As we close out 2024, we’re proudly reflecting on a year filled with milestones and momentum! From enhancing The CROWN in Avondale to passing the first-ever Bicycle Transportation Plan in Covington and Newport, this year has expanded both our trail network and our community. Here’s a look back at some of the accomplishments that defined 2024.

---

Riding Strong into a New Council Term

We pedaled into 2024 with a powerful symbol of progress: seven City of Cincinnati Councilmembers biking to their inauguration. Their brisk five-mile ride along the Central Parkway’s protected bike lane—a bike facility many of them voted to fund—highlighted their shared commitment to active transportation. This moment of leadership set the tone for a year of remarkable progress.

---

Neighborhoods of Evanston and Avondale Embrace The CROWN

In April, the neighborhoods of Avondale and Evanston came together to illuminate the newest segment of the Wasson Way. Organized by Councilmember Mark Jeffreys, the event celebrated a $400,000 investment by the City of Cincinnati – marking the first new section of the CROWN to feature trail lighting. Tri-State Trails advocated for several years to City Council for this important trail enhancement with partners in Evanston and Avondale. This upgrade improves safety and symbolizes a commitment to equity, ensuring the trail remains accessible and welcoming for all neighborhoods.

Wasson Way in Avondale will become a little more colorful next year thanks to a $100,000 National Endowment for the Arts grant secured by ArtWorks in partnership with Tri-State Trails. Two new murals will be designed and installed to celebrate Avondale, enhancing the trail’s role as a public space that connects neighbors from diverse backgrounds. This initiative will also provide youth jobs and foster a sence of place along the trail.

---

The Best Bike-to-Work Week

In May, we participated in the region’s biggest Bike-to-Work Week celebration to date. It kicked off with the much-anticipated return of Red Bike, Cincinnati’s beloved bike share, which had temporarily shut down due to budget constraints. The successful reopening, supported by a coalition of city leaders, organizations, and advocates, helped power the Congress for the New Urbanism’s 32nd annual convening. Using Red Bike e-bikes, Tri-State Trails led five bike tours for city planners, architects, and urbanists showcasing Cincinnati’s burgeoning trail and bike scene.

The 15th Annual Breakfast on the Bridge, a longstanding Bike Month tradition organized by Tri-State Trails, brought together over 200 bicycle and trail enthusiasts to celebrate National Bike to Work Day. Despite the rainy weather, participants enjoyed a delicious breakfast while connecting with local organizations and strengthening the movement for bike-friendly infrastructure.

---

Fourth Edition Of The Low-Stress Bike Map Wins Awards

Tri-State Trails’ Fourth Edition Low-Stress Bike Map was released in June 2024, offering an even more comprehensive guide to biking in the urban core and first-ring communities. The map, a popular resource for local bicyclists, won Best Map at the Ohio GIS Conference. This award-winning tool continues to break down barriers to biking, helping residents safely navigate and enjoy their neighborhoods.

---

Planning for the Mill Creek Triangle Trail Takes Shape

Over the summer, Tri-State Trails launched the Mill Creek Triangle Trail Feasibility Study with a public open house and input session. The project team developed an initial set of routes and alternatives, complete with preliminary engineering cost estimates, for what will one day 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! Learn more about the study here.

---

Bicycle Transportation Plan Gets Covington and Newport Rolling

In August, the cities of Covington and Newport adopted their first-ever joint Bicycle Transportation Plan. This document will serve as a roadmap for expanding and connecting bicycling infrastructure in Northern Kentucky’s urban core. Led by Tri-State Trails, the plan’s adoption follows over a year of collaborative work between the two cities and the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet. The planning process, which began in January 2023, featured a robust community engagement effort, with over 450 individuals participating.

‘The Cities of Newport and Covington commend Tri-State Trails for their leadership and efforts in developing this plan,’ said Covington Mayor Joe Meyer and Newport Mayor Tommy Guidugli in a joint letter featured in the plan’s foreword. ‘It is aspirational and provides a thoughtful roadmap for addressing critical issues, creating a safer and more welcoming environment for bicyclists.’

---

NKY Meet the Candidates Ride: Advocating for Safer Streets

As a follow up to the Bicycle Transportation Plan, Tri-State Trails hosted the Northern Kentucky Meet the Candidates Ride in September. This unique event creates an opportunity for residents to ride bikes with candidates running for elected office. This hands-on learning experience provided a powerful platform for dialogue on improving infrastructure for walking, biking, and transit, reinforcing the importance of civic engagement in shaping the future of our streets.

---

Pop-Up Bike Shop Series: Neighbors Helping Neighbors

For the fourth straight year, Tri-State Trails partnered with Queen City Bike, MoBo Bicycle Co-op, the Major Taylor Cycling Club of Cincinnati, and Red Bike to host six Pop-Up Bike Shop events across the region. These events provided free bike repairs and safety gear, helping fix over 150 bicycles for community members.

We send a heartfelt thank you to the amazing volunteers and partner organizations who rolled up their sleeves to ensure our neighbors can experience the freedom and joy of a well-tuned bicycle.

---

Tri-State Trails named a GOLD Award Level Bicycle Friendly Business by the League of American Bicyclists

In recognition of our efforts to support cycling and active transportation, Tri-State Trails received a Gold-level Bicycle Friendly Business (BFB) award from the League of American Bicyclists. This recognition highlights the organization’s commitment to a culture of biking within the workplace and the broader community. We couldn’t have done it without our amazing office space at the University of Cincinnati’s Digital Futures complex!

---

Second Annual Tour de CROWN Celebrates Connectivity & Community

The second annual Tour de CROWN was a massive success, with nearly 600 participants and $40,000 raised for Tri-State Trails. The event underscored the growing support for the planned 34-mile CROWN urban trail network and its potential to enhance transportation, recreation, and economic development in the region. Riders and supporters shared excitement about the CROWN‘s progress, with the event serving as both a celebration and a call to action for further trail development.

---

Great Parks Gets Green Light For Key CROWN Connection

After nearly two decades of advocacy, planning, and coordination, the Ohio River Trail is finally in motion to connect Lunken Airport to Downtown along the Oasis rail line. Thanks to Great Parks, the City of Cincinnati, and Metro for their partnership in achieving this significant milestone. Great Parks subsequently secured $8 million from OKI Regional Council of Governments for the first phase of construction, which Tri-State Trails will match with $2.75 million in private funding from The CROWN Capital Campaign. This critical connection in the CROWN will connect the Little Miami Scenic Trail and Ohio to Erie Trail to Cincinnati’s riverfront park system downtown. Read more about it from the Cincinnati Business Courier and CityBeat.

---

Additional Community Connections Along The CROWN

The Wasson Way trail continues to expand with Phase 6B, which will extend across Montgomery Road into Xavier University’s campus thanks, to $450,000 in funding from The CROWN Capital Campaign. The groundbreaking for this phase marks an important step toward completing the trail’s full vision, with community leaders like XU President Colleen Hanycz and elected officials from Cincinnati and Norwood showing support for this transformative project.

In Mariemont, construction of the Mariemont Connector trail nears completion, thanks to a $100,000 contribution from The CROWN Capital Campaign. This new trail segment will improve connectivity within the Village of Mariemont and set the stage for future connections to the Little Miami Scenic Trail and Wasson Way.

---

National Initiative Invests In New Approach To Enhance Public Spaces & Promote Equity In Cincinnati

In October, Reimagining the Civic Commons, a collaboration of national foundations and civic leaders dedicated to revitalizing public spaces, announced a three-year, $550,000 investment in Cincinnati. This investment is part of ongoing support to complete the CROWN 34-mile urban trail loop.

In Cincinnati, the funding will support a cross-sector team working to advance The CROWN’s Mill Creek Greenway section from Northside to Lower Price Hill. Nationally, this investment is supporting teams of civic leaders across ten cities (including Cincinnati), all working to transform public spaces to counteract harmful trends facing America, from social isolation to economic segregation to climate change. The initiative’s innovative model supports changes in how communities design, manage, and program public spaces like parks, trails, community centers, libraries, and public gardens in ways that deliver critical social, economic, and environmental benefits.

---

8th Biennial Tri-State Trails Summit

The 8th Biennial Tri-State Trails Summit brought together a dynamic group of leaders, advocates, and visionaries to discuss the future of trails, civic spaces, and connectivity across the region. From emerging trail projects to solutions for accessibility, the event provided a platform for conversation and collaboration. With expert panelists, two inspiring keynote speakers, and immersive mobile workshops, the Summit showcased the power of community-driven efforts to create welcoming, vibrant spaces for all. It reaffirmed trails’ fundamental role in supporting physical and social connections across our region.

Tri-State Trails’ 2024 achievements demonstrate the power of community collaboration and our commitment to building a more connected region. With continued support from local leaders, advocates, and the public, we will keep pushing forward in 2025, bringing us closer to a fully integrated CROWN network and a more sustainable transportation future. Thank you to everyone who joined us in making 2024 a year of progress—we look forward to all we will accomplish together in the coming year!

---

Double Your Impact: Support The Future Of Trails Before December 31!

As we celebrate the progress of 2024, we invite you to help build the momentum for 2025 and beyond. Your support can go twice as far thanks to a $25,000 matching gift generously offered by:

• Bob & Jeanne Coughlin Family Fund
• Melissa & James Wilz Charitable Fund
• Rick Michelman & Karen Meyer Fund
• The Tri-State Trails Board of Directors

Every dollar you donate between now and December 31 will be matched, doubling your impact on building trails, expanding bikeways, and connecting communities.

Join us today and help turn our ambitious vision into reality! Together, we can create a more vibrant, sustainable future for everyone in the Tri-State region.

---