Getting To Know The Spartan Trail: An Informative Interview With Trustee Dean Young

Q: What inspired the Spartan Trail?

A: Local development of the Ohio Canalway towpath trail inspired me and others to see the importance and benefit of providing a pedestrian hike and bike trail for Springfield. Its benefits center on providing recreational opportunities, a more walkable community and a healthier lifestyle.

Q: What’s the Rails to Trails initiative and how did this impact the Spartan Trail?

A: Founded in 1985, Rails to Trails is a national, non-profit organization dedicated to creating a nationwide network of trails from former rail lines and connecting corridors to build healthier places for healthier people. The concept applies to the Spartan Trial, which will repurpose the corridor of the interurban trolley car line that ran through Springfield and Lakemore into an established pedestrian right of way.

Q: Who is the trail designed for?

A: The Spartan Trial is designed for pedestrian use whether on foot or bicycle. Motorized vehicles are forbidden, except in case of emergency or with government maintenance vehicles.

Q: What makes this trail unique?

A: The Spartan Trail’s uniqueness lies in the cooperation of the units of local government: the Township Trustees, the Lakemore Council & Mayor, and the Springfield School Board. Each has limited funds, yet each has contributed in some manner to the project.

Q: What’s the history of this trail and how did it come to be?

A: The Spartan Trail generally follows the path of the Northern Ohio Traction and Light Company Trolley Car line that passed through Springfield and Lakemore. That trolley car service operated through Springfield &Lakemore from 1902 until sometime in 1929. The cinder bed which held the rails can still be seen at many places on the trail. Even before the local government took up the task of improving the trail, local citizens have used parts of it as a pedestrian through faire from the time that trolleys stopped running to this day.

Q: Explain where the plans are to take the trail in the future.

A: A majority of the trail is yet to be improved and all parts through Springfield and Lakemore are to be connected. Accomplishing that will require continued effort.

Q: What can citizens do to help this project move forward?

A: Local Government has tough choices as to how to apply limited funds. Citizens need to support the efforts to complete the Spartan Trail politically. They can prove the benefit of the trail by using it. Citizen effort through a group known as the Friends of the Spartan Trail have in the past shown support for it. That group should be reactivated.