ASHTABULA TOWNSHIP — Rail-trail users from across the lake-to-river corridor gathered Thursday morning to celebrate completion of the 27-mile-Ashtabula County section of the Western Reserve Greenway Trail.

Phase III of the trail was wrapped up last fall, with the opening of the tunnel under Route 84 and paving of several miles of trail in southern Ashtabula County. Phase I was completed in 2002, Phase II two years later.

Ashtabula County Metroparks board member Charlie Kohli said he first began investigating the trail concept for Ashtabula County 20 years ago and he never imagined it would be such a long process. Kohli, who chairs the Friends of the WRGT, said it required the efforts of many volunteers working with government agencies to build the trail, which follows an abandoned rail line from Ashtabula to Warren.

Friends co-chair Ada Callahan-Sutter singled out U.S. Rep. Steven LaTourette, R-Bainbridge, for his help in securing a half-million dollars in federal money to build the trail, particularly the last phase, which required an earmark for the tunnel.

“I want to say a word for the politicians,” Callahan-Sutter said. “Without them, you can do nothing.”

LaTourette said that while “earmark” has a negative connotation with taxpayers, that method of funding brings enhancement dollars back to the community. The funds for the trail came from the six-year federal Highway bill, a percentage of which is set aside for enhancement projects that go beyond steel bridges and asphalt roads. The next bill under consideration will be for $450 billion over six years.

“Once we have established that pie, we have said we’re going to take 5 to 10 percent of that pie … and make sure that we do use it for projects like these,” LaTourette said. “Some people are embarrassed by earmarks. I send out press releases when we are able to help local communities because, if it wasn’t for the enhancements, the earmarks — the metroparks, the counties, the state wouldn’t necessarily have the resources to get a project like this done.”

Members of the North Shore Trail group are eager to get their hands on the enhancement money in that next bill. Kevin Grippi, a volunteer with the group, outlined the group’s ambitious plans to connect the WRGT with Lake Erie. Highlights of the path would include a 110-foot-long covered bridge over Woodman Avenue, resurfacing of several city streets, a fake covered bridge over Center Street, a steel-girder covered bridge overpass about 600 feet long and trail-head hub on Lake Avenue, just north of the iron bridge. The trail eventually would connect the trail to the Gulf and Smolen-Gulf covered bridge. The cost of the project, if built today, would be $6.2 million; $7.7 million if built in 2011.

“It’s an exciting project, and I don’t think we can afford not to do it,” Grippi said.

Eric Obert, manager of trail development for the Rails to Trails Conservancy, said the county already has one of the best trails in Ohio, and taking it to the lake would further elevate its status.

“Once this trail connects to Lake Erie … this is really going to be world-renowned,” he said.

Obert also commended the exemplary volunteer bike patrol and maintenance groups that keep the trail safe and maintained on a shoestring budget.

“You guys are used as examples. You are setting a trend we use all over the state,” he said.

The Civic Development Corp. provided local match money for the state and federal grants, and the Metroparks Board recognized CDC’s vital role in making the project a reality. Stuart Cordell, past CDC president, said it is one of the group’s most successful projects.

The board also recognized Koski Construction, which did much of the construction work.

“This trail is just surprising in terms of how well it has been received,” Don Koski told the crowd. “I get more comments from people around the county from this trail than from anything else we do.”

Grippi described the trail as an “economic engine” that will help bring the county “closer to prosperity.”

LaTourette said it also can figure into Barack Obama’s health care initiatives, which include a strong emphasis on preventive health.

“I expect everybody here in the audience with a beer gut like mine, ought to be out here riding on this bike trail to make sure they don’t end up in the hospital,” LaTourette said.