DNR marks completion of two Indiana trail projects
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The Indiana Department of Natural Resources has announced the completion of two more trails under the state’s $180 million Next Level Trails initiative.
The Erie Rail Trail Extension in Huntington, about 30 miles southwest of Fort Wayne, and the MyPath Riverfront Trail in Owen County, about 17 miles northwest of Bloomington, are now open.
“Trails are important for both the well-being of Hoosiers and our communities,” DNR Director Dan Bortner said in a news release. “Next Level Trails has taken that philosophy literally to the next level, making connections with more than 100 new trail miles throughout the state.”
The 0.74-mile asphalt multi-use Erie Rail Trail was built by the city of Huntington with help from a $784,300 Next Level Trails grant, the DNR said. The project extends the existing Erie Rail Trail with a 10-foot-wide shared-use path along Gragg Street, Stults Road and County Road 500 North and connects to Huntington University, Parkview Huntington Hospital, the YMCA, Crestview Middle School, and Heritage of Huntington Senior Living Center.
Partners for the project include the Huntington Area Recreational Trails Association and Huntington Healing Partners.
The 0.88-mile asphalt multi-use MyPath Riverfront Trail was built by the Owen County Community Foundation with help from a $639,483 trail grant, the DNR said. The project improves 0.88 miles of the previously natural-surface trail along the White River, connecting Pottersville Road to River Road south of Spencer.
The trail links users to a lowlands reforestation project and pollinator garden, and a new trailhead is now on the river’s west fork featuring an 80-foot bridge over Elliston Creek.
“The community is excited to enjoy the first multi-use trail in the county,” Janet Rummel, the foundation’s president and CEO, said. “We are happy for the partnerships that have built this new, beautiful trail along the White River.”
The $180 million Next Level Trails initiative, announced by Gov. Eric Holcomb in 2018, is the largest infusion of trails funding in state history, the DNR said. Thirty-six of the 89 NLT projects are now complete, totaling more than 102 miles of trail.