Best trails in Medina County Parks, Ohio

A parking lot located on the south side of Chippewa Road, approximately a quarter-mile east of Lake Road, provides access to the rail trail. The Chippewa Rail Trail is on 51.8 acres. Funds from an Ohio Department of Transportation grant were used to develop the Chippewa Rail Trail from Chippewa Road to Wycliffe Drive in Lafayette Township. This trail has nice wooded areas adjacent to it and an interesting variety of existing plant species along its length. This is a perfect trail for hiking, biking, and rollerblading. Chippewa Rail Trail was purchased by the park district in 1992 from CSX Railroad Corporation. The line connected the former B&O mainline from the Lester Junction in York Township through the city of Medina to Chippewa Lake. In conjunction with the former inter-urban system, this line was used to access the park and to ship ice harvested from the lake. The park district and the city of Medina are examining ways to link the trail into the city for the convenience of those wishing to access the trail without driving to the Chippewa Road parking area. Accessibility: There is 1 designated handicapped-accessible space in the paved parking lot off Chippewa Road. It is van-accessible with striped access aisles. The trail surface is paved asphalt, smooth, and typically at least 10 feet wide. The estimated grade is gentle (3% or less), except for one steep (8-12%) section uphill at about 0.1 miles going north/downhill. Wheelchair/mobility equipment or stroller users may need assistance there or to avoid this section. Show more