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SCR 17

Support the creation of a U.S. Great Lakes Waterfront Trail

136th Legislature (2025-2026) Introduced by Nickie Antonio and 3 co-sponsors

Ohio backs a cross-border U.S. Great Lakes Waterfront Trail and urges interstate coordination to align planning, branding, and benefits.

Referred to committee
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Bill Summary · SCR 17

Summary of SCR 17 (Session 136, Ohio) – Support the Creation of a U.S. Great Lakes Waterfront Trail

Basic information

  • Type of measure: Concurrent resolution
  • Sponsor(s): Senator Hicks-Hudson (primary), with co-sponsors Senators Antonio, Wilson, Weinstein; also listed as cosponsors: Steve Wilson, Paula Hicks-Hudson, Casey Weinstein, Nickie Antonio
  • Session/status: 136th General Assembly; Offered March 3, 2026; Referred to committee March 4, 2026
  • Jurisdiction: Ohio

Purpose and intent

  • The resolution expresses formal support by the Ohio General Assembly for the creation of a U.S. Great Lakes Waterfront Trail.
  • It aims to align and promote a cross-border, multi-state recreational trail that would run along the Great Lakes shoreline, connecting communities and fostering regional collaboration.

Key provisions and content

  • Statement of purpose: Acknowledges the Great Lakes as the world’s largest system of freshwater lakes and highlights the potential benefits of a regional waterfront trail.
  • Acknowledgement of existing work: References Canada's Great Lakes Waterfront Trail (over 2,250 miles, linking 150+ communities including Indigenous nations) and ongoing mapping efforts by the National Park Service’s Rivers, Trails, and Conservation Assistance Program to identify a potential route across all eight Great Lakes states.
  • Health, economic, and recreational rationale: Emphasizes that recreational trails promote public health, outdoor access, and economic activity.
  • Ohio-specific context: Notes that Ohio and its communities have already developed shoreline-related infrastructure (scenic byways, local trails, bike routes along Lake Erie’s 312 miles) and has engaged in shoreline planning for areas such as Greater Cleveland and Sandusky.
  • Policy directive: The resolution instructs Ohio agencies, regional planning organizations, metropolitan planning organizations, and other interested entities to continue coordinating with other states to establish a shared identity and alignment for the regional trail.
  • Communication/acknowledgement: Requires the Clerk of the Senate to transmit authenticated copies of the resolution to Ohio news media.

Potential impact and significance

  • Symbolic and political support: Signals bipartisan or cross-partisan governmental backing for the concept of a U.S. Great Lakes Waterfront Trail, potentially easing future coordination and funding discussions.
  • Interstate and cross-border collaboration: Encourages continued collaboration among Ohio and neighboring states (and with Canada) to develop a cohesive trail plan and branding.
  • Planning and coordination emphasis: Promotes ongoing coordination among state agencies and regional planning entities to advance the trail’s development and identification of a unified route and identity.
  • Public engagement and awareness: By publicizing support through a formal resolution and media transmission, it may help raise public awareness and build local stakeholder engagement.

Timeline and procedural notes

  • Introduced: March 3, 2026
  • Referred to committee: March 4, 2026
  • As a concurrent resolution, it expresses the General Assembly’s support and does not create new law or funding by itself. Any substantive implementation would depend on subsequent legislative actions, funding decisions, and intergovernmental coordination.

Summary takeaway

SCR 17 is a formal expression of Ohio’s legislative support for the development of a cross-border, multi-state U.S. Great Lakes Waterfront Trail. It underscores health, economic, and recreational benefits, aligns Ohio’s existing shoreline planning with regional goals, and calls for continued intergovernmental coordination to foster a shared regional trail identity.

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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