(PRESS RELEASE / THE VILLAGE REPORTER)
DISCUSSING THE TRAIL … Montpelier’s Iron Horse River Trail was the topic presented at the Parkview-Montpelier Hospital Auxiliary meeting Monday, May 12th by guest speakers Nathan Thompson and Chris Kannel, Montpelier Village Councilmen. Shown with the trail map are from left to right—Auxiliary President Linda Dilworth, Chris Kannel, Nathan Thompson, and Auxiliary Secretary Connie Dunseth.
PRESS RELEASE – Two Montpelier Village Councilmen Nathan Thompson and Chris Kannel, also local businessmen, attended the general meeting of Parkview-Montpelier Hospital Auxiliary Monday afternoon, May 12th in the hospital’s conference room.
Mr. Thompson addressed the auxiliary with information about the Iron Horse River Trail, which is currently open and under further development in the village with the parks & recreation department. They were introduced by Auxiliary Secretary Connie Dunseth of the program committee.
Iron Horse River Trail is composed of two trails—the Rustic Trail and Accessible Trail, both with access at the Montpelier Senior Center Trailhead boardwalk at North Jonesville St. in the village.
The Rustic Trail winds along the banks of the St. Joseph River north of the village, including one mile of unimproved trail and a three-quarter mile single-track mountain bike course.
The Accessible Trail is paved for walking, hiking and biking, and has trailheads from the Senior Center, Platt St. and River St.
Both trails continue to the Williams County Fairgrounds. Mr. Thompson traced both sections of the Iron Horse River Trail on a large map.
This project began as an idea in 2016 to promote more activities in the village. In 2019 the Village of Montpelier received a Transportation Alternative Program (TAP) $1.2 million grant from the Ohio Department of Transportation for continued development.
In 2020 volunteers supported by several local service organizations worked together to open the trail to greater use. The grant paid for improvement of 1.25 miles of paved, accessible, multi-use trail, dedicated in October 2024.
In March of this year, the Montpelier Village Council’s Committee for Personnel, Safety & Transportation held a Town Hall meeting to present updates on the comprehensive plan and active transportation plan inviting public comments.
Both Thompson and Kannel discussed the Wabash Cannonball Trail stretching from Williams Co Rd 13 going east to Toledo.
Applications for two grants for funding the Montpelier section of this trail have been made this year with the hope they will be awarded later this summer.
The Louden Trail for Safe Routes to School was created to connect the Montpelier Municipal Park to the local school recreation center with a 10-foot wide asphalt walk.
In March an application for funding was submitted for a .45 mile connector estimated to cost over $800,000. Future developments of these trails are in the planning stages.
Possibilities include park benches, disc golf course, drainage and catch basins to reduce flooding, and connection to Wabash Cannonball Trail at Co Rd. 13.
Montpelier Library will install a “Story Walk” on the Iron Horse River Trail this summer. Other concerns are the St. Joseph River clean-up and a possible pedestrian bridge from Pleasant St. south across the railroad tracks.
The auxiliary thanks both village representatives for the information about the trails. More information is available by contacting Montpelier’s village council.
Following the program, Auxiliary President Linda Dilworth conducted the business meeting. Roll call was answered to “What did you do to celebrate Mother’s Day?”.
Thought for the day was “My mother is a living angel, she is always presenting me with the wings of her love” by Debasish Mridha.
Reports were given by Secretary Connie Dunseth and Treasurer Joyce Schelling. President Linda thanked everyone who helped with the Staff Appreciation Day snack buffet held May 5th in the conference room.
Election of officers for the 2025-26 year was held as follows: President-Elaine Willibey, Vice President-Lynn Watson, Secretary-Connie Dunseth, Treasurer-Joyce Schelling and Historian-Ruth Cooley. May patient favors are provided by the auxiliary board and Jean Darby has charge of patient favors for June.
The next regular auxiliary meeting is scheduled Monday, June 9th at 12 noon at First Presbyterian Church, Montpelier, with a potluck luncheon.
The auxiliary will provide the meat and members are asked to bring a passing dish and contact President Linda (ph: 419-490-6964).
A candlelight memorial service will be held along with installation of officers. Guests are welcome to attend. Roll call will be sharing plans for the summer.
This will be the last general meeting until the auxiliary reconvenes in October. The auxiliary executive board will continue meeting on the first Monday during the summer months and a membership drive will be planned in September.