Downtown London Corridor / London Nature Preserve Project

The overall aerial map is a "caricature" map in which the true proportions of the distances between features is greatly reduced and the relative size of the features is greatly enlarged.

From the beginning, our vision has included continuing construction of the trail from the Senior Center terminus at Midway Street straight ahead along the low-use industrial rail spur corridor through downtown London, to the Maple Street trailhead.

London Nature Preserve overall aerial map

Main Street & Depot Overview

This drawing illustrates an overview of the Historic Train Depot area and Main Street.

Historic Train Depot

This drawing illustrates a view from the depot back toward Main Street.

Historic Madison House

This drawing shows the Madison House and proposed micro-brewery.

Downtown Revitalization

This drawing shows the possibilites on Main Street.

Petting Zoo

An agriculture-themed petting zoo highlights Madison County's rich farming heritage.

Roberts Pass Park

The Maple St. Park sketch shows the familiar stone and plaque, and also now shows a small shelter building in the train depot vernacular. It has a small station sign hanging from the near eave and two benches perpendicular to the trail. Also showing is one solar light and (hopefully) a new and improved ice cream shop beyond. There is some bike rack parking to the immediate right of the shelter for visitors to enjoy the small park.

Heritage Grove

Heritage Grove is a very cool amenity along the trail that solves the no-man's land between the trailhead and the Maple St. terminus of the trail. This is a "drive-through" mini museum done in partnership with the Madison County Historical Society and the London Tree Commission. It would feature up to a dozen slanted info panels or artifacts spaced along both sides of the trail. They will tell the story and significance of London and Madison County in the development of the area.

There are small pull-offs to allow bikers and walkers to look more closely out of traffic. Key phrases like "Cattle Drive" or "Rail Hub" will entice riders to slow down or stop. In between these displays will be evenly spaced specimen trees with info plaques. They will form a beautiful alley and will add greatly to this concentrated stretch of trail, and can be enjoyed by walking from the trailhead or the ice cream end. The end points of the Heritage Grove are marked by a reproduction of early Madison County stone monuments.

Roberts Pass Trailhead

The new Trailhead is shown in two sketches, one aerial view, and one street level view entering the driveway. There is a small kiosk near the trail entry point that is simply a shorter version of the original shelter building. It would contain map info and maybe brochures. The lamppost is in the small wedge near the parking lot and the solar panel would look better if placed on the kiosk roof. The permeable parking pavers are shown on the parking lot and could be extended to the access path as well.

Access

This sketch illustrates access from the trailhead to the London Nature Preserve, featuring a historic railroad Train Depot pavilion structure, additional parking, and a boardwalk through the wetland.

Madison Pond Overlook

The Madison Pond Overlook is designed to utilize two of the smaller shelters, joined at an angle to fit the site. There is a larger cupola at the intersection and maybe a small interpretive display centered beneath. The familiar memorial bench is still there but is joined by another, and water's edge deck. It is possible to pull bikes off the trail and go right under the shelter. Some light plant screening separates the natural environment from the trail. This sketch introduces dog walking as one of the trail uses, in addition to the tandem bike at left. Note: this view is looking across the trail rather than down the barrel.

Trailside Camping

This sketch shows proposed trailside camping just past the Wetland Overlook.

If you would like FMCPT to give a presentation to your organization or business about this project, please email FMCPT@columbus.rr.com.

FMCPT is interested in receiving Letters of Support for this project from local individuals, organizations, and businesses. We encourage you to write FMCPT at PO Box 308, London, OH 43140.

Your support will assist us to gain the backing of local officials as well as help us during the grant writing phase. If you have any questions, please feel free to contact us.

Click here to view our photo gallery documenting 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.