[IndianaTrails] Greenways Foundation luncheon: Gov. Daniels announcements

[Kevin Heber]

Governor Daniels spoke passionately of trails for perhaps 30 minutes during
his speech today at the Greenways Foundation's luncheon.  He sounded as much
like a seasoned trails advocate as any of us, and he made two big
announcements, detailed below.  
 
Regarding the former Penn Central properties mentioned below, distributed
around the state, the Greenways Foundation, with help from DNR, will be
working to facilitate getting these into actual trail projects.  We'll keep
the trail groups apprised.  It was exactly 6 years ago that I first gazed in
astonishment at the residual Penn Central property map and dreamed of the
possibilities.  Today the dream got a lot closer to reality.
 
We're making real progress on the state plan. Congratulations to Ron Carter
(GF Exec. Director) and all who helped make this a hugely successful event!

 
Kevin Heber
Greenways Foundation
Communications Chair
kevin at indianatrails.org
317-410-0755
317-848-7855 (GF office, R.Carter)
 
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http://www.indystar.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20071204/LOCAL/71204049
 
A purchase of more than 150 miles of abandoned rail line will nearly double
Indiana's network of rail-trail corridors in the state, Gov. Mitch Daniels
<http://www.indystar.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20071204/LOCAL/71204049#
>  announced today.
 
Our goal is to have a trail within 15 minutes of every Hoosier within 10
years," Daniels said. "Today we have made a quantum leap forward that puts
Indiana
<http://www.indystar.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20071204/LOCAL/71204049#
>  several steps closer to achieving this objective." 
  _____  

 <http://www.in.gov/gov/files/Press/120407NewRailTrailSegments.pdf> Click
here for a map of the new trail segments. 
  _____  

A state news release said the Department of Natural Resources
<http://www.indystar.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20071204/LOCAL/71204049#
>  reached an agreement in principle with owners of the former Penn Central
Rail Line to buy the abandoned railroad corridors. The announcement did not
say how much that cost or when the sale might conclude. A phone call to the
governor's office was not immediately returned.

The state has 173 miles of rail-trails. The 150 miles of new land, to be
purchased through Daniels' Hoosiers on the Move trails initiative, is in 39
counties.

"The department's plan is to give the land to local governments and
not-for-profit groups for future trail expansions. Henry County already has
plans to begin developing a trail in their area," the news release said.

Other counties that will get new rail-trail segments are: Adams, Allen,
Bartholomew, Boone, Cass, Clay, Clinton, DeKalb, Decatur, Delaware, Fulton,
Grant, Greene, Hancock, Howard, Jay, Jennings, Johnson, Knox, LaGrange,
Madison, Marshall, Miami, Montgomery, Morgan, Noble, Owen, Parke, Pike,
Randolph, Rush, Shelby, St. Joseph, Tipton, Vigo Wabash, Wayne and Whitley. 

Separately, Daniels said that DNR has received $1.25 million from the Lilly
Endowment for additional construction on five multi-use trails.

"Their gift leverages nearly $5 million in federal transportation
enhancement funds for trail development," the news release said.

The sites receiving funding are: 

. Nickel Plate Trail in Howard, Miami and Fulton counties, completing the
final four miles of the southern half of the trail. 

. White River Greenway in Muncie, helping to finish the six-mile greenway
and convert a brownfield site into public green space for the trailhead. 

. Cardinal Greenway, which winds through five eastern Indiana counties, to
help build 4.5 miles of the trail in Wayne County.

. Monon Trail, to construct a one-mile extension within the city of
Westfield.

. Pumpkinvine Trail, completing a 2.3-mile section to connect Middlebury to
the Elkhart/LaGrange County line.
 
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