Park district taken to task over trail

Personally, I think the state should invest our tax dollars into every road in Ohio, before we spend a dime on sum-buddy's hobbytrail.

Frankly, iff'n this was truely important to Leman, he would be at the front of a fundraisin' effort to assist in the care of his beloved tricycle trails, not whinin' like a little girl because the trail is a little bumpin i places and it hurts his little fanny.

Betamax wrote:

Personally, I think the state should invest our tax dollars into every road in Ohio, before we spend a dime on sum-buddy's hobbytrail.
Frankly, iff'n this was truely important to Leman, he would be at the front of a fundraisin' effort to assist in the care of his beloved tricycle trails, not whinin' like a little girl because the trail is a little bumpin i places and it hurts his little fanny.

Ernie owns a bike shop, it's not a hobby trail for him, it's his business. He sells bikes to the people that ride this trail. Because he's honest, he stands behind what he sells. If he sells bikes that get damaged on this trail, he stands behind his product and fixes it, usually at his expense. If I were you I'd think twice before you bad mouth Ernie again, he's got a lot of friends.

I have purchased bicycles accessories, and components from Ernie Bike shop for at least 20 years. He has always treated me with respect and given me good deals. He has never once "shocked or disappointed" Me. He is just trying to look out for a local resource (during these less than stellar economic times).

Jeff wrote:

<quoted text>
Ernie owns a bike shop, it's not a hobby trail for him, it's his business. He sells bikes to the people that ride this trail. Because he's honest, he stands behind what he sells. If he sells bikes that get damaged on this trail, he stands behind his product and fixes it, usually at his expense. If I were you I'd think twice before you bad mouth Ernie again, he's got a lot of friends.

That's stepping over the line Jeff, so I hope you're being sarcastic.

i happend to ride this trail today, from baberton to west tusc. i don't think it's that bad. some sections are rough but anyone with common sense can get through it.

Jeff wrote:

<quoted text>
Ernie owns a bike shop, it's not a hobby trail for him, it's his business. He sells bikes to the people that ride this trail. Because he's honest, he stands behind what he sells. If he sells bikes that get damaged on this trail, he stands behind his product and fixes it, usually at his expense. If I were you I'd think twice before you bad mouth Ernie again, he's got a lot of friends.

great post

Betamax,
It seems as though your commentin' was done without a lot of thinkin'. While Ernie doesn't mind the bumpy sections of trail himself, he is in it for the good of the other people, who have broken ribs, arms, and other bones on the rough sections of trail. Also, Ernie organizes and runs a Bicycle Poker run twice a year to help fund the Ohio and Erie Canalway Coalition. He is also at the forefront of the Massillon Area Greenways Incorperated (MAGI), a local group commited to improving the trail. So before you speak next time...think.

I have used the trail from Bolivar to Cleveland several times over the past 6 years. I enjoy as each section is opened up and connect disjointed sections. My family has vacationed in Xenia, Ashtabula, and Holmes county to ride the trails in those areas. The trails in Xenia are superb and attract numerous tourist bringing in dollars for hotels, restaurants, and other supporting services.
With the flooding in the past couple of years, sections of the trail in Stark county, my wife and daughter do not feel it is safe to use. The length that Fonte admitted to not being in good repair is over 0.7 miles long according to the reporting. New methods need to be prevent flooding of the path and eroding the path.
Stark has a good start in making a destination for tourists and visitors to our area, but must maintain the surface for those who are more timid of poor surfaces.

politicians don't care about the condition of the towpath cause there's no kickbacks to be had. i've used the trail many times and it's definitely deplorable.

Jeff wrote:

<quoted text>
Ernie owns a bike shop, it's not a hobby trail for him, it's his business.

Well then, there we have it. Let Ernie pay for it, since it's his business.

I did get shiver's think about bein' accosted by Ernie's friends, all wearin' spandex shorts. I probably won't sleep for several nights now.

Our bike club has been using the towpaths for new riders who are not used to riding on the road. It is supposed to be a pleasant ride, bringing more people outdoors, and have fun while exercising, in a safe area. We seldom have endured accidents UNTIL we began riding these particular trails. Our strong endurance riders have incurred bodily injuries and damages to their bikes all because of the treacherous, unknown areas on the trail, that can take riders by surprise. My home county, Stark, should want to be one of the best sections of the trail, giving it a spectacular reputation that it cares about the safety of it's recreational areas, that also bring in great revenue to businesses and new housing. If they don't care, then same on them.

In my last sentence - it was meant to say "SHAME on them". Twice said is even better.

All anyone needs to do is to ride the Towpath Trail sections in Summit and Cuyahoga counties to know what a terrible embarrassment the section of the towpath trail is in Stark County.

It's clear that the current leadership is out of touch with the concepts of quality and safety exhibited by trails elsewhere.

Money needs to be funneled toward the repair of the canal near Canal Fulton for the boat before a couple of sections of this trail repaired.

My daughter and I ride and hke the paths regularly. Guess what....The path was first laid in the early 1800's. Get over the damned obstacles and let i be a true adventure. My God, It is not and never was a paved road so lets be down to earth about it. You get the chance to see scenery you otherwise would not and if you hit a bump.....well......get on your cellio phone and call in the troops to suck you out of the hostil territory you have so willfully found yourself in and go home!

The parks are a giant rip off.