With the second annual Tour de CROWN ride taking place on August 24, we couldn’t be more excited to showcase the new and planned trails in the Cincinnati Riding Or Walking Network. Around this time last year, the City of Cincinnati had just broken ground on Wasson Way Phase 6A, and now, participants in the 34-mile ride will get to experience the new segment for themselves. Spanning from Blair Court in Avondale to Woodburn Avenue in Evanston, this pathway represents another major advocacy accomplishment for Tri-State Trails, as it positions the trail to connect to Uptown in the coming years. One of our favorite aspects of this segment is the lighting that was installed in April at the request of the Avondale and Evanston neighborhoods. Don’t miss out on the fun – register today!

Oasis Trail Secures Key Approval

After nearly two decades of advocacy, planning, and coordination, the Ohio River Trail along the Oasis rail line has received the green light! This critical connection in the CROWN will connect Lunken Airport and the Little Miami Scenic Trail to Cincinnati’s riverfront park system downtown. In June, Great Parks applied for a $8M in federal funds to OKI Regional Council of Governments to build the first half of the project. Thank you to Great Parks, the City of Cincinnati, and SORTA/Metro for their partnership in achieving this significant milestone. Read more about it from the Cincinnati Business Courier and CityBeat. 

New Connections Coming Online

In 2024, we’re looking forward to two new segments of the CROWN being constructed. Along Wasson Way, the gap between Montgomery Road and Woodburn Avenue will take a step forward. Tri-State Trails is partnering with Xavier University and the City of Cincinnati to install new signalized crosswalks at Montgomery Road and Dana Avenue at Idlewild Avenue. These improvements will be made possible thanks to grant funding from the Ohio State Capital Budget and SORTA’s Transit Infrastructure Fund. Additionally, the CROWN will privately fund the construction of the first 0.1 miles of Wasson Way on Xavier’s campus, from Montgomery Road to Station Way (the parking lot for University Station). The final alignment of Wasson Way will extend from Station Way to Dana Avenue after the College of Osteopathic Medicine is complete in the coming years.

Farther east, the Village of Mariemont will advance another 0.2 mile segment of trail from the Mariemont Library to Miami Avenue. The CROWN will help fund the match for the grant the Village has been awarded by Ohio Department of Natural Resources. This project will connect to Great Parks’ Columbia Connector trail, which will extend from the Mariemont Library to the Little Miami Scenic Trail in 2026.

Seed Funding Awarded for Railroad Removal through Sawyer Point

With the passing of the State of Ohio 2025-2026 Capital Budget, $140,000 has been committed to remove the railroad tracks embedded in the Ohio River Trail through Sawyer Point downtown. The tracks pose a falling hazard for cyclists, skaters, and other trail users, especially when they are slick. The planned improvements, which will be completed in partnership with Cincinnati Parks, anticipate the increased traffic along the path in advance of the Ohio River Trail being extended eastward to Lunken Airport along the Oasis rail line. Additional fundraising will be needed to execute the track removal – stay tuned for how you can help.

ArtWorks NEA grant for Wasson Way

ArtWorks was recently awarded a $100,000 Our Town grant from the National Endowment for the Arts to support a public art project for the CROWN. In partnership with Tri-State Trails and local community groups, ArtWorks will install public art in Avondale along Wasson Way. This project aims to celebrate Avondale’s diversity through public art, create a welcoming environment, and foster community belonging. From July 2024 through June 2026, it will also provide 24 youth jobs at a living wage. 

Mill Creek Triangle Trail Planning

Earlier this spring, Tri-State Trails launched the Mill Creek Triangle Trail Feasibility Study with a public open house and input session. The project team for the feasibility study developed an initial set of routes and alternatives, complete with preliminary engineering cost estimates, for what would become the Mill Creek Triangle Trail network – extending the reach of the CROWN into central Hamilton County. The open houses garnered nearly 500 public comments! Read more about the feasibility study here. 

 CFD Bomb Squad Facility Relocation Sets Stage for Mill Creek Greenway Trail Expansion

For years, residents living in neighborhoods around the Mill Creek Corridor have been rattled by disruptive noises and plumes of smoke emerging from Cincinnati Fire Department’s Fire Training Center in Millvale. However, last month, Cincinnati City Council voted to move forward with exploring the relocation of the facility. Not only would this move address critical environmental equity concerns for South Cumminsville and Millvale – the facility is across the street from Ethel M. Taylor Elementary – but it also presents a major opportunity for expanding the Mill Creek Greenway Trail as part of the CROWN. Read more from CityBeat here.

Join the Movement

The momentum behind the CROWN continues to build with each passing month. Our collaborative vision for a connected and vibrant trail network is becoming a reality. You can show your support for our work by making a donation to Tri-State Trails.

Stay tuned for more updates, and join us in our mission to create a world-class trail network. Together, we can build the CROWN for the Queen City!