February 13, 2006 – The Lorain County Metro Parks has announced its selection of a design team to provide architectural and engineering services for the Black River Bike Trail Extension Project. The goal of the project is to add 11-1/2 miles to the Bridgeway Trail, a 3-1/2 mile paved all-purpose trail that follows the Black River through the Black River Reservation. The trail is one of the most popular recreational attractions in the Metro Parks and is used year-round by Lorain County residents and visitors.

Landscape architecture and planning firm Behnke Associates, Inc., is taking the lead design role. KS Associates is providing design engineering, surveying and construction administration services.

The project is being funded by park district grants that were created as a result of a $1.3 million levy passed by voters in November 2005. According to Dan Martin, director, Lorain County Metro Parks, “Because we operate with only levies and donations, and go in front of voters only once every ten years, this is a significant opportunity for the park and our community. This project supports our 10-year plan, Preserving the Past: Planning for the Future, aimed at providing a safe, well-maintained park for future generations."

The project will be executed in four phases, with Phase I slated for completion in 2007. Phase I will include approximately 2.5 miles of new bikeway and will require the design and construction of four new bridges.

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