(a) Prohibitions. No person shall do any of the following upon the Holmes County Trail:
(1) Operate any type of motorized vehicle or equipment except:
A. Emergency vehicles,
B. Maintenance vehicles,
C. Electric bicycles (eBikes) designated by the manufacturer as Class 1 (maximum speed 20 MPH; peddle-assist only; motor assists up to maximum speed), Class 2 (maximum speed 20 MPH; peddle-assist or throttle; motor assists up to maximum speed).
D. Electric wheelchairs by those with a documented disability.
(2) Be present on the Trail other than during the open hours of 5:00 a.m. - 10:00 p.m., unless the Trail director has issued a special-use permit as indicated in subsection (b) below.
(3) Leave, drop, or deposit waste material on the Trail or adjacent property.
(4) Damage, deface or destroy public or private property.
(5) Possess or consume alcoholic beverages, illegal drugs, or other hallucinogenic substances.
(6) Possess or use of any fireworks, firearm, BB pellet, paintball, or similar air-powered weapon, bow or crossbow on the Trail property, other than legal, CCW permit holders.
(7) Hunt, trap, injure, kill, or unnecessarily disturb any bird, reptile or other animal.
(8) Leave the Trail to trespass onto other public or private properties.
(9) Use unauthorized access points to enter and leave the Trail.
(10) Release any domestic, wild, or exotic animal on or along the Trail.
(11) Camp, light or maintain a fire on or along the Trail.
(12) Allow a dog on the Trail unless on a leach no longer than six (6) feet.
(13) Fail to obey all traffic control devices along the Trail.
(14) Post or display any advertising or other signs or displays along the Trail without permission of the Holmes County Park District or the Holmes County Rails-to-Trails Coalition.
(15) Fail to obey all posted speed limits keeping in mind the maximum speed is twenty (20) MPH and lower speed zones may be established in high traffic areas.
(b) Trail Hours. The Holmes County Trail is open from 5:00 a.m. - 10:00 p.m. Special-use permits may be obtained for group night rides or special events from the Trail Director. These events must be approved and planned in advance for notification of local law enforcement agencies.
(c) Facilities.
(1) The Millersburg Depot/Hipp Station is located in Millersburg off of Clinton and Grant Street adjacent to the Holmes County Trail. The Depot serves as a trail and railroad information center and provides restroom facilities throughout the year. Picnic areas are located at the Millersburg Depot/Hipp Station and at the end of the Trail in Killbuck and Glenmont. A horse watering trough is located on the west side of the Trail adjacent to the Millersburg Depot/Hipp Station.
(2) Trail restrooms are available at the trailhead at Millersburg Depot, Millersburg. Port-a-jons are available in the parking lot south of Holmesville off of SR 83, the parking lot of the Millersburg Depot, and at the end of the Trail in Killbuck.
(d) Safety on the Trail. It is every Trail user's responsibility and right to ensure their own safety and expect safe practice from other Trail users. Exercise caution at all times, follow guidelines and rules of the Trail.
(e) Trail Etiquette.
(1) Trail etiquette can be described as the polite way to use the Trail. It outlines guidelines for the many users that ride, walk, hike, bike, or roller blade the Trail. Trail etiquette should be a major part of any Trail user's experience.
(2) Trail use is a privilege that cannot be abused or disrespected, so making Trail etiquette a priority allows everyone to enjoy the outdoors and have a good time while being safe and courteous. When traveling the Holmes County Trail, you may encounter many different forms of Trail use, such as hikers, bikers, horseback riders, roller bladers and buggy traffic, etc. Therefore, the user must adjust to different regulations (who passes first, who slows down, who gets the right of way).
(3) If Trail users conduct themselves in an appropriate manner, respect the environment and the other users, the Trail experience will only get better. Keep safety and etiquette in mind when you are using the Trail.
(f) Multi-use Etiquette and Safety.
Consideration and polite behavior are essential in order to ensure the enjoyment of all Trail users and protection of the park resources.
Do not ride horses, drive buggies, or bicycles in a manner that is likely to cause alarm or injury to another person or animal.
Cyclists should pass other Trail users slowly and considerately.
Pedestrians and cyclists should always yield to buggies and horses and make their presence known well in advance.
Never attempt to "hide" from approaching horses, since this may cause the horses to be shy.
Equestrians and Buggies must stay on the chip and seal Trail other than in designated areas where shared use is necessary.
When passing horses from behind, hikers and bikers should make the rider aware of their presence and then pass in front.
Never pass too close to a horse; try to keep a six-foot buffer zone.
If the horse's ears are flattened all the way back, the horse is irritated and may kick.
Loud radios are prohibited on the Trail, although earphone-type radios are permitted.
Be mindful of the changes in the types of users throughout the Trail.
Be alert of road crossings and steep Trail shoulders may occur and are not marked.
Please be sure to stop at all intersections.
Alcoholic beverages and drugs are prohibited on the Trail at all times.
(g) Equestrians/Buggies.
Buggy and Equestrian chip and seal Trail users should stay in the designated horse lanes of the Trail.
Horses must be kept on the chip and seal Trail and off asphalt paved portions of the Trail at all times other than in designated areas where shared use will be necessary, and at a safe setback from the asphalt paved Trail when encountering other Trail users. If two buggies/horses meet traveling in opposite directions, the asphalt paved section of the Trail may be used briefly for them to pass. Please pass using road rules.
Horse owners and riders are responsible for restoring area property and landscape damage caused by their horses, natural wear and tear in the treadway excepted.
Communicate - let other Trail users know how to pass your horse safely.
Speed limit twenty (20) MPH; no galloping (cantering/loping are permitted).
Horses must be tied a safe distance from other Trail users.
Leading dogs from horseback or buggies is not permitted.
(h) Bikers and Inline Skaters.
Bike and pedestrian asphalt Trail users should stay on the non-horse designated side of the Trail and pass using road rules on the asphalt Trail.
Helmets and safety equipment are recommended.
Bicycles must be ridden at safe speeds, and in any case not greater than twenty (20) MPH.
When passing other Trail users a bicyclist should slow down, call out or ring bell when passing or say, "Passing to your left or right".
Leading dogs from bikes is not permitted.
(i) Pets.
Only dogs and horses are permitted on the Trail.
Because dogs have been known to run in front of a cyclist while on an extended leash, we ask the owners to keep them on a minimum six (6)-foot leash at all times. To prevent accidents, they should never be left unattended.
Extreme care should be taken to avoid conflicts between dogs and horses.
(j) Leave No Trace.
Littering along the Trail is prohibited.
If you pack it in, pack it out.
Do not break off tree limbs or pick or damage plants growing along the Trail.
Please stay on the Trail. Do not leave the Trail system and travel cross-country, or attempt "shortcuts."
Trail closures may at times be necessary due to maintenance.
No Trail activity is permitted on closed sections of the Trail. The Trail is closed from Killbuck to Glenmont.
(k) Hunting and Trapping. Hunting and trapping are prohibited on the Trail corridor.
(l) Camping. Camping, lighting, or maintaining fires is prohibited along the Trail corridor.
(m) Revocation of privileges. The Holmes County Park District reserves the right to bar those not following these prohibitions, rules, and regulations from using the Trail.
(Ord. 2023-102. Passed 6-12-23.)