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The History of the
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Original discussions started as a hiking trail from downtown Leetonia to Cherry Valley Area.
John Roose / Leetonia Parks Department submit a grant to develop 
this trail to the Ohio Department of Natural Resources / Land and Water Conservation Fund.
Roose discovers a Federal Highway Administration Grant source for trail development.
Roose approached Mr. Allen Dickey to consider donation a 10-mile section of the former Erie Lackawanna Rail line for a possible trail use.
After salvage operation are complete, Dickey donates the right of way to Leetonia.
A meeting was held in Leetonia with representatives from the Ohio Department of Transportation, Leetonia and Lisbon Villages, Salem and Center Townships, Columbiana County Park District, Columbiana County Development Department, Conrail, Mill Creek Metro Parks, and Rails to Trail Conservancy.
Columbiana County Engineer estimated the cost of building the bike trail at $1,255,365.40.
Leetonia Parks Department submits a request to Mr. William McKenna, ODOT District 11 Deputy Director to do a feasibility study of establishing a Leetonia to Lisbon Bike Trail on the former Erie Lackawanna railbed.
ODNR informs Roose the LWCF application has been denied.
Leetonia Mayor Ron Stouffer submits a follow up request to ODOT.
Mr. Jerry Wray, Director of ODOT requested that the Transportation Modes Division review the bike trail project.
Roose/Leetonia Parks submits another grant request for LWCF monies using the value of the former railbed as a match.
Copy of office communication prepared by Sharon Todd, ODOT hand delivered to Roose.
John McClain and Don McDowell, ODOT District 11 sent a letter to Roose stating: 1) 100% funding for plan preparation and construction. 2) September 1994 FHWA deadline. 3) Request for identification of a local sponsor. 4) A plan by the local sponsor on how the remaining rights of way will be acquired.
LWCF proposal is selected to receive $100,000. ODNR requests shifting the grant from bikeway construction to the development of a parking area at Cherry Valley Park.
Columbiana County Park District agrees to become the local sponsoring agency for the bike trail project.
Right of way appraised for ODNR/LWCF Grant.
Columbiana County Park District submits an application for ODOT Enhancement Program Funds for a Midway Parking Area near State Route 45. Projected cost, $40,000.
CCPD begins negotiations to acquire remaining right of ways: Richard Williams section (8/10ths mile); Boy Scouts section (6/10ths mile); Stephen Corffee (356 ft.); Conrail Corporation (8/10ths mile); Jim Hill (1.67 acres under SR 45 overpass).
CCPD organizes a "Pulling of the Golden Spike" ground breaking ceremony.
Midway parking area enhancement project was approved.
Jerry Wray, Director, ODOT, writes to Representative Sean Logan explaining the project is proceeding forward at this time. The Central Office Design Team is working on plans and the ODOT Environmental Services are getting the necessary clearances.
Students from the Columbiana County Career Center work clearing the trail.
ODOT District 11 conducts a field review.
An alignment of the trail route was agreed upon between ODOT and CCPD.
CCPD hosts two public meetings to display the alignment and get input. Local Horse Club objects to bike trail plan.
Richard Williams agrees to sell his 8/10ths mile section to the CCPD for $6,500.
Charles Harper and Dave Goerig meet with Timothy Kulp, property official for Conrail in Leetonia, to express Park's interest in acquiring the last 3/4 mile section of railbed (starting from the end of former Dickey land to Washington Street in Leetonia).
CCPD begins several fund raisers to acquire needed revenue for right of way purchases.
Buckeye Council states to CCPD they are not interested in selling their section of right of way.
CCPD sign legislation for ODOT to program the Midway parking area.
ODOT informs CCPD that the construction of the project will not be funded at 100%. ODOT will not be able to complete the engineering plan or the environmental study.
Jim Hill informs CCPD he is no longer willing to donate land for the Midway parking area.
CCPD realizes people are using the trail and identifies major safety concerns to repair. CCPD spends $1,500 to repair washout on railbed near Lisbon.
CCPD begins application process for funds from other sources to build trail.
Conrail gives CCPD a lease agreement for 1290 feet of right of way (to the village corporation line), 2,500 feet short of Washington street.
CCPD schedules two more public meetings with local leaders to discuss trail development options.
CCPD solicits letters of support for the project.
CCPD applies for an ODNR Recreational Trails Grant to fund trail improvements to address unsafe areas along the corridor.
ODNR approves the request of CCPD to become a co-sponsor of the original LWCF grant from 1992 for the Coke Oven Park area.
Leetonia agrees in writing to donate the trail to the CCPD after LWCF grant is completed.
Al Wardingly, Charlie Harper, and Dave Goerig meet with Art Taylor and Associates to begin engineering details for Coke Oven Park.
Donald Schneck, President, Buckeye Council Boy Scouts of America, Canton, OH, signs the right of way / grant of easement for the 6/10ths mile section.
Jan and Mike Riter, representing the International Mountain Bicycling Association from Boulder, Colorado, plan a stop on their national tour in Lisbon to promote the trail.
Letters of support sent to Jerry Wray, Director of ODOT.
ODOT agrees to fund 100% of the construction costs of the project. CCPD will have to fund all engineering costs. Environmental work will be handled by ODOT District 11 office.
Stephen Corffee expresses no desire to sell his 300+ foot section of the railbed. ODOT District 11 agrees to route trail along St. Jacobs-Logtown Road to 7/10ths mile.
Ohio Edison / First Energy donates 1.8 acres of land under power lines in Logtown to CCPD for use as a trail parking area.
ODNR approves final engineering plan of Art Taylor, P.E., for Leetonia Coke Oven parking area.
CCPD receives work of approval for the ODNR Recreational Trails Grant for $58,000.
State of Ohio, Office of Budget and Management supports CCPD view to allow an ODNR funded engineering plan to be constructed with ODOT / Federal Highway Fund monies.
CCPD submits application to ODNR for a $100,000 Nature Works Grant to pay for engineering plan of the trail. Columbiana County Parks and Recreation Committee approves the request.
The contractor chosen for the Coke Oven parking project, Richard Newell, P.E., retired, volunteers to represent the Village and CCPD as project manager.
ODNR awards $100,000 request to CCPD to fund the engineering plan of the trail.
ODOT gives CCPD a January 1, 1999 deadline for delivering the final engineering plan.
County Commissioners commit $20,000 local match for the engineering plan.
The Village of Lisbon commits $2,500 local match for the engineering plan.
The Coke Oven Parking Improvement project in Leetonia is completed.
Leetonia Village commits $2,500 to the local match for the trail engineering plan.
Leetonia Village transfers the deed of the railbed to CCPD.
CCPD chooses Thomas Fok and Associates to engineer the construction plan for the bike trail.
ODOT program "Col-Bikepath PID 12173" to be sold in 1999
CCPD hosts the 6th annual March for Parks on the trail to raise money for the project.
Fok and Associated submits completed plan to ODOT.
ODOT reviews and approves Fok's plan on how to build the trail.
Central Allied Construction chosen to build the trail.
Construction begins in the fall.
CCPD sends out PS for people to stay off trail so construction can be completed.
Construction was completed on June 30, 2000.
Ribbon cutting and Dedication of the Little Beaver Creek Greenway Trail, Allen Dickey Branch happened on September 15, 2000.
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