[IndianaTrails] Task force forms to aid Towpath Trail creation

Tue May 23 11:06:15 PDT 2006

I would echo Lori K on this one (though I'm usually with you, Ray, due to historical listing capabilities, impact & cost).  This Tow Path connection will be a major transportation trail with 2-way traffic AND will serve as the "Portage" path from the Maumee River Corridor to the Wabash River Heritage Corridor - a path that has been on the Indiana Legislature's radar since 1991 and will qualify it for possible national attention & use as a link to the National trail currently on the map in Northwest Ohio - a future national trail route, possibly  all the way to the Mississippi.  This promises too much use, is too long awaited & too long planned for a past design (no matter how preferred for historical listing - its still a re-creation no matter how closely it tracks path & detail; it certainly will not be on the exact path of the portage anyway).  Let's not make it a "local" by design from the get-go.
Ron James, Executive Director
Wabash River Heritage Corridor Commission
102 North  Third Street, Suite 302
Lafayette IN 47901
765-427-1505
________________________________

From: list-bounces at indianatrails.org on behalf of Lori Keys
Sent: Tue 5/23/2006 12:15 PM
To: Irvin, Ray; 'Robert J. Matter'; 'Indiana Trails'
Subject: Re: [IndianaTrails] Task force forms to aid Towpath Trail creation
Ray,
Thanks so much for your support of our Towpath Trail in NE Indiana. While we
will continually recognize the great significance of this historical
corridor, this particular towpath represents a special case in terms of
trail width and surface.

This 7-mile link serves as the only connector between the 50-mile Aboite
Trails system (interconnected, destination-based trails on the SW side of
Ft. Wayne that will give over 30,000 residents direct bike and ped access)
and the 26-mile Rivergreenway, a linear trail along Ft Wayne's 3 rivers that
leads users through downtown and north and east to surrounding communities.
We foresee the Towpath Trail as a commuter route and a highly used
recreational and alternative transportation corridor. The Wabash & Erie
Canal along this route was filled in, and this is also the old interurban
line.

Therefore we are looking at a 12-foot width along most of the corridor, with
a narrower width for boardwalks and as needed. We are comparing trail
surfaces but are still considering asphalt, due again to the heavy use and
desirability of bicycle travel we anticipate along this link.

We in NE Indiana can't wait to lead trail tours along this great historic
and wildlife corridor within 2 years! Thanks again for your support,
Lori

Lori Keys
Executive Director, Aboite New Trails, Inc.
www.aboitenewtrails.org

"Do not follow where the path may lead; go instead where there is no path
and leave a trail."   --Anonymous

-----Original Message-----
From: list-bounces at indianatrails.org [mailto:list-bounces at indianatrails.org]
On Behalf Of Irvin, Ray
Sent: Tuesday, May 23, 2006 9:35 AM
To: Robert J. Matter; Indiana Trails
Subject: Re: [IndianaTrails] Task force forms to aid Towpath Trail creation

 I will look forward to your Tow Path Trail project moving forward. Keep
in mind that the original Tow Paths were dirt or fine stone. If you go
with the stone I would recommend the Dusty 12's like the central canal
tow path in Indpls. That product has worked very well, and you can go
with a narrower tread width because the users go slower, runners prefer
it over asphalt and the look is more like the original tow path 8' to
10' should be more that enough. 10' to 12 ' is a good size for paved
trails. Get with Lori Keys about the specs and I will help where I can.
Best Wishes and Good Luck with your new trail project. Ray at 317-232-3936

-----Original Message-----
From: list-bounces at indianatrails.org
[mailto:list-bounces at indianatrails.org] On Behalf Of Robert J. Matter
Sent: Tuesday, May 23, 2006 9:16 AM
To: Indiana Trails
Subject: [IndianaTrails] Task force forms to aid Towpath Trail creation

http://www.fortwayne.com/mld/fortwayne/news/local/14644131.htm

Posted on Tue, May. 23, 2006

Task force forms to aid Towpath Trail creation

By Michael Zennie
The Journal Gazette

Seven local trail leaders have formed the Towpath Trail Task Force to
coordinate the final planning stages of the seven-mile pedestrian and
bicycle pathway.

The task force, which will meet on a monthly basis, aims to ensure
members of the various groups involved with the Towpath are on the same
page, Fort Wayne City Greenways Manager Dawn Ritchie said.

The Towpath, which officials estimate will cost $2.1 million, will run
southwest from Rockhill Park, at Catalpa Street and West Jefferson
Boulevard, to Lutheran Hospital, 7950 W. Jefferson Blvd. The trail will
ultimately connect the New Haven and Fort Wayne Greenway system with
Aboite Township's Aboite New Trails system, Ritchie said.

The group has already helped open communication among the various
players in the pathway construction, task force and city Greenway
Consortium member, Roger Goodland said.

For example, Greenway officials wanted to make the Towpath 10 feet wide,

while Aboite New Trails officials wanted to make their pathway 12 feet
wide, Goodland said. The task force allowed the officials to meet and
come to a consensus.

The largest project on the task force's plate is the review and approval

of the designs for the trail, Ritchie said.

The Towpath project has been in the works for about two years. The trail

will follow the Wabash and Erie Canal path and is named for the mules
that used to tow boats through the channel.

Trail planners hope to have the 6.8-mile pathway completed by late 2007,

though they would like to have the first mile, between Smith Road and
Engle Road, completed this year, Goodland said.

mzennie at jg.net

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