The Olentangy Trail will shut down in two segments in October for pavement repairs, including a stretch near Lane Avenue that Upper Arlington cyclists and joggers use regularly.
The City of Columbus plans to close about half a mile of the 14-mile trail near the Wilma H. Schiermeier Olentangy River Wetland Research Park from Monday, Oct. 12, through Oct. 16, Columbus Underground first reported. That segment runs from just north of Dodridge Street to just south of the bridge crossing the Olentangy River near Olentangy Village.
A second closure follows Oct. 26-30 near Tuttle Park, between Lane Avenue and the Tuttle Park Community Center. Both sets of dates may shift due to weather.
No detours will be posted. The city said the closures are too short and accessible alternative routes for cyclists and pedestrians too limited to warrant signed detour maps.
Why the work is happening
The repairs are part of the city's Greenways Improvement Project, funded by a $435,931.86 federal grant from the Ohio Department of Transportation's (ODOT) Transportation Alternatives Program (TAP), awarded in October 2025. Columbus is covering a 20 percent local match. The work includes pavement repair, replacement of pavement markings and limited vegetation removal to improve visibility and safety, according to the Columbus Recreation and Parks Department's project page.
The department said portions of the trail covered by the project are more than 20 years old and nearing the end of their useful life.
More closures coming in spring
The Greenways Improvement Project covers five trail sections total. After the two October closures, Columbus plans to tackle a 0.8-mile stretch from Third Avenue to Goodale Street and a section near Antrim Park next spring. A portion of the Scioto Trail near its downtown connection with the Olentangy Trail is also scheduled for spring repairs. Specific spring dates have not been announced.
The Columbus Recreation and Parks Department's facilities alerts page will carry the most current closure information. Central Ohio Greenways also tracks trail closures on Instagram and Facebook.
