Columbus approves emergency $40,000 grant for regional trail planning
The funding settles an overdue invoice with the Mid-Ohio Regional Planning Commission while securing local technical assistance credits and forum admissions.
Columbus City Council has authorized an emergency $40,000 advance-payment grant to the Mid-Ohio Regional Planning Commission to support the Central Ohio Greenways program and pay an overdue invoice. The legislation took immediate effect upon approval by the mayor under an emergency designation.
The Department of Public Service requested emergency action to provide resources at the earliest possible time and sustain trail connectivity that increases the safety of the traveling public. According to city records, the Central Ohio Greenways program has delivered meaningful value to the region over the last 10 years by enhancing connectivity and promoting active transportation and outdoor recreation.
To fund the grant, the city authorized a $40,000 transfer of appropriation within its Mobility Enterprise Operating Fund. The measure reallocates the money from services to other operating expenses within the Division of Mobility and Parking Services to align municipal accounts, according to the legislative text.
In exchange for funding the 2026 sponsor rate, Columbus secures several local municipal benefits, including a $10,000 annual technical assistance credit. The credit applies to work through the Greenways Planning Studio or the Trail Town Program, covering trail planning, feasibility, engagement, or nature-based projects.
The grant agreement also provides complimentary forum passes for up to five staff or community members twice a year. In addition, Columbus receives sponsorship recognition on the newest print version of the Regional Bikeway Map, logo display on major regional presentation title slides, and a live link on the program website, according to city records.
The Central Ohio Greenways network encompasses almost 400 miles of existing trails across a 15-county region. Established in 2015, the greenways board developed a regional trail vision in 2018 that now spans 1,120 miles—including 675 miles of proposed routes and 50 miles of committed, funded trails—as Central Ohio's population is projected to reach 3.1 million by 2050.
How we know this
The sources and records behind this story, with the facts they support.
Supporting evidence (12)
Columbus City Council has authorized an emergency $40,000 advance-payment grant to the Mid-Ohio Regional Planning Commission to support the Central Ohio Greenways program and pay an overdue invoice.
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This ordinance authorizes the Director of the Department of Public Service to enter into an advance payment grant agreement with The Mid-Ohio Regional Planning Commission (MORPC), a not-for-profit organization, for $40,000.00 in support of the 2026 Central Ohio Greenways (COG) Regional Program Fund per Columbus City Code Chapter 111.14.
Columbus City Council has authorized an emergency $40,000 advance-payment grant to the Mid-Ohio Regional Planning Commission to support the Central Ohio Greenways program and pay an overdue invoice.
Read supporting passage
Emergency action is requested to ensure funds are available to support the 2026 Central Ohio Greenways program and to pay the 2026 New Program Sponsorship fee in order to provide resources at the earliest possible time so that MORPC can continue to enhance connectivity and trail planning for the traveling public and to pay the past due invoice.
The legislation took immediate effect upon approval by the mayor under an emergency designation.
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SECTION 7. That for the reasons stated in the preamble hereto, which is hereby made a part hereof, this ordinance is hereby declared to be an emergency measure and shall take effect and be in force from and after its passage and approval by the Mayor, or ten days after passage if the Mayor neither approves nor vetoes the same.
The Department of Public Service requested emergency action to provide resources at the earliest possible time and sustain trail connectivity that increases the safety of the traveling public.
Read supporting passage
Emergency action is requested to ensure funds are available to support the 2026 Central Ohio Greenways program and to pay the 2026 New Program Sponsorship fee in order to provide resources at the earliest possible time so that MORPC can continue to enhance connectivity and trail planning for the traveling public and to pay the past due invoice.
The Department of Public Service requested emergency action to provide resources at the earliest possible time and sustain trail connectivity that increases the safety of the traveling public.
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WHEREAS, an emergency exists in the usual daily operation of the Department of Public Service in that it is immediately necessary to authorize the Director of Public Service to pay the past due invoice, and to enter into an advance payment in full grant agreement with the Mid-Ohio Regional Planning Commission to provide the necessary resources for the Central Ohio Greenways sponsorship program and to ensure continued success of the program and trail connectivity, which increases the safety of the traveling public, for the immediate preservation of the public health, peace, property, safety and welfare;
According to city records, the Central Ohio Greenways program has delivered meaningful value to the region over the last 10 years by enhancing connectivity and promoting active transportation and outdoor recreation.
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WHEREAS, the Central Ohio Greenways program has delivered meaningful value to the region over the last 10 years; and WHEREAS, the Central Ohio Greenways program has enhanced connectivity and promoted active transportation and outdoor recreation;
To fund the grant, the city authorized a $40,000 transfer of appropriation within its Mobility Enterprise Operating Fund.
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Funding for this expense is available in the amount of $40,000.00 within the Mobility Enterprise Operating Fund. Transfer of appropriation within the fund is necessary to align spending within the appropriate object class.
The measure reallocates the money from services to other operating expenses within the Division of Mobility and Parking Services to align municipal accounts, according to the legislative text.
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SECTION 2. That the transfer of appropriation in the amount of $40,000.00 or so much thereof as may be needed, is hereby authorized within Fund 6500 (Mobility Enterprise Operating Fund), Subfund 650001 (Mobility Enterprise), Dept. 59-06 (Division of Mobility and Parking Services), Object Class 03 (Services) to Object Class 05 (Other) per the accounting codes in the attachment to this ordinance.
In exchange for funding the 2026 sponsor rate, Columbus secures several local municipal benefits, including a $10,000 annual technical assistance credit.
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The City of Columbus will be eligible for the following local community benefits: Free admission for five staff or community members to attend COG Forums twice a year, $10,000 annual credit for technical assistance from the Greenways Planning Studio or the Trail Town Program-including the help with trail planning, feasibility, engagement, or nature-based projects and recognition on a live link to the community’s website, logo recognition on major regional presentation title slides, and opportunities for sponsorship recognition on the newest print version of the Regional Bikeway Map.
The credit applies to work through the Greenways Planning Studio or the Trail Town Program, covering trail planning, feasibility, engagement, or nature-based projects.
Read supporting passage
The City of Columbus will be eligible for the following local community benefits: Free admission for five staff or community members to attend COG Forums twice a year, $10,000 annual credit for technical assistance from the Greenways Planning Studio or the Trail Town Program-including the help with trail planning, feasibility, engagement, or nature-based projects and recognition on a live link to the community’s website, logo recognition on major regional presentation title slides, and opportunities for sponsorship recognition on the newest print version of the Regional Bikeway Map.
The grant agreement also provides complimentary forum passes for up to five staff or community members twice a year.
Read supporting passage
Free admission for five staff or community members to attend COG Forums twice a year, $10,000 annual credit for technical assistance from the Greenways Planning Studio or the Trail Town Program - including help with trail planning, feasibility, engagement, or nature-based projects, and a live link to the community’s website, logo recognition;
In addition, Columbus receives sponsorship recognition on the newest print version of the Regional Bikeway Map, logo display on major regional presentation title slides, and a live link on the program website, according to city records.
Read supporting passage
The City of Columbus will be eligible for the following local community benefits: Free admission for five staff or community members to attend COG Forums twice a year, $10,000 annual credit for technical assistance from the Greenways Planning Studio or the Trail Town Program-including the help with trail planning, feasibility, engagement, or nature-based projects and recognition on a live link to the community’s website, logo recognition on major regional presentation title slides, and opportunities for sponsorship recognition on the newest print version of the Regional Bikeway Map.
https://www.morpc.org/central-ohio-greenways/
Supporting evidence (2)
The Central Ohio Greenways network encompasses almost 400 miles of existing trails across a 15-county region.
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Now, 10 years after the COG Board’s establishment, our network spans almost 400 miles of existing trails in our now 15 county region. The regional trail vision now spans 1,120 miles with 675 miles of proposed and 50 miles of committed and funded trails. As Central Ohio’s population is projected to reach 3.1 million by 2050, trails will play an increasingly critical role in providing transportation alternatives, access to nature, and a sense of communal connection.
Established in 2015, the greenways board developed a regional trail vision in 2018 that now spans 1,120 miles—including 675 miles of proposed routes and 50 miles of committed, funded trails—as Central Ohio's population is projected to reach 3.1 million by 2050.
Read supporting passage
Established in 2015, the COG Board’s mission addresses the demand to expand the number of trail miles, increase access to trails, and encourage the use of trails for everyone. In 2018, COG developed a Regional Trail Vision to add more than 500 miles of trails to its existing then 230-mile network across seven counties. These proposed miles extended existing trails, filled gaps in trail corridors, connected neighborhoods to job centers, and created a truly interconnected network serving as the backbone of the region’s active transportation and outdoor recreation network. Now, 10 years after the COG Board’s establishment, our network spans almost 400 miles of existing trails in our now 15 county region. The regional trail vision now spans 1,120 miles with 675 miles of proposed and 50 miles of committed and funded trails. As Central Ohio’s population is projected to reach 3.1 million by 2050, trails will play an increasingly critical role in providing transportation alternatives, access to nature, and a sense of communal connection.