WARREN — City council on Wednesday greenlit a state-funded trail project that will link several parks along the Mahoning River.

The measure will aim to enhance pedestrian access and recreational opportunities without dipping into local taxpayer dollars, city officials said. Officials described the interconnected trails and bridges as a step toward unifying Warren’s major parks with downtown.

City council passed an emergency ordinance Wednesday authorizing the mayor and public service director to enter contracts for the Warren Trail Improvements Project, which includes building a sidewalk trail from the Northwest Bridge to Burbank Park along Tod Avenue. The measure also covers upgrades to railings at Perkins Park’s riverwalk and the addition of scenic overlooks along the water trail.

Funding for the initiative comes from a 2025 grant secured through the Eastgate Regional Council of Governments, part of the Appalachian Community Grant (ACG) allocation from the state.

Safety Service Director Eddie Colbert told council members the project builds on prior efforts, including a pedestrian bridge connecting Perkins Park to the downtown amphitheater peninsula, also fully covered by ACG funds, and the reconstruction of the Packard Park bridge, with about $400,000 earmarked for the city’s local share.

“This connects Packard Park to Bullhead Park to Burbank Park,” Colbert said, also stating that the trail will run behind Burbank along the river and link to Tod Avenue.

Councilwoman Helen Rucker, D-at Large, called the development a win for the community, praising its potential to beautify the city and draw visitors.

“It attracts people to walk over that bridge, ride your bike or do wildlife studies for school students,” she said during the regular meeting.

Rucker credited former mayor and now Councilman Michael O’Brien and the Franklin administrations for perseverance on the matter. Rucker added, “This administration got it done, and it’s not costing our citizens any money.”

Mayor Doug Franklin echoed the sentiment as he discussed the project’s roots in a 2011 Kent State University urban design project that envisioned riverfront revitalization. “It planted seeds that are now blossoming some 15 years later,” he said. “When you have good ideas and you stick to them, you can make things happen.”

Franklin thanked Engineering Director Paul Makosky for securing state funding across multiple projects and acknowledged contributions from the Eastgate Council, Ohio Department of Development and past councils that authorized initial property acquisitions on the peninsula.