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Photo Gallery

These pages include various photos of our trail construction activities and other events of interest. We are proud of our large collection of photos from the very beginnings of our work, that help to document the history of trail development.

The majority of these photos were taken by two of our founding members, Wayne Roberts and Gene Pass.

Click on the gallery title banner to view the gallery. As you navigate through each gallery, click on the small thumbnail photos to see a larger photo with captions. Click on your browser's "back" button to return to the previous page.

Documentary of development and construction of the Maple St to Walnut St trail extension in downtown London. Construction began in November 2017.

Construction began in April 2016 on a small primitive trailside camping area at the Prairie Grass Trailhead in London.

This annual educational bike ride was started in 2005 by botanist and prairie enthusiast, Jack McDowell. This year's ride was co-led by Julia Cumming - Program Administrator of Madison Soil and Water Conservation District, John Silvius - professor emeritus of biology at Cedarville University, Matt Silveira - Corporate Environmental Manager, CEMEX Corp, and Karen Stombaugh - Madison County Master Gardeners.

In 2015, the annual FMCPT fall ride covered 340 miles in five and one-half days on the Ohio to Erie Trail. The ride began in Cleveland on the Lake Erie pier at Voinovich Park near the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame, and ended at the Purple People Bridge in Cincinnati.

This annual educational bike ride was started in 2005 by botanist and prairie enthusiast, Jack McDowell. This year's ride was co-led by Julia Cumming - Program Administrator of Madison Soil and Water Conservation District, John Silvius - professor emeritus of biology at Cedarville University, Matt Silveira - Corporate Environmental Manager, CEMEX Corp, and Karen Stombaugh - Madison County Master Gardeners.

In June of 2015, FMCPT member Alan Knowles did a round trip out-and-back ride of the Ohio to Erie Trail, completing the 664+ mile ride in just 6 days.

Submit your photos to our Photo Contest! Enter the gallery for more details.

The Blue Herons are multiplying in great numbers! We have received some very nice photographs, and will continue to post them as they are received.

In 2014, the annual FMCPT fall ride covered over 360 miles in 7 days across the state of New York from Buffalo to Albany on the Erie Canalway Trail.

In 2013 the FMCPT fall ride covered over 334 miles in 6 days on the Great Allegheny Passage and C&O Canal Trail from Pittsburg, PA to Washington, DC.

This annual educational bike ride was started eight years ago by botanist and prairie enthusiast, Jack McDowell. This year's ride was co-led by Julia Cumming, Program Administrator with Madison Soil and Water Conservation District, Hope Miller who was interning with the district, and John Silvius - professor emeritus of biology at Cedarville University.

Andy Niekamp, aka "Captain Blue" visited London in the Spring of 2013 during his 20-day hike of the entire Ohio to Erie Trail.

Tom Recktenwalt, founding web master of the Miami Valley RailTrails website, was also a coach and mentor in the creation of the fmcpt website.

Thirteen members from FMCPT took a 341-mile, four and a half day ride across the state on the Ohio to Erie Trail. The ride began at Sawyer Point in Cincinnati, where they dipped their rear wheels in the waters of the Ohio River, and ended at Edgewater Park in Cleveland, where they rolled their front wheels into Lake Erie.

The Friends of Madison County Parks and Trails have lost a dear friend with the passing of Jack McDowell, on Friday July 20th, 2012.

Large new display maps are being placed at the ends of the trail on each side of London to encourage cyclists to "visit the GAP in the trail" and take advantage of the amenities throughout the city. In addition, green arrows with a number "1" are being painted along the bicycle street routes in London. The #1 stands for the Ohio to Erie Trail, and the arrows are intended to make it a little easier for cyclists to find their way across London between the trails on the east and west sides of the city.

The final segment of the Camp Chase Trail through Madison County to the Battelle-Darby Creek Metro Park was officially opened on a beautiful Spring day in March.

Thanks to all of you that braved a frigid winter day to come to our 7th Annual Pancake & Sausage Breakfast!

Despite the windy weather, we had ten hearty souls that came for the 2012 New Year Ride.

The opening ceremony of the Alum Creek Trail section of The Ohio to Erie Trail (from Innis Park to Sunbury Rd.) took place on Friday, July 15, 2011.   During the ceremony, historic Bridgeview Bridge was dedicated in memory of Ed Honton, founder of the Ohio to Erie Trail.

Our first London to Brighton Bike Tour was a success, and we had some suprise participants in the 4th of July Parade!   (You can also view an excellent photo gallery of the London to Brighton Bicentennial Bicycle Tour on the Madison County Convention & Visitor's Bureau Facebook page!)

During our Bicentennial celebration in 2011, GOBA scheduled a 2-day layover in London.   (You can also view an excellent GOBA photo gallery on the Madison County Convention & Visitor's Bureau Facebook page!)

In May of 2011, Life Scout Matt Pritchard began his Eagle Scout project of cleaning up the future site for the London Nature Preserve and Wetlands.

Our second Family Fun Bike Fest took place on Saturday, May 21, 2011 at the London Baptist Church shelter house, on state Route 665, near the Roberts Pass trail head. Activities included a bike rodeo, trail ride, lessons on bicycle repair and safety, and games.

Documentary of the planning and construction stages of the future London Nature Preserve. Construction has been completed on the first phase - the new Roberts Pass Trailhead on the east side of London. A ribbon cutting ceremony took place on Thursday, October 28, 2010.

Our first Family Fun Bike Fest took place on Saturday, August 21, 2010 at the London Baptist Church shelter house, on state Route 665, near the Roberts Pass trail head. Activities included a bike rodeo, trail ride/scavenger hunt, displays of antique and unusual bikes, lessons on bicycle repair and safety, games, and the raffle of a Giant Cypress hybrid bike.

The Friends of Madison County Parks and Trails installed a bicycle rack sculpture at the Prairie Grass Trailhead on June 30, 2010. The letters were designed and fabricated by the welding class at Tolles Career & Technical Center, with teacher Bill Pencil.

The parking area at the Wilson Rd trailhead was paved in November 2009. FMCPT members repositioned and upgraded the car stops donated by Tim Wilson and the United Methodist Church.

On Friday, September 18, 2009, FMCPT members completed the 4th Annual Milford Ride. After an overnight stay in Xenia, the group completed a "Century Ride" to Milford and back on Saturday, and returned to London on Sunday.

A Memorial Dedication Ceremony to honor long time FMCPT member Randy Baker took place on Saturday, June 18, 2009.

On Saturday, May 23, 2009, a Memorial Dedication Ceremony took place to honor FMCPT Board Member Bill Young for his many years of service for the Ohio to Erie Trail and our community.

Bill helped cut through the initial trail in Madison County, as well as raise funds and community awareness of the linear park. Bill was a Trail Sentinel and spent many hours helping to keep the trail safe and secure. Bill was also a co-owner of Young's Cyclery in London which supported many cyclists in the area.

A documentary of construction on the segment of the trail from the Wilson Road terminus in Madison County to the Battelle-Darby Creek Metro Park in Georgesville, and on to Columbus.

The Friends of Madison County Parks and Trails lost another dear friend with the passing of Bill Young on Saturday, November 1, 2008. Bill suffered a fatal heart attack along the Prairie Grass Trail just outside of London, while doing what he loved – cycling.

On Friday, September 12, 2008, FMCPT members embarked on a weekend ride to Cincinnati. After an overnight stay in Xenia, the group completed a "Century Ride" to Milford and back on Saturday, and returned to London on Sunday.

26 additional parking spaces were added to the Prairie Grass Trailhead in 2008

A Memorial Dedication for Richard McKenzie and Stacy Taylor-Meredith took place on Saturday May 24, 2008 at the Senior Center trailhead.

Our 3rd Annual Pancake & Sausage Breakfast took place on Saturday, February 23, 2008 at the Madison County Senior Center in London.

Paving was completed on the Maple Street to Wilson Road segment of the Ohio to Erie Trail, and a ribbon cutting ceremony took place on December 1, 2007.

Documentary of construction of the final phase of the "Roberts Pass" segment of the Ohio to Erie Trail from Maple Street to Wilson Road. Construction began in October 2004, and paving was completed in the Fall of 2007.

An Eagle Scout Project by Jacob Williams and Boy Scout Troop 104 - June 2007

The Friends of Madison County Parks and Trails have lost a dear friend with the passing of Richard McKenzie, Friday evening, June 8th, 2007, after fighting a battle with Congestive Heart Failure.

On September 9, 2006, FMCPT members embarked on a weekend ride to Cincinnati, to attend the Junction Trail Festival in Milford, Ohio. After an overnight stay at Kings Island, the group completed their 106-mile round trip back to the London trailhead.

An interesting collection of photos taken before, during and after construction of various segments of the Prairie Grass Trail - March 2006

An Eagle Scout Project by Matt Grigsby and Boy Scout Troop 102 - December 2005

An Eagle Scout Project by Sean Deaver and Boy Scout Troop 104 - November 2005

Maple Street Landscaping Project began in August, and completed in October 2005

A documentary of the develop of the program, along with ongoing activities - September 2005

The Maple Street to Wilson Road segment of the Ohio to Erie Trail was completed with a limestone base, and a ribbon cutting ceremony took place on July 2, 2005

The first annual DARE To Care family bicycle ride took place on May 29, 2005

Jack McDowell, a land management coordinator for Franklin County Metro Parks, has identified and prioritized areas along the trail corridor where clearing and grubbing should take place to remove overgrowth, poison ivy and other invasive species. This will give some of the rare and endangered prairie plants a chance to regenerate themselves. This ongoing project began on 2-19-05.

FMCPT members display photographs taken on the Prairie Grass Trail - January 2005

Documentary of construction of the final phase of the "Roberts Pass" segment of the Prairie Grass Trail. Construction began in October 2004, and paving was completed in the Fall of 2007.

Photographs of the unique native prairie grasses and wildflowers taken on the Prairie Grass Trail - August 2004

FMCPT members Alan Knowles and Don Burton recorded observations of over 30 species of birds on the trail between London and South Charleston - July 2004

The London to South Charleston segment of the Ohio to Erie Trail opened on June 26, 2004

Documentary of construction of the footbridge at the Senior Center Trailhead, completed by FMCPT members in May 2004

Documentary of construction of the trailhead shelter, along with ongoing activities. Construction began in April 2004. (Madison County Senior Center - 280 West High Street in London)

Documentary of FMCPT activities on the Prairie Grass Trail, beginning in 2002

Documentary of FMCPT activities along the Downtown London Corridor, beginning in 2000

Documentary of FMCPT activities from Downtown London heading east, beginning in 2000

Documentary of FMCPT activities from Spring Valley to Glade Run, beginning in 2002, including removal of the legendary Deer Creek Bridge Cabin

Documentary of FMCPT activities from Glade Run to Wilson, beginning in 2000

Documentary of construction and ribbon cutting along the Prairie Grass Trail between Cedarville and South Charleston

Documentary of the annual London Strawberry Festival Bike Tour. Life Scout Chris Slagle of Boy Scout Troop 104 organized this tour in 2002 as his Eagle Scout Project.

Documentary of FMCPT involvement in the community, beginning in 2001

Documentary of each FMCPT Annual Public Auction, beginning in 2003

The City of London has become a frequent destination for GOBA, hosting an overnight stay for over 2500 cyclists in 2002 and 2006. During our Bicentennial celebration in 2011, GOBA scheduled a 2-day layover in London.

In 2001, XOBA passed through London. Five Madison County residents were among the 200 riders that traveled by bicycle from the shores of Lake Erie to the Ohio River

In 2001 and 2002, the MS 150 Bike Tour started and finished in London. This tour is a charitable fund raiser conducted by the National Multiple Sclerosis Society.

West Jefferson event visits London area in 2001.

In 2000, Rodger pedaled 3250 miles in 48 days, and raised over $15,000 for the American Lung Association.

FMCPT members Deb and Dan O'Kelly take a self-guided mountain bike tour from Telluride, Colorado to Moab, Utah in the summer of 2001.

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