TRAILS CONNECTOR RIBBON CUTTING … There to celebrate this momentous occasion in the life of Northwest Ohio Rails to Trails Association (NORTA) on an extremely hot afternoon, were a company representing many leadership groups in Williams County.
From left to right in the front row, representing Montpelier Parks and Recreation was Director Sandy Gordon; from the Montpelier Village Council – Council member Nathan Thompson; representing the Montpelier Chamber of Commerce and the Montpelier School Board – Kim Friend; President of Montpelier Village Council – Chris Kannel; Founding members of NORTA – Bonnie Markley and President Ed Snyder; Cody Frey from WC Engineering who did the actual work of getting this 1/4 mile strip of asphalt made; and representing WEDCO because she loves to see anything that will draw new people to the area – Director Megan Hausch.
In the back row, L to R, Montpelier Village Manager – Jason Rockey; Montpelier Mayor – Steve Yagelski; Rails to Trails Volunteer and former NORTA Board member from Archbold – Bob Apger; NORTA Board Member and Active leader in getting this project started and executed – Randy Miller; WC Commissioner – Lew Hilkert; and WC Parks Board member Rod Miller.
The quarter mile of asphalt runs from St. Rt. 20A/107 to just east of the old Roller Skate Rink in Montpelier, and connects the Wabash Canon Ball Trail to the Iron Horse Trail, giving as Ed Snyder said, “an anchor on the west end of the Wabash”. Now they are joined and becoming part of the North Country Trail which will draw large numbers of hikers and bikers to the area.
This was made possible by the hard work of many, finances from Montpelier Village and WC Commissioners (25%) and a Clean Ohio Trails Grant (75%) through the Ohio Department of Natural Resources. Congratulations to all who helped to make this happen!