Portage Hike & Bike Trail Updates & Comments

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New Trail Segment Coming

1/28/12 by Ohio Bikeways

From stow.patch.com, "Kent will construct a new segment of The PORTAGE [Trail] spanning from the city of Kent's John Brown Tannery Park along state Route 59 to Erie Street. This trail segment will include on-street portions.

"This project will receive $700,000 [in AMATS grants].

Trail Signs Going Up

4/7/11 by Ohio Bikeways

New trails signs are being installed along the trail this spring.

From KentWired.com, "...informational signs will be installed in various locations in coming weeks.

"The signs give readers facts about the plants and wildlife living along the trail, as well as historical places the trail has to offer, using words, photos and letters written in the past."

Some photos use scenes from the past intended to give trail users a look back in time at various points along the trail.

Clearing The Trail During Winter

3/9/10 by Fred Walz

I would bet there would be volunteers to plow the trail in Ravenna (at least the paved portions) to provide winter access to this wonderful trail.

Missing Trail Link Completed!

10/29/08 by Ohio Bikeways

A 2.1-mile trail section has been completed from Lake Rockwell Road in Franklin Township to Crain Avenue in Kent. This effectively links two segments of the Portage Bike & Hike and connects Kent to Ravenna by trail!

The ribbon-cutting ceremony is scheduled for Saturday, November 1st at 10 a.m. at the Lake Rockwell Trailhead off Lake Rockwell Road.

New Campus Trail In Kent

10/9/07 by Ohio Bikeways

Our thanks to Craig Morgan for sending news regarding the opening of a new Portage Trail section. It's about 3 miles in length and was built by KSU. Plans are to connect it with the main Portage Trail sometime in the future.

This new segment has yet to be reviewed here, however it has been included in the trail specs.

New Trailhead Facilities

4/23/07 by Joe Chase

The eastern terminus of the trail now has a twenty car paved parking area and public restrooms. The parking area is located in Chestnut Hills Park on Rte 44 in Ravenna.

Trail Specs:

Class: A1+ & B1+

Length: 9.8 miles / asphalt & crushed stone sections - 8' wide
Tallmadge Trail: 2.9 / asphalt & crushed stone

Condition: Good - No loose spots or washouts. Most of the trail has developed a regrowth of grass in the center with good lanes on either side.

KSU trail section (not reviewed here) will connect to the main trail sometime in the future. It is about 3 miles long and extends from near South Lincoln Street to Dix Stadium off East Summit Street in Kent. Mixed surface of sidewalk and asphalt path. With varies from 12-40'.

Facilities: Public restrooms at the west end at Towner's Woods Park and Chestnut Hills Park in Ravenna.

Food: There are no retail or food establishments along the trail, but the western end isn't far from downtown Kent, and the east end cuts through Ravenna just north of the city center and just south of Robinson Memorial Hospital. Several restaurants and gas station mini-marts are fairly close to the trail.

Parking: Parking at the west end at Towner's Woods Park. The eastern terminus of the trail now has a twenty car paved parking area and public restrooms. The parking area is located in Chestnut Hills Park on Rte 44 in Ravenna.

Directions to Kent Trailhead: Start with the public parking lot at Towner's Woods Park north of Kent on Ravenna Road. The park can be reached from Rte. 43 in Twin Lakes (look for a life-size rhinoceros sculpture on the corner!). Proceed east to where Ravenna Rd. abruptly kinks to the right across RR tracks; the park is right on the corner. From the east, Ravenna Rd. can be reached by taking Brady Lake Rd. northwest from Rte. 59. If you come from Rte 43 in a tall vehicle, note there is a bridge with 9' clearance next to the Akron Water Treatment plant.

Tallmadge Kent Towner's-Woods Ravenna

14mi 9.2mi 4.4mi 0mi

Trail Basics Trail Safety Bikeway Facilities Trip Planning Rules & Tips Trail Overseers Trail Surfaces & Uses Terms & Definitions Review Notes Trail Classes Articles Submit Updates	Resize A A A New Trail Segment Coming 1/28/12 by Ohio Bikeways From stow.patch.com, "Kent will construct a new segment of The PORTAGE [Trail] spanning from the city of Kent's John Brown Tannery Park along state Route 59 to Erie Street. This trail segment will include on-street portions. "This project will receive $700,000 [in AMATS grants]. Trail Signs Going Up 4/7/11 by Ohio Bikeways New trails signs are being installed along the trail this spring. From KentWired.com, "...informational signs will be installed in various locations in coming weeks. "The signs give readers facts about the plants and wildlife living along the trail, as well as historical places the trail has to offer, using words, photos and letters written in the past." Some photos use scenes from the past intended to give trail users a look back in time at various points along the trail. Clearing The Trail During Winter 3/9/10 by Fred Walz I would bet there would be volunteers to plow the trail in Ravenna (at least the paved portions) to provide winter access to this wonderful trail. Missing Trail Link Completed! 10/29/08 by Ohio Bikeways A 2.1-mile trail section has been completed from Lake Rockwell Road in Franklin Township to Crain Avenue in Kent. This effectively links two segments of the Portage Bike & Hike and connects Kent to Ravenna by trail! The ribbon-cutting ceremony is scheduled for Saturday, November 1st at 10 a.m. at the Lake Rockwell Trailhead off Lake Rockwell Road. New Campus Trail In Kent 10/9/07 by Ohio Bikeways Our thanks to Craig Morgan for sending news regarding the opening of a new Portage Trail section. It's about 3 miles in length and was built by KSU. Plans are to connect it with the main Portage Trail sometime in the future. This new segment has yet to be reviewed here, however it has been included in the trail specs. New Trailhead Facilities 4/23/07 by Joe Chase The eastern terminus of the trail now has a twenty car paved parking area and public restrooms. The parking area is located in Chestnut Hills Park on Rte 44 in Ravenna. Trail Specs: Class: A1+ & B1+ Length: 9.8 miles / asphalt & crushed stone sections - 8' wide Tallmadge Trail: 2.9 / asphalt & crushed stone Condition: Good - No loose spots or washouts. Most of the trail has developed a regrowth of grass in the center with good lanes on either side. KSU trail section (not reviewed here) will connect to the main trail sometime in the future. It is about 3 miles long and extends from near South Lincoln Street to Dix Stadium off East Summit Street in Kent. Mixed surface of sidewalk and asphalt path. With varies from 12-40'. Facilities: Public restrooms at the west end at Towner's Woods Park and Chestnut Hills Park in Ravenna. Food: There are no retail or food establishments along the trail, but the western end isn't far from downtown Kent, and the east end cuts through Ravenna just north of the city center and just south of Robinson Memorial Hospital. Several restaurants and gas station mini-marts are fairly close to the trail. Parking: Parking at the west end at Towner's Woods Park. The eastern terminus of the trail now has a twenty car paved parking area and public restrooms. The parking area is located in Chestnut Hills Park on Rte 44 in Ravenna. Directions to Kent Trailhead: Start with the public parking lot at Towner's Woods Park north of Kent on Ravenna Road. The park can be reached from Rte. 43 in Twin Lakes (look for a life-size rhinoceros sculpture on the corner!). Proceed east to where Ravenna Rd. abruptly kinks to the right across RR tracks; the park is right on the corner. From the east, Ravenna Rd. can be reached by taking Brady Lake Rd. northwest from Rte. 59. If you come from Rte 43 in a tall vehicle, note there is a bridge with 9' clearance next to the Akron Water Treatment plant. Tallmadge Kent Towner's-Woods Ravenna 14mi 9.2mi 4.4mi 0mi	Updates & Comments Featured Review Trail Specs Maps & More Weather Forecast \| Weather Maps