Woodsfield Village Council members voted during their regular session meeting on July 15 to allow plans to extend the walking trail to move forward. The walking trail, located at Airport Rd., will extend to the new Monroe Central/Woodsfield Elementary campus if everything goes as planned.
Councilwoman Carol Hehr said of the trail, When we started this project, it was a two-phase project. Hehr said all those plans were made before the new schools were set to be located near the trail.
Hehr said she had recently received requests from teachers to extend the trail. That opened her mind to what the trail could become for the schools. My vision is not just for them [students] to be able to walk on it, but Id like to label trees and other things so it can be a nature walk.
The extension would be approximately 1,100 feet and would follow a water line right-a-way. The water line was installed only two years ago meaning that there would be the need for minimal excavation and trimming. It was also discussed that the streets department could work on the project during their spare time to avoid the expense of contractors.
After the discussion, a motion was passed by council to extend the trail. The extension will take place, pending approval by the Switzerland of Ohio Local School Board. Hehr will speak to the board about the extension to request permission that a small section of district property can be included in the extension.
In other news, Parking Committee Chairman Bill Moore reported on the committees findings in regards to the lot immediately north of the village building. Plans had been to develop the empty lot into a parking lot with 8-10 angled spaces that would be sold via long-term parking meters or permits. However, Moore reported that there was more to the project than originally thought and recommended that the issues be discussed with the full council instead of just the Parking Committee.