The long-awaited final link in a set of walking/biking trails that run 326 miles from Cincinnati to Cleveland is now in place.
Featuring a tunnel, an underpass, and a bridge, the Beechmont Connector opened September 21. Locally, it provides access to short trails in Armleder Park and around Lunken Airport, with connections to the longer Ohio River Trail and the Little Miami Scenic Trail.
The main part of the Connector is a 500-foot-long bridge over the Little Miami River that features two scenic turnouts, a generous 14-foot-wide pedestrian/bike path, and a concrete barrier separating the trail from traffic on the adjoining Beechmont Bridge. Bicycle unfriendly design flaws include metal caps protruding from the center of the trail at both ends of the bridge, and a 350-degree switchback to access Armleder Park for riders coming from the north.
Years in the making, this $7.9 million project resulted from the cooperation of the Ohio Department of Transportation, Great Parks of Hamilton County, the City of Cincinnati, and Anderson Township.
Nearby trailheads can be found in the Magrish Preserve off of Salem Road, at various points on Wilmer Avenue, in Armleder Park and Clear Creek Park, and near the intersection of Route 32 and Beechmont Avenue.
Article by Phillip Obermiller, a FLMSP trail sentinel.
Photo below: The bridge includes two turnouts with built-in benches that provide a beautiful view down the river.
