Oxford Area Trail

The Oxford Area Trails project is a 12-mile multi-use trail system designed to enhance connectivity, accessibility, and outdoor activity in the City of Oxford. The project, developed in phases, connects key destinations such as Miami University, schools, parks, and local businesses.

ROUTE PLANNING & COST ANALYSIS 
This phase included route analysis, schematic design, and cost estimates for the northwestern arc of the trail. After a design charrette with City staff, alternative trail alignments were developed to maximize user experience and minimize disruptions to properties. Public outreach resulted in significant feedback, leading the city to suspend most of the proposed route except for a segment through the Knolls of Oxford, where a cooperative landowner was involved.

PHASE I
Bayer Becker designed and surveyed phase I, constructing one mile of new paved trail and incorporating 1.25 miles of an existing Miami University trail. The 10-foot wide trail focused on minimizing environmental impact by preserving mature trees and following the natural grade through the floodplain, with pedestrian bridges reducing land disturbance. This phase received $500,000 in Clean Ohio Trail Funds.

PHASE II
Phase II extends 1.53 miles from Peffer Park to SR 73 and includes two bridges over Collins Creek and Four Mile Creek. Following ODOT and NEPA guidelines, the design maximized safety and accessibility while preserving wetlands, streams, and habitats for protected species like Sloan’s crayfish and the Indiana bat. The trail maintains a maximum grade of 5% for ADA compliance, with retaining walls and culverts minimizing ecological impact. This phase was awarded Transportation Alternatives Funds.

PHASE 5
This phase adds 2.38 miles of trail connecting Talawanda High School and Talawanda Middle School, passing through the approved South Farm and Heron Pond developments, Cobblestone Church, and the Butler County Regional Transit Authority Multimodal Station. Scheduled for construction in 2025, this phase is funded by a $2.7 million Surface Transportation Block Grant and supplemented by local funding sources. It will further enhance walking and cycling access in Oxford.