Ohio Trails Partnership approves Statewide Trails Maintenance Fund Project List

Moving forward

Yesterday morning, the Ohio Trails Partnership (OTP)—of which the Buckeye Trail Association (BTA) is a founding member—approved the proposed project list for the OTP Statewide Trails Maintenance Fund, included in the approved 2025–26 State of Ohio Capital Budget.

This fund makes $4.9 million available for non-motorized trail maintenance and improvement projects throughout the state. Project selection emphasized an equal distribution of funding among the five major trail tread types: hiking, mountain biking, equestrian, water, and multi-use.

Next steps

The OTP will now notify the thirteen project sponsors whose projects were selected for recommendation to the Ohio Department of Natural Resources (ODNR) Real Estate and Land Management Office. Once submitted, each sponsor will work with ODNR to complete their maintenance projects by June 30, 2026.

As projects move forward, the OTP will continue to monitor progress and ensure that maintenance improvements are completed according to plan.

Legislative background

Working alongside OTP Advocate Sean Logan, the Statewide Trails Maintenance Fund was originally introduced about a year ago by State Representative Jim Hoops of Ohio’s 81st House District.

Representative Hoops, a longtime Buckeye Trail Association member from Napoleon, Ohio, has participated in Buckeye Trail Crew Work Parties and is an active member of the Ohio Legislative Trails Caucus. His leadership was instrumental in securing the inclusion of this fund in the 2025–26 State Capital Budget.