GIRARD — Wanting to make use of the Girard Lakes property, city officials are considering adding a mountain bike trail to the area and plan to visit next month a similar trail at Lake Milton.

Girard resident Tonya Carpenter, who works for the Ohio Department of Natural Resources, told city council at their meeting Tuesday that she has spoken to Mayor Mark Zuppo about the proposed trail. She said the two fastest-growing recreational sports in Ohio are disc golf and mountain bike riding.

Carpenter said there is a mountain bike course at Lake Milton, which she invited council members and city officials, including Parks and Recreation Director Mark Cardiero, to come and see at 5 p.m. June 9 with a rain date of June 16.

She said there is no cost for a mountain bike course unless a portable restroom is installed and a parking area is created.

Carpenter said the Rust Belt Revival Trail Coalition, a volunteer bike riding group that can assist with building and maintaining the course. She said the Girard Lakes property could handle up to 10 miles of bike riding trails.

Carpenter said she will have representatives of the bike riding group also meet with city officials on June 9. She said she also will bring mountain bikes and helmets for officials to use when riding on the trail.

She said while a mountain bike trail will not generate money directly, those who come to the city will pay for gas, stop at restaurants and shop at stores. They also through word of mouth will bring other bike riders to the city to use the mountain bike trail.

“The trail is itself not revenue-generating but the city can benefit in other ways by those coming here and spending money in other ways,” Carpenter said.

She said when there is wet weather that makes the trail muddy it would need to be closed in order to not damage the trail surface. Carpenter said once the bike trail is established, efforts could be made to connect the trail to other nearby bike trails.

Councilman John Moliterno, D-3rd Ward, said the Girard Upper Lake area would be better for the bike trail.

Carpenter said at Lake Milton State Park, there are 10 miles of trails with a short loop and a longer loop. Councilwoman Lily Martuccio, D-at Large, asked if e-bikes and other non-bikes could use the trail.

Carpenter said e-bike riders could use the trail, but with regulations. She said because people are on bikes, it would not be recommended to be used as a walking trail at the same time.

Carpenter said there could be designated times for bike riding and times for walking if officials would want that.

Residents at the meeting expressed concerns over four-wheelers and ATVs on such trails destroying them. Carpenter said that is a concern, and police could help by patrolling the area.

She said she approached Youngstown City Council about having a mountain bike trail there, but officials did not want such a trail near people’s backyards.

Councilman Keith Schubert, D-1st Ward, said this will be an additional recreational opportunity for residents and visitors to the city.