Roberts Pass

Roberts Pass is a paved multi-use trail in Madison County in the U.S. state of Ohio. Along with the Prairie Grass Trail it serves as the Madison County segment of the 330-mile (530 km) Ohio to Erie Trail. 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, U.S. Bicycle Route 21 and U.S. Bicycle Route 50.[1][2][3]

Roberts Pass
Length6.5 mi (10.5 km)
LocationMadison county, Ohio, United States
Designation USBR 21 / USBR 50 / State Bike Route 1
TrailheadsLondon to near Lilly Chapel
UseMulti-use
DifficultyEasy (fully accessible)
SeasonYear-round

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.[4] 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: 39°53′07.0″N 83°26′13.4″W
  • East terminus west of Lilly Chapel (and west terminus of Camp Chase Trail): 39°53′23.3″N 83°18′50.8″W

Route

Roberts Pass is 6.5 miles (10.5 km) 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 – Camp Chase Trail

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.[5]
  • October 2010 Construction was completed on the Roberts Pass Trailhead on the east side of London.[6]

See also

References
  1. Vitale, Marty (May 29, 2014). "Report to SCOH". Louisville, Kentucky: Special Committee on U.S. Route Numbering, American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials. Archived from the original (Office Open XML) on May 31, 2014. Retrieved June 1, 2014.
  2. Townley, Jennifer (April 10, 2014). "USBR 50 update" (PDF). Ohio Department of Transportation. Retrieved June 1, 2014.
  3. Special Committee on U.S. Route Numbering (May 2021). "2021 Spring Meeting Report to the Council on Highways and Streets" (PDF) (Report). Washington, DC: American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials.
  4. "Ceremony to Celebrate Roberts Pass Section of Trail". The Madison Press. 30 November 2007. Retrieved 14 April 2014.
  5. "Roberts Pass Dedication". Retrieved 14 April 2014.
  6. "Friends of Madison County Parks and Trails". FMCPT. Retrieved 11 April 2014.
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