As Introduced

136th General Assembly

Regular Session S. C. R. No. 17

2025-2026

Senator Hicks-Hudson

Cosponsors: Senators Antonio, Wilson, Weinstein

A c o n c u r r e n t R E S O L U T I O N

To support the creation of a U.S. Great Lakes Waterfront Trail.

BE IT RESOLVED BY THE SENATE OF THE STATE OF OHIO (THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES CONCURRING):

WHEREAS, The Great Lakes are the largest system of freshwater lakes in the world; and

WHEREAS, Canada's Great Lakes Waterfront Trail stretches more than 2,250 miles from Lake Superior to the St. Lawrence River at the Ontario-Quebec border. The trail is a greenway route of interconnecting roads and off-road trails joining more than 150 communities, including Indigenous nations; and

WHEREAS, There are currently three established or emerging pedestrian and bicycle international crossings between the United States and Canada; and

WHEREAS, The National Park Service's Rivers, Trails, and Conservation Assistance Program is currently mapping a potential route for a recreational trail along all eight Great Lakes states; and

WHEREAS, Recreational trails connect people with nature, improve public health, and foster economic activity; and

WHEREAS, The State of Ohio and its communities have worked to establish a scenic byway, local trails, and bike routes across its 312 miles of Lake Erie shoreline; and

WHEREAS, Extensive planning has been done to envision shoreline experiences, especially in the greater Cleveland area and Sandusky; now therefore be it

RESOLVED, That we, the members of the 136th General Assembly of the State of Ohio, support the work being done towards the creation of the U.S. Great Lakes Waterfront Trail; and be it further

RESOLVED, That we, the members of the 136th General Assembly of the State of Ohio, urge Ohio agencies, regional planning organizations, metropolitan planning organizations, and other interested entities to continue to coordinate with other states on a shared identity for this regional trail; and be it further

RESOLVED, That the Clerk of the Senate transmit duly authenticated copies of this resolution to the news media of Ohio.