9-21-2026 9:42pm

Little Miami Trail Sees Repairs, Storm Cleanup and Safety Improvements

Beth Callahan Editor

WARREN COUNTY, Ohio — From storm cleanup and pavement repairs to a major erosion fix and new traffic signals, volunteers and government agencies have been busy maintaining and improving the Little Miami Scenic Trail throughout the summer.

Friends of the Little Miami State Park highlighted several of those projects in its latest newsletter, while also asking trail users to help support the volunteer organization responsible for much of the hands-on maintenance along the popular recreational corridor.

Friends of the Little Miami State Park is an all-volunteer nonprofit that works with the Ohio Department of Natural Resources to maintain and improve approximately 50 miles of paved trail. Volunteers clear brush and debris, maintain trailheads and kiosks, address safety concerns and assist with improvement projects.

Volunteers respond after powerful August storm

One of the biggest challenges this summer came after a powerful Aug. 11 thunderstorm, classified as a derecho by the National Weather Service, swept through Greater Cincinnati.

The storm brought high winds and heavy rain, leaving trees and branches scattered across the Little Miami Scenic Trail.

By the following morning, Friends volunteers and Little Miami State Park personnel were working from several locations to reopen the trail.

According to the organization, more than 15 volunteers helped clear at least 20 fallen trees and debris from more than 20 miles of trail. Crews used chainsaws, pole saws, blowers and a brush chipper. Work began around 8 a.m., and all trail blockages had been cleared by approximately 3 p.m.

The organization reminded bicyclists and pedestrians to slow down or stop when approaching volunteer maintenance crews and wait until workers acknowledge that it is safe to pass.

Trail pavement repairs underway

The Friends' North Trail Maintenance Team also has been working to address pavement problems in the northern portion of the park.

Crews used a specialized grinder to remove bumps caused by tree roots, concentrating much of their work between Corwin and Oregonia.

Volunteers also repaired cracks between Hedges Road and Spring Valley. Of particular concern were cracks running parallel with the trail because a bicycle tire can become caught in them, potentially causing a crash.

Those cracks were cleaned and filled with cold patch material. Volunteers also have been cutting roots alongside previously repaired areas in hopes of slowing future pavement damage.

The North Trail Maintenance Team, organized in summer 2025, assists ODNR with the trail from Hedges Road south of Xenia to Morrow.

Washout repaired beneath I-71 bridge

A significant Warren County repair also has been completed beneath the Interstate 71 Jeremiah Morrow Bridge.

Water flowing through a stream approximately 15 feet below the trail had gradually undercut the bank, eventually causing the fence, berm and part of the trail surface to fall toward the stream.

ODNR completed repairs in June, installing an engineered concrete wall system designed to resemble a traditional stone wall. The structure extends approximately eight feet into the hillside to stabilize the bank and help protect it from future erosion.

The bank was rebuilt, fencing replaced and the trail repaved. The section is now open.

Sewer construction affects Foster trail access

Trail users also should be aware of ongoing construction near the Foster, or Monkey Bar, trail access.

Warren County's Old 3C Highway sewer project includes upgrades to two sanitary pump stations on opposite sides of the Little Miami River and trail. A new sewer line is being installed between the stations.

Officials intend to keep the Little Miami Scenic Trail open during construction, although short-term closures may occur. A steel plate has been installed over a ditch immediately south of the road crossing, and trail users are being urged to slow down because of uneven surfaces.

Because the Old 3C Highway bridge is closed, access to Fosters Landing Park, the Monkey Bar and trail parking is available only from the Fosters-Maineville Road side.

The road portion of the project was expected to take approximately 13 weeks from its Aug. 17 start, weather permitting.

New traffic signal in downtown Loveland

Farther south, the City of Loveland has installed a new traffic signal where the trail crosses West Loveland Avenue.

The signal was scheduled to become fully active Monday, Sept. 21. Bicyclists and pedestrians are expected to follow the pedestrian “Walk” and “Hand” signals when crossing the roadway.

The signals are coordinated with the nearby traffic lights at State Route 48 and Karl Brown Way in an effort to improve trail safety while maintaining traffic flow through downtown Loveland.

Loveland police also planned to be present during the implementation period to help trail users and motorists adjust to the new crossing pattern.

Trail users reminded to be prepared

The newsletter also shared a recent example of trail users helping one another following a bicycle collision just north of the Peters Cartridge Factory.

Several passersby stopped to assist two injured cyclists, called 911, provided material for a head wound and retrieved a first-aid kit while waiting for Hamilton Township Fire and EMS.

Friends of the Little Miami State Park encouraged people using the trail to carry a charged cellphone, basic first-aid supplies and be prepared to call 911 in an emergency.

Friends group seeks donations

While volunteers continue the maintenance work, the organization said summer donations have declined.

President Becky Retzer said donations help purchase and maintain the equipment used by volunteer work crews, support trailhead and kiosk maintenance, remove debris and address safety concerns.

Donations can be made through the Friends of the Little Miami State Park website. Checks also may be mailed to Friends of the Little Miami State Park, 9378 Mason Montgomery Road, Suite 395, Mason, OH 45040-8827.

More information about the organization and the trail is available at littlemiamistatepark.org. The trail hotline is 513-212-6958.