Governor celebrates 100th mile of new trails
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Gov. Eric Holcomb traveled to Merrillville on Tuesday to celebrate the newly completed C&O Trail, which marks the 100th mile of new trails built under the governor’s Next Level Trails program.
The latest 2.82-mile trail, guided by the town of Merrillville and Lake County Parks, was funded by two state grants, totaling over $2.2 million.
“One hundred miles is more than just a milestone achievement for Indiana,” Holcomb said in a news release. “The completion of this trail section in Lake County represents the incredible collaboration we’ve seen across the state as Hoosiers have come together with the support of our Next Level Trails program to make more connections. This momentum can be felt in every corner of Indiana, and it will continue as more Hoosiers hit the trails this year.”
Lake County Parks CEO Jim Basala said the public has an open invitation to use the new trail extension.
“We want everyone to have an opportunity to get out and explore the amazing natural spaces available to them in Lake County, and we’re excited that the extension of the C&O Trail makes that possible for even more people,” Basala said.
The governor’s office said the Next Level Connections trails investment is the largest disbursement of trail funding in the state’s history. Nearly 90 projects have been supported with $180 million in funds, with 34 already being completed.
The next round of trail funding announced in December will support 14 projects with $31.2 million.