Bike trail - a rendering provided by the East Liverpool Community Partnership for Revitalization, shows the route the East Liverpool Heritage Trail could take through the city. (Submitted image)

EAST LIVERPOOL- The City of East Liverpool kicked off a fundraising campaign to raise $180,000 for the bike trail through the city by announcing the name of the trail, The East Liverpool Heritage Trail and the establishment of the Friends of the East Liverpool Heritage Trail.

Drew Cooper, member, East Liverpool Community Partnership for Revitalization (ELCPR) who spoke at the kickoff event held Nov. 6 at the Museum of Ceramics said the group works on strategic initiatives that are transformative for the community with a focus on the downtown area.

“If we can get that part right, it will have a domino effect for the rest of the community,” Cooper said. “So, that is where we kind of found our niche.”

Cooper spoke on multiple events that take place downtown that get feet downtown and allow people to see the assets available and on the various committees and organizations that hold the events.

“There are no towns like this that really exist much anymore across the country,” Cooper said. “We have all lived in areas which there are strip malls in the area that are a dime a dozen. We have to preserve the gem of these small-town downtowns because they are where people, especially the next generation. We want to build this for the next generation, because these are the things they want. There is something appealing about what people call people centric spaces.”

Cooper went on to explain the vision for the bike trail and how it can show the beauty of the valley and draw people who want to hike and bike. The path will also go to the East End where people can walk/bike along the river. He noted these are assets that people don’t realize East Liverpool has.

Cooper also noted that when completed the bike trail would be the anchor and the destination for the Lake to Erie Greenway Trail which ends in Lisbon.

Cooper said the trail would bring activity and tourists into East Liverpool who would shop, go to restaurants, stay overnight, and engage in the community.

The bike trail introduced by East Liverpool City Council in 2019, is also about health and getting people out and active and community wellness giving people something to do, Cooper said.

According to an ELCPR media release, “The goal is to connect our community assets, promote healthier lifestyles and recreation while stimulating community and economic development.”

Cooper said since then the vision for the trail has gained significant traction and has received funding from Ohio Department of Transportation (ODNR) in the amount of $1.7 million and from Norfolk Southern in the amount of $40,000. But to unlock and utilize these investments, the city must raise $185,000 for matching funds.

Mayor Bobby Smith said he couldn’t thank everyone involved in supporting the city or the trail project.

Smith said he initially wasn’t supportive or enthusiastic about the trail project. He now sees it as a real gem for the city and that the trail is going to help keep the city heading in the direction and foster the good things to come along for the city.

He noted that going around the state he has seen the good things these trails have done for other cities.

America 250 has been noted as the first donor with their $25,000 donation due to the city’s association with the Point of Beginning. The funds donated have been allocated for a Point of Beginning trail head and visitor center.

Cooper noted that the friends of the trail was developed because they didn’t want to start building something and not have someone to maintain it. They also needed to build a community partnership that represents the community. Right now a partnership structure consists of the City of East Liverpool, ELCPR, LeapHub and Friends of the Trail.

Friends of the Trail has members from Columbiana County, City of East Liverpool, America 250, ELCPR and more, and is welcoming additional members who are interested in joining the organization.

Fundraising tiers with the Friends of the Trail include Trail Supporter at a $1,000 donation; Trail Friend with a $2,000 donation’ Trailblazer with a $5,000 donation; Ground Breaker with a $10,000 donation and Legacy with a $25,000.

The ELCPR is a registered 501 (c) (3) organization to which all donations are tax deductible.

To donate or volunteer for the trail contact Stu Wallace at stu.wallace@ourleaphub.com or 330-383-2292 or Lisa Painter at Lisa.painter@ourleaphub.com or 412-996-6588.

Donations can also be made at www.downtowneastliverpool.com, select the donate button or by check made out to ELCPR with bike trail in the memo line and mailed to LEAP Hub, 119 East 5th St., East Liverpool, Ohio 43920.

Donations can be made by Venmo @ELCPR.

Smith said they can’t do this without help, and it’s going to take the community to help get it done.