[IndianaTrails] [Fort Wayne] City paves way to trail advances

[Robert J. Matter]

http://www.fortwayne.com/mld/fortwayne/news/local/16809578.htm

Posted on Thu, Mar. 01, 2007

City paves way to trail advances
Board commits to 3 projects

By Benjamin Lanka
The Journal Gazette

Three trail projects advanced toward construction Wednesday.

The Fort Wayne Board of Public Works approved steps for projects to 
enhance the city’s greenway and trails system.

The board approved hiring DLZ Indiana to design a 1.7-mile section of 
the Towpath Trail starting at Covington Road. The $1.15 million path 
would go around the Fort Wayne Country Club, cross Smith Road and 
connect with existing paths. The local firm will be paid $147,900 for 
the design work.

Dawn Ritchie, city greenways manager, said although the city has not 
raised money yet for construction of the path, she hopes it will be 
built in 2008.

The board also approved hiring GAI Consultants Inc. for design, survey 
and environmental work for a trail to connect Johnny Appleseed Park with 
Shoaff Park. The firm will be paid $178,590. The three-mile extension 
will be partly paid for by a $1 million federal grant. Because the $1.8 
million trail is receiving federal money, Ritchie said it will likely 
take until 2009 to begin construction so all federal requirements are met.

Aboite New Trails Inc., was granted $500,000 from the city by the board. 
The money includes $300,000 from a city parks bond and $200,000 from 
economic development income tax revenues. The local grant coincides with 
a $1million federal grant to help construct trails in Aboite Township.

The board also approved renaming the West Jefferson Trail the Yarnelle 
Trail to honor Edward Yarnelle and his family. Yarnelle was a city park 
board commissioner and donated land to Swinney Park. The trail connects 
the greenway with Rockhill Park.

blanka at jg.net