After 6 years of legal battles, Mill Creek MetroParks has decided to end the fight with property owners in Green Township to extend the bike trail.

In a release provided to 21 News, the park district stated, "...the Board has decided to accept the local court's decision and will not appeal. MetroParks administration will begin to facilitate the return of over $3.4 million in previously awarded funds for the construction of Phase III of the MetroParks Bikeway."

The plan, which was introduced years prior, was to use eminent domain for the continuation of the 11-mile bike trail south from Western Reserve Road into Washingtonville.

The response from the park district also stated, 'Mill Creek MetroParks exists to serve the public through the implementation of our mission, and we're incredibly proud of the important and fundamental role we play in the lives of Valley residents. While we don't enjoy when there are disagreements, we understand that when aiming high in providing the finest public parks for our community, challenges are often encountered. We're incredibly proud of the award winning MetroParks Bikeway system that we've built up to this point.'

In November, the Mahoning County Common Pleas Court ruled in favor of the seven property owners fighting the attempted use of the eminent domain to extend the bike trail , known as Phase III.

Judge Anthony D'Apolito ruled that the park district did not meet the requirements to appropriate the land from the landowners.