HOWLAND - As work continues at the bike trail off North Road in Howland, a local bike group is planning events with local scouts and other organizations to utilize the trail.
Steve Zerefos, a volunteer who has helped in clearing the trail, said the Rust Belt Revival Trail Coalition, a new mountain bike club, has been meeting the Trumbull MetroParks Board to offer mountain bike classes on the trail.
Zerefos said he plans to go to Cub and Boy Scouts this fall and next spring to propose to include a mountain bike option as part of the Boy Scout's bicycling merit badge.
Zerefos said that he plans to speak with Zach Svette of the MetroParks at an upcoming parks board meeting about working with local bicycle shops to offer free riding lessons to children who purchase a mountain bike. Plans are to make a brochure.
"We want to be get people involved with the trail,'' he said.
As for the Howland Nature Trail off North Road, work is continuing by volunteers, the township's health and wellness committee and Girl and Boy Scout groups.
Zerefos said work will continue through the winter on the trail when it is less hot, and there is less poison ivy and fewer mosquitoes. The trail has a one-mile loop which will take it closer to the creek, he said.
"We are working to make the trail safe for beginner bikers,'' Zerefos said.
He will attend the November park board meting to discuss trail project.
Zerefos said there are plans to seek Wean grants to help with the trail.
Already work has been done at the site including creating a new parking area, kiosk with maps and brochures and trail sign. There are also benches located along the trail.
Svette said the North Road Nature preserve is located off Candlelight Drive and Harvard Drive and opened in September.
He said a one-mile, single-track mountain bike trail has been developed by members of the coalition, the Howland Wellness Committee, Girl Scouts Troop 598 and other volunteers. The trail can be used by off-road cyclists and hikers.