04/15/2026
This photo feels like the perfect ending…standing together at sunset after a decade of building something we all believed in.🧡
After much reflection, the board has made the decision to permanently dissolve Preble Trails.
This is bittersweet for me to share.
I founded Preble Trails as a cycling and bike path advocacy group in 2015 at the prompting of Steve Simmons, former Preble County Engineer— and it was a passionate grassroots effort with a simple mission:
“Building pathways to safely connect people and communities.”
Over the past decade, that vision turned into something so much bigger than I ever could have imagined!
We created a group of dedicated, passionate people who gave their time, energy, and hearts to this work.
Together, we:
Distributed over 1,200 bike helmets with fun programming to elementary students in Preble County
Secured $200,000 in funding for Safe Routes to School with the City of Eaton & Eaton City Schools
Installed bike racks throughout our community - the pool, Ft. St. Clair, Preble County Courthouse & more
Participated in regional planning through MVRPC (Miami Valley Regional Planning Commission)
Hosted as Town Coordinator for GOBA (Great Ohio Bicycling Adventure)
Helped move forward a bike path study with a $50,000 grant from the Preble County Commissioners
And so much more…
But more than the projects, it was the people - the camaraderie, the shared belief, and the countless volunteer hours - that made Preble Trails what it was.
I want to extend a heartfelt thank you to all of our past and present board members:
Dan Schmidt, Anna Fomin, Joe Deluca, Erin Abney, Gary Hawkins, Don Starr, Jim Shank, Keith Schmidt, Holly Steele, Mike Sanders, Karla McMahan, Cathy Maynard, and Janet Davis.
And a big thank you to Dan Schmidt who led the group with dedication and commitment.
Each of you played a role in bringing this vision to life.
And a deep thank you to our incredible community partners who supported us along the way, including: The Preble County Youth Foundation, the YMCA (for hosting so many of our meetings), the Preble County Engineer’s Office, Preble County Commissioners, ODOT, the City of Eaton, and so many others who believed in this work in partnership and with generous grants.
This was not an easy decision—but it is the right one for this season.
I truly believe the work we started mattered. And I still hold hope that one day, someone will pick up the baton and continue moving toward the connected bike paths we all envisioned for our community.
For now… I’m choosing to feel proud.
Proud of what we built.
Proud of the impact we made.
Proud of our small but mighty group.
So here’s to Preble Trails—
and to a decade of showing what’s possible when people come together for something bigger than themselves. 💛
