Future Trails and Connections
There are a number of regional trails that are in the early stages of planning, constuction or expansion.
The Veterans Trail (Hudson to Akron)
This trail is proposed to run along an abandoned railroad line from Hudson to Akron. 2022 AMATS funds have been allocated for the construction of a segment between Barlow Rd in Hudson (from the east side of the Ellsworth Meadows Golf Club) to Springdale Rd in Stow (part of the existing Summit Hike and bike Trail(s) road segment through "Birdland." The trail will also intersect the northern section of the Summit County Hike and Bike Trail(s) in the Powers Brook area, where a bike bridge currently crosses the old railbed near a wastewater treatment facility. Presumably these intersections will create a triangular loop about 8 miles long. Eventual road connections with the Towpath at the north end and both the Freedom Trail and Towpath at the south end seem feasible. https://www.tascforce.org/initial-project
What the heck is "Birdland?" As you head north from the ball fields and tennis courts at the west end of the southern portion of the Summit H&B Trail, you will cross Rt 59, travel through the Village of Silver Lake, cross Graham Rd, and continue on Leewood Rd. After this the bike route diverges onto several streets with "bird names," hence the moniker for this area.
The Rubber City Heritage Trail (Akron)
Bits of this route are supposedly rideable in Akron. This 6-mile trail will link historic rubber company properties via an abandoned railway which is largely owned by the City of Akron. The Ohio & Erie Canalway Coalition states: "The trail will begin near the former Goodyear campus on Market Street in Middlebury, extend toward The University of Akron campus, and move southeast to connect with the Ohio & Erie Canal Towpath Trail in Kenmore." Parts of the old railway are elevated above city streets. A trail spur will head east and cross I-77 via a new pedestrian bridge at Baird St. The goal of this trail is to connect neighborhoods and provide a safe route for commuters.
https://www.beaconjournal.com/story/news/2021/08/24/bike-hike-linking-akron-hudson-proposed-but-completion-could-take-decades/8042517002/
The Lake Rockwell Trail
This proposed trail would follow the City of Akron's main water line right-of-way, connecting the Middlebury Rd (Kent) trailheads for both the Freedom and Portage trails to the north end of Kent. The trail would likely cross 43 onto Davey Tree's new campus (former golf course), and finally would connect to a new spur of the Portage Park District's "Portage H&B trail" near the city of Akron's water plant on Ravenna Rd. This trail will pass near or through multiple school properties.
The Heartland Trail (Wayne County)
A small segment of trail currently exists in Marshallville. The goal is to connect the Towpath at Clinton to the Ohio to Erie Trail. The Clinton to Orrville segment is the current focus. 2022 AMATS funds have been provided to extend the trail north from Market St in Marshallville to Coal Bank Rd, in the direction of Clinton. https://www.waynecountytrails.org/TrailDevelopment.htm
The Pymatuning Valley Greenway Trail (Ashtablula County)
This future trail will begin construction in 2024 with a 3.5-mile segment from Andover Village, northwest to Leon Rd. When complete the trail will connect the south end of Lake Pymatuning with the Western Reserve Greenway in Austinburg.
