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Friends of the Little Miami State Park Summer Appeal
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A recent post on the Little Miami State Park Facebook page expressed:
“There's something truly special about biking through Little Miami State Park!
🚴
With serene stretches of trees, a gentle breeze from the river, and the way it encourages a slower pace of life,
it’s the ideal way to enjoy a relaxing afternoon.
Here, there’s no pressure or rush, just the simple pleasure of cycling.”
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By Becky Retzer, President, FLMSP
We are sincerely thankful for this beautiful resource, and Friends of the Little Miami State Park is dedicated to preserving and enhancing the
50-mile paved trail. We collaborate closely with the Ohio Department of Natural Resources to protect the park's natural river environment while ensuring a safe and enjoyable experience for all trail users.
While summer increases trail usage, it often leads to a decrease in donations. We invite you to consider supporting our 100% volunteer organization.
Your contributions will help us maintain a peaceful space for many to unwind and savor their time on the Little Miami State Park trail.
- Less than 10% of our annual budget goes towards administrative expenses.
- Over 90% of our funding focuses on achieving our mission.
You may make an online donation by clicking
here
Or mail a check to: Friends of the Little Miami State Park
9378 Mason-Montgomery Road, #395
Mason, OH 45040
Thank you for joining us in continuing our mission to make the Little Miami State Park a safe and enjoyable park for all.
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Safe Trails:
Wise Decisions
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On a beautiful summer day, few places rival the serenity and charm of the Little Miami Scenic Trail. It’s a haven for health and wellness, a gateway to nature’s wonders, and a place for
solitary reflection or shared camaraderie. Whether your goal is to walk a mile, run five or ten, or bike 20, 50, or even more, the trail offers rewards that go beyond the physical.
But summer brings its own set of challenges. Heat, humidity, thunderstorms, and high winds can transform a peaceful outing into a risky endeavor. At best, these elements are inconvenient;at
worst, they’re dangerous. Staying safe means making smart choices before you step foot on the trail and staying aware once you’re out there.
Before You Go
- Always check the weather forecast. It's your first line of defense.
- Let the forecast guide your plans. Sometimes, choosing not to go is the wisest call.
- Decide when to go, how long you'll stay, where you'll head, and what to bring—hydration is essential.
While You’re Out
- Tune in to your surroundings and how your body feels.
- Watch out for inertia, rigid adherence to plans, and peer pressure; each can cloud your judgment.
- Flexibility is key. Think, “If I end early today, I can be stronger tomorrow,” or “Let’s turn back now and stay safe.”
Last summer, I learned this the hard way. I set out on a long hike during a heat advisory. Confident in my heat tolerance and with plenty of fluids packed, I forged ahead. After two and
a half hours, a strange sensation threw me off balance. I slowed down, feeling disoriented. I stopped and called my daughter to pick me up. I had developed heat exhaustion, and its effects lingered for over a week.
Given the same conditions again, I’d choose differently: a shorter hike, a treadmill indoors, or postponing it altogether. The trail, and the weather, will always be there another day.
Final Thought The weather will be what the weather will be. But your response to it makes all the difference.
The choices you make can be the difference between an “ah!” and an “uh-oh!” experience.
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Do You Know What Trail You're On?
Trail Signage
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by Dick Feldman
Route Signs: The Little Miami State Park signs contain a lot of information. The second portion down combines the key routes that use the Little Miami Scenic Bike Trail as park of their trail system.
The bike trail is designated as
US Bike Route 21. The US Bike Route System was established by the American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials. The first U.S. Route was designated in 1982. Today there are 41 U.S. Bike Routes that travel across 26 states and
the District of Columbia. There are segments of five U.S. Bike Routes in Ohio encompassing 1,400 miles.
State and US Bike Route System
The bike trail is also a key portion of
Ohio Bike Route 1, also known as the Ohio to Erie Trail. OTET is a 326-mile network of trails from Cincinnati (Ohio River) to Cleveland (Lake Erie), mostly using land formerly occupied by railroads and canals.
Ohio to Erie Trail
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In 2022, through efforts of Steve Murphy and the Friends of the Little Miami State Park, the park was designated by the United States Department of the Interior, National Park Service as a
National Recreation Trail. The
National Recreation Trail Seal is now at every sign tree. National
Recreation Trails
The trail is also part of the
North Country National Scenic Trail. The North Country National Scenic Trail is a hiking trail system stretching 4,800 miles from North Dakota to Vermont. The system is sponsored by the National Park Service and the North Country Trail Association.
NOCO Scenic Trail
And finally, the trail is part of the
Buckeye Trail. For nearly 1447 miles, the Buckeye Trail winds around Ohio, reaching into every corner of the state. From a beachhead on Lake Erie near Cleveland, to a hilltop overlooking the Ohio River in Cincinnati,
a hiker can experience a little of all that Ohio has to offer. The blue rectangle/blaze under the Buckeye trail logo usually appears on trees and tells the hiker that they are on the Buckeye Trail. On the Little Miami Scenic Trail between Spring Valley to
just south of Caesar Creek bridge the blaze turns white indicating that this portion is an alternate Buckeye Trail route. The main route shifts east through Caesar Creek State Park and along Caesar Creek Lake before rejoining the Little Miami Scenic Trail.
Buckeye Trail
The next section of the sign tree identifies the nearest cross street.
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Depot Brewing Company
Depot Brewing has officially opened in Morrow, in the old train depot right along the trail. While serving beverages brewed on site and partnering with Fresh to Morrow Cafe, they aim to become a social hub in Morrow. Check them out below
and stop in on your next ride.
Depot
Brewing
Fresh
to Morrow Cafe
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Morrow Bike Shop
There's a new shop to assist you with any bike repair or tuneup you might need while in Morrow. The Morrow Bike shop has opened and owner Issac Shelton would be happy to assist you.
Morrow
Bike Shop
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History Lesson
Here's a short clip talking about the Little Miami Railroad and its history in Morrow. Enjoy!
The
Depot Story
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August 2 -
Cappy's to Cappy's Trail Tour
August 3 -
Little Miami Half Marathon.
Watch out for Trail Runners!
This race kicks off at Phegley Park in Morrow and runs along the trail.
Please pass along any events that are happening along the Trail, particularly those that impact everyday users.
Note: Repaving of the trail between Morrow and South Lebanon is expected to occur in September. We will post the actual construction dates and whether the trail will be closed during construction.
Stay tuned to see your support at work!
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