on fund development, event programming, volunteer construction projects, and development of local protection mechanisms.

If you are interested in serving on a local committee, contact your local park department, mayor or township trustees.

The local committee in each area will determine the extent of local support and commitment. Meetings with business and political leaders and other local constituencies will be helpful. In some cases, a strong attendance at community functions and events that focus on the trail system may be enough to demonstrate local support. In other cases, public opinion surveys or official adoption of the plan and commitment of resources will be appropriate. All types of activities undertaken will be supported by an ongoing public awareness campaign conducted by the Stark County Park District.

This research can be used as a basis for school activities or community group outings. Additional research is needed to determine the extent of local land use protections, such as flood plains and wetland areas. Officially designated historic sites enjoy some measure of protection as well. Local governments may be able to strengthen these protections. Finally, the proposed trails and greenways must be compatible with local recreation and open space plans.

Local committees need to establish a strategy for identifying priorities. The Stark County Park District has prioritized projects based on ownership of land. Sections of trail in public ownership, such as those within local parks, are the easiest to implement. They can be used as pilot projects to demonstrate trail and greenway benefits. Pilot projects also are an effective public awareness tool. Specific developments to enhance the usability of the trail such as trailhead parking or a commercial establishment to sell refreshments or fishing bait may also provide to be strategic priorities. Consummation of land use agreements for private lands within the system are an additional priority. The committee should review the plan and identify the next step for their section of the system: such as land use agreement, trail clearing, surface improvement, parking lot paving.