Community leaders gather in Xavier's backyard to celebrate latest phase of Wasson Way Trail
Jun 30, 2023
On Friday, Cincinnati Mayor Aftab Pureval thanked Xavier University as one of many community partners contributing to the latest phase of the Wasson Way pedestrian and bike trail.
Pureval and other city representatives gathered with community leaders behind Xavier University’s Alumni Center at the future trailhead of Wasson Way’s Phase 6a, which will extend almost 1 mile between Woodburn Avenue in Evanston and Blair Court in Avondale. This section of the trail will be built along a former rail line between the University and Avondale.
The mayor also noted the “amazing upcoming support from Xavier” in looking ahead to the trail’s Phase 6b, which will be built entirely on the University’s campus between Dana Avenue and Montgomery Road.
“Today’s ceremony marks a massive new chapter in our work to connect residents throughout the city,” Pureval said.
Readers can view a map of Phase 6 or a map of the entire proposed Wasson Way Trail on the City of Cincinnati website.
The trail currently stretches from the edge of Xavier’s campus at Montgomery Road to Ault Park, which also enables the University community to ride or walk to popular areas such as Rookwood Commons and Hyde Park Plaza.
Xavier Director of Government Relations Sean Rhiney, one of the speakers at Friday’s groundbreaking ceremony, lauded the collaboration that has powered the trail initiative and noted how the overarching Wasson Way effort aligns with Xavier’s values of sustainability and caring for the earth, promoting health and well-being, and building solidarity with surrounding communities.
“We feel deeply connected to this important work,” Rhiney said.
With all seven phases of Wasson Way slated for completion by 2025, the trail will ultimately span more than 6 miles from Martin Luther King Drive to Ault Park.
Wasson Way is a key east-west corridor in CROWN, the Cincinnati Riding Or Walking Network. CROWN will create a 34-mile trail loop connecting Wasson Way to the Murray Path, Little Miami Scenic Trail, Canal Bikeway, Ohio River Trail, Mill Creek Greenway Trail, and more.