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The Stark Electric Railway Trail will connect Canton, Louisville, and Alliance
Between Canton, Louisville and Alliance are the remains of an historic electric rail connection. The right-of-way is still visible in many stretches and to some degree remains in public ownership. The section of the proposed trail along Rt. 153 between Canton and Louisville is a mixed commercial/industrial/residential area. The section between Louisville and Alliance (Meese Road-Easton Street) is much more rural and passes through the small historic town of Maximo.
Phase 1 of the Stark Electric Railway Trail was completed by the City of Canton with the dedication July 17, 2001, of 6,000 feet of trail along Mahoning Road from the city limits west toward Cook Lagoon. Funding was provided by the Ohio Department of Transportation’s Enhancement Funds and through City Capital Improvement funds.
The Cook Lagoon Trailhead was improved in 2000-02 with the dredging of the lagoon and the installation of a quarter-mile loop trail for pedestrians. Design of a restroom and picnic shelter have been completed, and funding is being sought.
In the Canton area the East Branch of the Nimishillen Creek drains an area of rather heavy industrial use and parallels a major rail yard. As these uses are updated, it is recommended that the stream be restored to its natural condition for use as a greenway. East of Canton’s Cook Lagoon, a series of residential streets could be used to connect the Nimishillen greenway with the historic trolley right-of-way.
As the future Stark Electric Railway Trail enters Louisville on the west, new streetscape improvements could provide an attractive gateway into town. At the eastern edge of Louisville, the proposed trail would use rail right of way and the Nimishillen Creek. It is recommended that a stream restoration program be undertaken.
In Maximo the trail route would utilize the existing street and alley network. East of Maximo the historic right-of-way becomes visible as a utility easement. The proposed trail would parallel Easton Street to Alliance. It would cross Sawburg and go north to Electric and Electron Streets, traversing residential streets and connecting with the Iron Horse Trail at the southern edge of Alliance.
