COLUMBIA TOWNSHIP, Ohio — Great Parks of Hamilton County, Columbia Township and Fifty West Brewing Company are collaborating to extend the Little Miami Scenic Trail.

Todd Palmeter, CEO of Great Parks of Hamilton County, announced the collaborative plan to complete phase one of an initiative to extend the Little Miami Scenic Trail into neighboring Mariemont.

“The public and private sectors of Columbia Township, Great Parks, and Fifty West working together to create greater access to shared-use trails and outdoor experiences for the residents of Hamilton County is exemplary and a model we plan to replicate on future projects,” Palmeter stated in a joint press release.

The jointly funded, shared-use trail will extend from Newtown Road to Walton Creek and include direct access to Fifty West’s new burger and beer garden concept along Wooster Pike.

“We’ve worked in conjunction with Great Parks and Columbia Township for almost ten years on this trail expansion,” said Fifty West Founder and Managing Partner Bobby Slattery. “This trail is an asset to Greater Cincinnati. We will continue to invest in infrastructure and programming that make our 'back door' along the path our 'front door,' as we race towards completion.”

Preliminary construction on the trail extension began earlier this month with an anticipated Grand Opening in early May.

The existing trail bypasses Mariemont near Newtown Road, according to the release. The new trail will continue west before coming to a terminus at the Walton Creek Bridge.

Great Parks and Columbia Township are currently reviewing proposals and securing funding to further develop the trail to the Mariemont Public Library.

Fifty West's new burger bar and beer garden will feature an entrance from the Little Miami Scenic Trail extension that includes bike parking, an outdoor dining space, a futsal court, green space for active programming and a sand play area for kids.

The fast-casual restaurant concept's menu will include Americana-style fare such as milkshakes, burgers, hot dogs and sandwiches inspired by the various states connected to Route 50 throughout America. It also will include 16 beer taps along with house-brewed root beer and sodas for children.

“Our goal with the space is to create an inclusive outdoor area that connects active people of all ages to the trail,” Slattery said.

Columbia Township is also working with the Ohio Department of Transportation to engineer and install a new midblock pedestrian path that will cross Wooster Pike to connect Fifty West Brewpub to the Little Miami Scenic Trail and the new facility.