7-mile trail route — longest in Clinton County — now open

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SABINA — An opening day ribbon-cutting was held Saturday for the longest multi-use trail in Clinton County — a 7.1-miles leg of the Clinton-Fayette Friendship Trail.

The trail stretches from Melvin Road east of Wilmington to Borum Road in Clinton County, via Sabina. For the most part, the course of the trail follows an abandoned railroad corridor.

About 2½ miles in the middle of the trail route is paved, from Sabina Farmers Exchange to Reesville, said Bob Thobaben with the Clinton County Parks District Board.

The two end sections of the trail, he said, consist of crushed stone and gravel.

A dedication ceremony, sponsored by the Clinton County Parks District and the Clinton County Trails Coalition (formerly Rails-to-Trails), was held in the Sabina Village Park on a chilly but dry morning.

State Sen. Steve Wilson (District 7, R-Maineville) was among the speakers. In his first year in the Statehouse, Wilson and State Sen. Sean J. O’Brien (District 32, D-Bazetta) are co-chairs of the nation’s first state Legislative Trails Caucus.

The trails caucus was formed less than a month ago on March 29.

Clinton County Health Commissioner Pam Walker-Bauer said biking and walking trails — sometimes referred to as linear parks — promote wellness and promote family.

A speaker from a statewide trails organization said trails can be a reason for young adults not to move to cities.

Sabina resident Larry Fair, who in May 2016 filed a complaint in court concerning a property dispute related to a section of the trail, said Monday he still considers the north half of almost a quarter mile of the trail to be his property.

Until the case is resolved, he said he will consider that strip of the trail to be on his property.

On Saturday, he set up a barricade on the disputed stretch. But he and the Sabina law director worked out a deal, and Fair moved the barricade to the north half of the trail only, leaving the south side open.

Fair does not claim to own the land under the trail’s south side, but he said his deed says he owns to the center.

Later he took down the barricade on the north side, as well, Fair said.

Until the case is resolved, he said he may “do my best to just explain to them [trail users]” his claim to the north side.

Reach Gary Huffenberger at 937-556-5768.

Smiles were in abundance at the ribbon-cutting for the Clinton County section of the Clinton-Fayette Friendship Trail.
http://aimmedianetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2017/04/web1_rib_cut_p_f.jpgSmiles were in abundance at the ribbon-cutting for the Clinton County section of the Clinton-Fayette Friendship Trail. Gary Huffenberger | News Journal

Free bike helmets were distributed Saturday at the Sabina Village Park following a ribbon-cutting for the Clinton County section of the Clinton-Fayette Friendship Trail. In the foreground are, from left, East Clinton High School Key Club adviser Jacalyn Walker and Lane Thompson, 9, of Sabina, who put his name and stickers on his new protective helmet.
http://aimmedianetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2017/04/web1_helmet_p_f.jpgFree bike helmets were distributed Saturday at the Sabina Village Park following a ribbon-cutting for the Clinton County section of the Clinton-Fayette Friendship Trail. In the foreground are, from left, East Clinton High School Key Club adviser Jacalyn Walker and Lane Thompson, 9, of Sabina, who put his name and stickers on his new protective helmet. Gary Huffenberger | News Journal

State Sen. Steve Wilson (R-Maineville) speaks Saturday at the dedication for a 7.1-miles leg of the Clinton-Fayette Friendship Trail.
http://aimmedianetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2017/04/web1_state_sen_p_f.jpgState Sen. Steve Wilson (R-Maineville) speaks Saturday at the dedication for a 7.1-miles leg of the Clinton-Fayette Friendship Trail. Gary Huffenberger | News Journal

Jaden Evans, 9, of New Vienna, was the first to receive a certificate for completing a bike rodeo Saturday in Sabina, held in conjunction with a trail ribbon-cutting. The bike rodeo included a bike safety inspection and a skills course.
http://aimmedianetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2017/04/web1_bike_rodeo_p_f.jpgJaden Evans, 9, of New Vienna, was the first to receive a certificate for completing a bike rodeo Saturday in Sabina, held in conjunction with a trail ribbon-cutting. The bike rodeo included a bike safety inspection and a skills course. Gary Huffenberger | News Journal

By Gary Huffenberger

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