Marian Vance (left), executive director of Scenic Ohio, and Jim Barlow, of the Great Ohio Bicycle Adventure, at the start of a week-long bicycle trek along a historic byway through the Land of the Cross-Tipped Churches in Mercer County.

Automobile touring is a popular recreation and more driving destinations in Ohio soon will become scenic routes, thanks to the work of an organization recently funded by the Ohio Arts Council.

Scenic Ohio, a not-for-profit organization formerly known as the Ohio Roadside Council, received a grant from the Ohio Arts Council’s Regional Heritage Program that will be used to promote Scenic Byways in southeastern Ohio. Those special roadways include Holmes County Scenic Byway; Tappan-Moravian Trail in Harrison County; Ohio River Route, a national scenic byway that runs from Pennsylvania to Indiana, mostly along U.S. Route 52; and the Welsh Scenic Byway through Rio Grande.

“Our organization is the first devoted to working with Ohio’s Department of Transportation to preserve and enhance the scenic quality of Ohio’s roadways and transportation corridors,” said Marian Vance, Scenic Ohio executive director. “Although Ohioans cherish natural beauty, public officials seem insensitive to public opinion and the civic, environmental and economic benefits of protecting and improving Ohio’s visual future.”

One of Scenic Ohio’s many objectives is to encourage community groups to apply to the Department of Transportation for Scenic Byway designation. “It takes local people who want to protect or bring attention to their byways,” Vance said. “It is very doable.”

If a roadway meets certain criteria, including a length of at least 5 miles and intrinsic historic, scenic or recreational value, it is eligible for consideration. If the application is accepted, a corridor management plan is submitted, the designation is granted and the project becomes eligible for federal dollars earmarked for scenic byways.

With sponsorship from the national organization Scenic America, Scenic Ohio hosted a workshop in October for potential byway sponsors. Planning commissioners, garden club volunteers, historical societies and corporate representatives attended. A second workshop that will feature in-depth discussions of scenic byway funding sources, management and promotions is planned for November 17 in Columbus.

For more information about the byways workshop or other Scenic Ohio initiatives call 614/228-3274 or write Scenic Ohio, 85 East Gay Street, Suite 702, Columbus, Ohio 43215.