Roberts Pass is a paved

multi-use trail A shared-use path, mixed-use path or multi-use pathway is a path which is 'designed to accommodate the movement of pedestrians and cyclists'. Examples of shared-use paths include sidewalks designated as shared-use, bridleways and rail trails. A ...

in Madison County in the

U.S. state In the United States, a state is a constituent political entity, of which there are 50. Bound together in a political union, each state holds governmental jurisdiction over a separate and defined geographic territory where it shares its sover ...

Ohio Ohio () is a state in the Midwestern region of the United States. Of the fifty U.S. states, it is the 34th-largest by area, and with a population of nearly 11.8 million, is the seventh-most populous and tenth-most densely populated. The sta ...

. Along with the Prairie Grass Trail it serves as the Madison County segment of the

Ohio to Erie Trail The Ohio to Erie Trail is a dedicated multi-use trail for non-motorized vehicles that traverses the U.S. state of Ohio, from southwest to northeast, crossing of regional parks, nature preserves, and rural woodland. Construction began in 1991, wi ...

. Bicyclists, hikers, runners, rollerbladers and other groups such as bird watchers and nature lovers have the opportunity to explore the natural beauty of Central Ohio as the trail weaves its way across the county. The entire length of the Roberts Pass Trail is part of the

Great American Rail-Trail __NOTOC__ The Great American Rail-Trail is a cross-country rail trail in the United States. The trail will run between Washington D.C. in the east and the state of Washington in the west. The planned trail is already more than 53% complete, w ...

, U.S. Bicycle Route 21 and

U.S. Bicycle Route 50 U.S. Bicycle Route 50 (USBR 50) is a planned east–west cross country U.S. Bicycle Route that currently consists of two discontiguous sections: a western section between San Francisco and Border, Utah, and an eastern section between Ter ...

History

Roberts Pass was intended to be included as part of the Prairie Grass Trail. Due to the difficulty of getting right of way, it was thought this section would remain on country roads. As the result of herculean efforts of local volunteers, the right of way was secured and a work lane cleared for later construction. In a local campaign to rename this special section of trail; Bill Young, one of the original members of the Friends of Madison County Parks and Trails, coined the term “Roberts Pass” which were the last names of two of the organization’s leaders. On June 4, 2005 the House of Representatives of the 126th General Assembly of Ohio renamed that section Roberts Pass in honor of (and to the surprise of) Wayne Roberts and Gene Pass. A memorial plaque is mounted on a stone along the trail near Maple Street that briefly records this story.

Location

*West terminus at London: *East terminus west of Lilly Chapel (and west terminus of

Camp Chase Trail The Camp Chase Trail is a paved multi-use trail in Madison and Franklin counties in the U.S. state of Ohio. It serves as the Southwest Columbus segment of the Ohio to Erie Trail. The entire length of the Camp Chase Trail is part of the Great Amer ...

Route

Roberts Pass is long between Maple Street in London and Wilson Road in eastern Madison County. The surface is asphalt and much of the trail has trees on both sides. To the west of Maple Street, the Ohio to Erie Trail follows a signed street route SW across London where it connects to the Prairie Grass Trail at Midway Street on the west side of London.

Future Route

The current signed street route through London is handy to find local amenities, however, it is the intentions of the City of London and local enthusiasts to eventually have an off-street route across London through the historical downtown area. Right-of-way issues continue to delay this off-street route project.

Communities adjacent to the trail

* South Charleston – Prairie Grass Trail * London * Lilly Chapel –

Local Attractions

Outdoor * Roberts Pass Trailhead * Madison Lake State Park * Madison County historical courthouse. * London historic downtown area * Cowling Park * Community swimming pool * Prairie Grass Trailhead * Madison County Fairgrounds with campground Indoor * Madison County historical museum * London art gallery * Various restaurants

Milestones

* June 4, 2005 the House of Representatives of the 126th General Assembly of Ohio officially named the trail section "Roberts Pass" in honor of Leaders of Friends of Madison County Parks and Trails, Wayne Roberts and Gene Pass. * October 2010 Construction was completed on the Roberts Pass Trailhead on the east side of

London London is the capital and largest city of England and the United Kingdom, with a population of just under 9 million. It stands on the River Thames in south-east England at the head of a estuary down to the North Sea, and has been a majo ...

References

External links

Friends of Madison County Parks and Trails

{{Ohio hiking trails Bike paths in Ohio Rail trails in Ohio Hiking trails in Ohio Central Ohio Greenways