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The Nickel Plate Trail is within Louisville, Townships of Osnaburg and Paris.
The Stark County Park District opened a one-mile section of the Nickel Plate Trail on Oct. 18, 2004. The new trail extends a popular pedestrian trail from Metzger Park to south of Georgetown Street.
Extension of this trail east to Minerva and west to the Stark Electric Railway Trail is
a major goal of the Stark County Park District. The proposed trail route will take
advantage of an abandoned rail corridor and is in both private and public ownership. It
remains as open space with only a few minor exceptions. The community of Louisville has
developed the section of right of way within its community as a major multi-purpose trail
and as a component of its park and recreation system.
This section is greatly enjoyed by this community, and extension of this
route promises to be every bit as popular. Extension of the northwest leg will link this
trail to the Stark Electric Railway Trail. A significant bridge structure will be required to
make this connection at the western edge of Louisville. The extension east leads through
dramatic countryside of rolling farmland. Several bridges have been removed along this
length although in the majority of cases, the abutments remain and only new decking is
needed.
One recent road improvement has filled in the underpass, requiring an
at-grade crossing of the roadway and a crossing signal. West of Baird Road in Paris
Township, the Nickel Plate Trail and the Iron Horse Trail cross. The area is interesting
because of the monumental structures that remain from the two rail bridges. This
intersection also provides an opportunity for a looped route into Minerva. The Nickel
Plate continues to the northeast side of Minerva where it makes a cross county connection
to join the road system. It is within Whitacre Avenue into the north edge of town and the
City Park. With cooperative agreements from private landowners, the Nickel Plate Trail
promises to be a significant recreation and open space resource for the county that will
draw users from throughout the region. The proposed trail will be suited for pedestrians, cyclists and equestrians.
