[IndianaTrails] Nickel Plate Trail Update and other Regional Connections

[Runckrr at aol.com]

With the Indiana Trails Plan Summit a week away and National Trails Day  soon 
to follow, I send my thanks and heartfelt appreciation to so many of you  who 
are turning dreams into realities all across Indiana.  On Monday and  Wed. 
mornings I lead a Break-Away Bicycle Club ride from Northwest Park in  Kokomo.  
When I found out about the recent paving of the Nickel Plate  in Miami County, 
our ride participants were provided a must, see and  do, ride destination.  
We were not disappointed.  The 3.4 miles of  newly paved trail from just south 
of the Wabash to CR 500S is incredibly  beautiful and well done.  What is even 
more incredible are the amazing  volunteer contributions that have occurred.  
Without slighting any trail  hero's I would like to make special mention of 
Mike Kuepper who heads the  Friends organization along with Harry Denham (wife 
Betty) and Dennis Shirley  (wife Gaynell) who have led the way in physically 
developing the trail in Miami  County.  For five years these hand's on 
advocates have cleared and prepared  the trail surface and corridor, networking with 
Boy Scouts on Eagle Scout  projects, led community corrections and other 
volunteer groups, secured  donations of stone, cement, other materials, and even a 
road grader.   Better use of an RTP grant has never occurred.  I can now see 
how man  reached the moon.  First a vision followed by tireless work, ingenuity, 
 perseverance, and the desire to create a physical tangible legacy of lasting 
 value.  I look forward to working with all of you to grow and network these  
visions throughout Indiana and beyond.
 
Charlie Skoog, Advocacy Liaison

Break-Away Bicycle Club
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