Family Trail comes together for The Fieldhouse

ZANESVILLE - The Fieldhouse Campus is sporting a new feature as the Zemba Family Trail recently opened to the public.

Mick Amicone, owner of The Fieldhouse, did not expect the track to be a reality for about two years, but donations from area businesses put the project together faster than expected.

Shelly Company supplied more than 100 tons of asphalt for the 8-foot wide, 1/3-mile paved trail, which can be used for walking, jogging and biking.

Zemba Brothers did $50,000 worth of excavation for the trail. The trail was originally going to be gravel path about four to six feet wide and had a projected cost of more than $100,000.

The trail is opened for use during the daytime, but is closed after night due to no lighting.

"We wanted to provide a trail where anyone can enjoy the outdoors, while walking, running or working out," Amicone said. "The trail could have happened with a lot of grants, but having all of this donated was a blessing."

The trail will feature five fitness stops, or protective pavilions, with outdoor fitness equipment free to use for all users of the trail. Rentals for bikes, baby joggers, strollers and other equipment will also be available for adults by September.

The Fieldhouse Foundation, a United Way partner agency, is accepting donations for childrens' bikes, especially bikes with training wheels for participants to use free of charge. Push Scooters, Baby Joggers, Quickie-type Sports Wheelchairs and similar items are also needed.

Lowe's donated material for the pavilions, and several area businesses contributed to the project and the purchase of equipment.

The Fieldhouse also laid new turf for its five batting cages, and netting will also be installed.

Amicone hopes to start working on the splash pad before this winter, and the path should have lights in 2017.

"We're ahead of the game and blessed to have all this happen," he said.

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