In the fall of 2018, the city acquired 20 acres of land contiguous to the existing Boettler/Southgate Park campus. This vacant parcel, with access to Koons Road to the north is the location for the proposed Willadale Trail. Willadale Trail, a key segment in the future Boettler/Southgate Connector trail, is designed to be a 4277 LF, 10’ wide chip and seal/aggregate multi-purpose trail and boardwalk. The trail provides connection to surrounding neighborhoods, access to the property’s wetland and increases mileage within the existing Boettler/Southgate trail system.
The Boettler/Southgate Connector trail proposes to connect the Boettler/Southgate Park trail system to central Green and the Green Schools campus providing immediate linkage with the city’s Buckeye Trail section, Central Park, Veteran’s Park, Green Public Library, Central Administration Building and the Massillon Road corridor. Completion of this active transportation corridor also positions the city for future connection to the Nimisila Reservoir Metro Park. Heading south, the Boettler/Southgate Connector may potentially connect to the proposed Portage Lakes Trail as identified on the Stark Parks Master Trail Plan and the Ohio & Erie Canalway Towpath Trail.
To date, the City of Green has been awarded $828,400 in grant funding for the construction of the trail. The project is anticipated to be bid in late 2023 or early 2024.