2-18-2025 9:41pm

Warren County Park District Secures $500,000 Grant for Shaker Village Trail Project

Beth Callahan Editor

Photo courtesy of Warren County Park District of Shaker Village Trail

LEBANON, OH -- Warren County Park District (WCPD) is excited to announce that it has partnered with Otterbein SeniorLife Lebanon and Union Village to secure a $500,000 Clean Ohio Trails Fund grant from the Ohio Department of Natural Resources (ODNR) to fund the Shaker Village Trail. This paved multi-use trail will run 0.8 miles along State Route 741 in Lebanon, Ohio, and will provide a vital connection for pedestrians, cyclists, and golf cart users between key community destinations, including the 311-acre Armco Park, Otterbein SeniorLife Lebanon, and the planned community of Union Village.

The future Shaker Village Trail is named in honor of the Shakers who settled the area in 1805. This accessible paved trail will enhance pedestrian and bicycle access in an area that currently features high-speed rural roadways and will vastly improve safety and connectivity for the surrounding communities. The Shaker Village Trail is part of the Lebanon-Turtlecreek Trails Initiative (LTTI), and future trail extensions are planned to extend to Historic Downtown Lebanon, the Little Miami Scenic Trail, and the Miami Valley Trail Network.

Matt Latham, CEO of the Warren County Park District, expressed his enthusiasm: “This grant will be a transformative step toward creating safer, more accessible pedestrian and bicycle connections. The Shaker Village Trail will not only connect three vital destinations but also enhance the outdoor experience for walkers, bikers, and residents, promoting healthier lifestyles and a stronger sense of community.”

Jill Wilson, President/CEO of Otterbein SeniorLife, highlighted the benefits for the Otterbein Lebanon community: “Otterbein sees the Shaker Village Trail as a win-win for the entire community. It will boost park visitation for the Park District, improve connectivity for Union Village residents, and promote healthy, active living for seniors at Otterbein.”

“We are excited to be a part of this important project,” said Matt Obringer, project manager at Union Village Ohio. “The trail will provide Union Village residents with easy and safe access to Armco Park and its many outstanding amenities.”

The total project cost of the Shaker Village Trail is estimated at $770,000. The $500,000 ODNR grant will cover most of the project, with the remaining $270,000 to be split equally between Union Village, Otterbein, and the Warren County Park District. Construction is scheduled to begin in Summer 2026.

About Warren County Park District -

Warren County Park District is a county-wide park and green space provider, managing 1,716 acres in 12 parks across the County including its flagship parks, Armco and Landen-Deerfield. Our mission is to enhance our community's well-being by preserving quality natural spaces where all are invited to discover and experience the great outdoors. For information, see www.WarrenCountyParks.com, email parks@warrencountyparks.com, or call (513) 695-3980.

About Otterbein SeniorLife

Active since 1912, Otterbein SeniorLife is a faith-based, senior care organization with locations
throughout Ohio and in Franklin, Indiana. Otterbein serves over 7,500 seniors annually via 11 full-service senior continuing care communities, nine skilled nursing and rehabilitation neighborhoods, multiple home health and hospice care agencies, and a staffing organization. The Otterbein SeniorLife mission is “Inspired by faith, we strive to enrich individual life journeys for all.” For more information, visit www.otterbein.org.

About Union Village Ohio

Union Village Ohio is a unique village under construction in Turtlecreek Township (Warren County)
Ohio. Designed on the principles of new urbanism, Town Architect Michael Watkins earned the Urban
Planning John Russell Pope Award for the Union Village master plan. Touting charming front porches,
masterfully crafted homes, beautiful park spaces and tree-lined streets, the Village will grow to
include restaurants, shops and amenities in walking distance to homes. For more information
visit unionvillageohio.com or call (513) 409-3190.