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Funding Sources

Ohio to Erie Trail Fund (OTETF) is a non-profit 501(c)(3) organization. We rely on the generous donations from people in a variety of capacities. The OTETF works with local partners to achieve local, state and federal funding for land acquisition, trail construction and related trail projects. Numerous organizations and individuals have joined together to establish the ever growing collection of trails which form the Ohio to Erie Trail.

The sources of funds for operation of the Ohio to Erie Trail organization as well as for land acquisition, design, and construction include:

Individuals & Families annual memberships
Annual Appeal Donations
Foundations & Other Non-Profit Organizations
Counties, Municipalities, Villages & Townships
Park Districts
Private businesses
EarthShare of Ohio workplace giving

State Funds: The Ohio General Assembly; the Ohio Department of Natural Resources (Nature Works grants); the Ohio Department of Transportation (Transportation Enhancement 21 funds); Recreational Trail Program (RTP); Clean Ohio Trails; the Land & Water Conservation Fund; and sometimes special capital budget earmarks

Federal: Direct Congressional grants for the Canal Heritage Area and Transportation Enhancement funds administered by the Ohio Department of Transportation; the Railroad Revitalization Act; and the National Park Service that manages the Cuyahoga Valley National Park and towpath.

We welcome your support of the Ohio to Erie Trail fund, we still have over 10% of the route on streets and roads and we continue to advocate to build trails in these locations.

Please donate to continue the work of the Ohio to Erie Trail Fund on this beloved Ohio recreational treasure.

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Funding Sources and Trail Fundraisers

Read our Fundraiser Promotion Policy as a PDF: Promotion Policy

Projects Funded 2024-2025

Kokosing Gap Trail Maintenance

The 13.5-mile long Kokosing Gap Trail in Knox County opened in 1991 and has been a part of OTET since the birth of OTET. In 2024, the KGT received a $1.14 million ODOT Transportation Alternative Program grant to mill and repave the entire trail in 2026. In preparation for repaving, the Kokosing Gap Trail was awarded a $10,000 grant from OTET to assist with culvert replacements and ditch modifications that need to be performed prior to repaving. A major tree-trim of the length of the trail that will accommodate the machinery needed for repaving was completed this past winter and the drainage projects are scheduled for fall 2025/winter 2026.

Sippo Valley Trail (Stark County)

The Ohio to Erie Trail organization wrote a letter of support for the grant application by the Massillon Area Greenways, Inc (MAGI) for funding from the Ohio & Erie Canalway Association to refresh and improve the asphalt trail surface along the Lincoln Park section of the Sippo Valley Trail in Massillon. The Sippo Valley Trail connects to the Ohio & Erie Canalway Towpath trail in Massillon and is within the boundaries of the Ohio & Erie Canalway National Heritage area and is an important east-west link to the north-south Towpath Trail in Stark County.

This project will address challenging trail conditions of the Sippo Valley Trail at Lincoln Park to address the deteriorating trail surface which caused difficulty for trail users, especially bicyclists, causing some

riders to crash and others to narrowly avoid a crash. This trail surface improvement would encourage increased trail visitation and increase satisfaction with the trail experience. The Board of the Ohio to Erie Trail Fund met on March 20, 2024, and adopted a resolution to commit $10,000 toward this project. The project was completed in the spring of 2025.

Friends of the Little Miami State Park Re-pavement Initiative

The Friends of the Little Miami State Park (FLMSP) have been actively raising funds from Fall 2024 to March 2025 to repave a three-mile stretch of trail that connects South Lebanon and Morrow. Trail users have identified the deteriorating condition of the asphalt surface as a major concern for maintenance and enhancement within the State Park. This section of the trail, which is 40 years old, is urgently in need of repairs.

The current disrepair affects various activities such as cycling, skating, running, and walking along the trail. With a combination of funding from the State, work to be completed by South Lebanon, and an additional $150,000 raised by Friends of the Little Miami State Park, the financial requirements are now fulfilled. Notably, the Ohio to Erie Trail organization has generously contributed $10,000 towards the final 10% needed to reach the funding goal. The anticipated work is set to take place in 2025 and 2026.

Holmes County Park District

The Ohio to Erie Trail contributed $15,000 to continue the progress on the 7.5 miles of trail being constructed on the abandoned railroad bed, which will run from the village of Glenmont to the village of Killbuck. The project is being completed in two phases and this contribution is toward the Trail Design & Engineering of Phase 5C.2 which is a trail construction project covering Route 520 to Killbuck. The first phase 5C.1 is 4 miles and is nearing construction completion in mid 2025. When complete, phase 1 will have trail from Glenmont to Route 520. The donation toward Phase 5C.2 Design & Engineering was approved by the board in 2019 and reaffirmed the request at the 11/12/24 Board meeting and disbursed the $15,000 to Holmes County Park District. This photo is from the Phase 5C.1 which is expected to open summer or fall 2025.

Learn more about the Glenmont to Killbuck project at this information page from the Ohio Department of Transportation.

ODOT Details

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Ohio to Erie Trail Policy on Publicizing Charity Events and Fundraising Efforts

The Ohio to Erie Trail values the many individuals, organizations, and causes that contribute to vibrant communities along our 326-mile trail corridor. While we celebrate this diversity of activity, the Ohio to Erie Trail’s social media platforms are reserved for promoting events and fundraising efforts that directly support our mission and vision.

Read our Fundraiser Promotion Policy as a PDF: Promotion Policy

Scope of Promotion

The Ohio to Erie Trail will only publish or promote events and fundraising activities organized by regional trail partners.
Events must directly advance or align with the Trail’s Vision—to be a world-class connected multi-use trail network encouraging discovery, adventure, tourism, health, well-being, recreation, and connections to nature and history—and Mission—to promote, preserve, and enhance a statewide trail network linking communities from the Ohio River to Lake Erie.

Review and Approval Process

All partner-submitted events must be vetted and approved by the Ohio to Erie Trail before publication.
The Ohio to Erie Trail reserves the right to revise event language to ensure that the purpose, tone, and presentation align with the organization’s standards and expectations.

Alternative Promotion

We recognize that many individuals, nonprofits, and social causes use the Ohio to Erie Trail as a meaningful backdrop for their fundraising and awareness events. While these efforts are valuable, the Ohio to Erie Trail encourages them to use other social media channels and networks that directly address and amplify their cause and mission.

By following this policy, we ensure that the Trail’s communication channels remain focused on supporting our core mission while encouraging a wide range of community activities to thrive through their own dedicated platforms.