PHOTO BY JOHN FRYMAN / THE VILLAGE REPORTER
IRON HORSE TRAIL UPDATE … Montpelier council members Chris Kannel (left) and Nathan Thompson gave a presentation regarding the Iron Horse River Trail Phase 2 and 3 projects to the Williams County Fair Board at its meeting on Thursday, April 16.
By: John Fryman
THE VILLAGE REPORTER
john@thevillagereporter.com
The Williams County Fair Board heard a presentation from Montpelier Village Council regarding the Iron Horse River Trail at its regular meeting on Thursday, April 16.
Montpelier council members Don Schlosser, Nathan Thompson, and Chris Kannel were in attendance along with Parks and Recreation Director Sandy Gordon.
Thompson and Kannel outlined Phase 2 and 3 of the Iron Horse River Trail project, which entails a proposed fairgrounds connection and river access.
“The Village of Montpelier has made a deliberate decision to position itself as an outdoor recreation community, a true of what we call it a ‘trail town’ in Northwest Ohio,” said Thompson.
The Iron Horse Trail was dedicated in October 2024. The $1.4 million total project was supported by Ohio State Senator Rob McColley, State Representative Jim Hoops, and the Ohio Department of Transportation.
Thompson pointed out that the village has secured capital funds for the design of four miles of the Wabash Cannonball Trail and a $4.3 million ODOT grant (County Road 13 to County Road 17) with a completion date of 2029.
PROPOSED ROUTE FOR PHASES 2 AND 3
However, the missing link is connectivity between these two trails, which also involves the fairgrounds. It will provide a safe, accessible trail.
The proposed route for Phases 2 and 3 would follow the south side of the St. Joseph River, going east across the fairgrounds (avoiding trees and structures), continuing across the Parkview Health property, crossing Fulton Road and extending east to Porters Road.
It will utilize the pedestrian lane on State Route 107 to connect with the Wabash Cannonball Trail.
“We’re designing this trail as if we are applying for ODOT path funds, the same funding source that we used for the Iron Horse River Trail and the Wabash Cannonball Trail,” commented Kannel.
“It’s a twelve-foot-wide paved trail, plus four feet of improved shoulder, so you would end up with sixteen feet effectively on the trail. That’s what we have effectively we have on the Iron Horse Trail.”
EASEMENT REQUEST
The village is requesting permission from the fair board to explore an easement across fairground property. The final design approval would return to the fair board before construction.
“A critical part of this process is making sure that everybody is on the same page and on board with the project,” said Kannel. “We have already proposed this project to Parkview, and they’re pretty much onboard with it.
“There is an enormous amount of work that needs to go on between now and when the project actually gets funded.
“At this point, all we need is there are no serious objections to the project so we can move to the next steps.”
Kannel is hoping for the fair board to put together a memorandum of understanding that the village can present to the fair board at the next meeting.
“We’re going to need a small group from the fair board to just work with us as we go through this process,” pointed out Kannel. “We need you all to be in agreement to work with us.”
Fair board president Pam Goll said the fair board technically doesn’t own the fairgrounds property; it’s owned by the Williams County Commissioners.
“I don’t think that we can sign the memorandum without the county commissioner’s approval,” pointed out Goll.
Kannel added the village will be responsible for maintenance of the trail.
“We need to have an affirmative agreement in writing that the village can access only a certain strip of fairgrounds property to get the snow off the trail in the village and fix the asphalt when it gets cracked and to make repairs when needed,” said Kannel.
KEY ASSURANCES TO FAIR BOARD
The village also presented several key assurances with the fair board.
-Fair week protection: The Iron Horse Trail will be gated and locked during the Williams County Fair.
-Liability protection: The Ohio Revised Code 1519.07 provides recreational use immunity for landowners.
-Cost to Fair Board: Zero cost for design, construction, or maintenance of the trail.
-Control: Easement terms would protect Fair Board operations and property rights.
-Security or Misuse: The current Iron Horse Trail has not produced negative incidents. The Montpelier Police Department has increased security on the trail.
CANOE AND KAYAK LAUNCH
Phase 3 of the project involves a potential canoe/kayak launch under the covered bridge which is located at the fairgrounds.
Kannel said the concept has been supported by Williams County Engineer Todd Roth.
The funding will likely be through NatureWorks or civic organizations. There will be no financial request to the fair board, and final design approval will return to the fair board.
Should the canoe/kayak launch area proposal be approved, it will increase year-round use of the fairgrounds and connect to the two major regional trail systems.
It will also position the fairgrounds in becoming a centralized community asset. This will support local businesses and tourism and strengthen Montpelier’s identity as a Trail Town.
“We are going to need members of the fair board to be involved in the process,” said Kannel.
A motion was made regarding the fairground property and communications between the village and the fair board’s executive committee was approved.
OTHER BOARD BUSINESS
The Fair Board received a $500 sponsorship from the Williams County Veterans Services to help finance the fair’s veterans day activities.
Approval was made to purchase a new gate for the bridge at the fairgrounds. The cost of the gate is $57,000.
A request was received from an area organization for the rental use of 15-20 benches, picnic tables, and traffic signs from the fair board. This is part of the America 250 Celebration this summer.
The fair board went into an executive session to discuss contracts. After returning, they explored the possibility of options concerning the cancellation of a scheduled fair event. The vote was four members were in favor, and three were opposed.
The next fair board meeting is Thursday, May 21 at 7 p.m.