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The Upper Middle Branch trail will link Canton with Plain and Lake Townships
The Upper Middle Branch Trail will become a primary north-south connector within the center of the county. It would connect Hartville to Canton at Riverside Park. Much of the route would parallel the Middle Branch of the Nimishillen Creek. The Canton Downtown Loop would further extend this route by connecting it to the West Branch Trail and Canton park network, and to the Lower Middle Branch Trail south of Munson Stadium.
This section of the countywide system features a range of landscapes. From Riverside Park
the route would be green space extending north to Martindale Park. The greenway would weave through inner city residential areas and back lot
industrial areas and incorporate Cook, Maple and Reifsnyder Parks. Linkages would be made between these parks by using rail and stream corridors. The development of a greenway in this area could serve as an important revitalization tool.
From Martindale Park the Upper Middle Branch Trail would continue through newer residential developments using low volume public streets and the reservoir of Central Allied. From here, there is the opportunity to establish an off-road greenway by utilizing airport and existing agricultural land. If cooperative agreements are not possible for public access and conservation zones, alternatives exist along the road network. The objective is to follow the creek with a protected zone of green space that would include a multi-purpose trail. The landscape becomes more rural and undeveloped as the route extends north to Middlebranch.
Historic
buildings and quaint alleys give Middlebranch an inviting character. The town has the
opportunity to become a significant trailhead, providing an access point for surrounding residential areas. The Hoover Park Trail will join the Upper Middle Branch Trail in Middlebranch.
From the town center the greenway continues for a short distance along the creek and
through farmland. Then joins a series of rural roads and extends north,
providing scenic views. These include Frommes, Gans, Wolf, and Wm. Penn Avenue. From Wm. Penn it will join Route 619 into Hartville. Route 619 is heavily traveled, and trails will need to be developed to segregate recreational traffic from automobile traffic. The proposed roadside trail will be suited for cyclists.
