Journal-News.com

HAMILTON — The Hamilton Community Foundation has reiterated its commitment to the city to donate a bike path as a legacy

gift.

The idea for a bike path along the canal was first proposed with a series of legacy gifts to celebrate the foundation's 50th anniversary in 2002. The skate park within Joyce Park is an example of other legacy gifts.

However, a portion of the bike path was slated to run along a tract of land with joint ownership claims by the city of Hamilton and Fairfield Twp. farmer Bruce Bonham.

The project has been on hold as the courts decided ownership of the land. The Ohio Supreme Court recently dismissed the cases, giving ownership to the city. Bonham has applied for a reconsideration, but the city believes his chances are slim.

"We were waiting to make sure the legal issues had been resolved," said John Guidugli, president of the foundation. "At whatever time the legal battle is resolved, we'll sit down with the city."

After more than five years of court battles, Guidugli said the foundation still will build the bike path despite the fact that costs have likely risen from the original proposal.

"We've made the commitment to do it," he said.

Guidugli estimates the new stretch will span about five miles. Upon completion and connection to the bike path along the Great Miami River, the bike path will run from Joyce Park to the Rentschler Forest Preserve in Fairfield Twp.

Hamilton Mayor Don Ryan said the extended bike path will benefit the city's riverfront development. He also thinks it will be used widely after connections stretch the path 30 miles between Fairfield and Franklin.

"There are communities and people living outside the city who are anxiously awaiting completion of the bike path," Ryan said.

The Miami Conservancy District is overseeing what will be called the Great Miami River Recreation Trail.

Contact this reporter at (513) 820-2190 or jrinaldi@coxohio.com.