[IndianaTrails] Cardinal Greenway to expand west to Sweetser

[Robert J. Matter]

http://www.chronicle-tribune.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20071017/NEWS01/710170310/1002

Cardinal Greenway to expand west to Sweetser
All but fraction of funds in hand
BY MARIBETH HOLTZ
mholtz at marion.gannett.com

The Cardinal Greenway might soon connect Marion and Sweetser.

Plans announced Tuesday call for the trail to expand three miles, 
connecting the Miller Avenue trail head to the Sweetser Switch Trail.

John Selby, local chairman of the Grant County Cardinal Greenway 
steering committee of volunteers, told county commissioners of the 
project during their regular meeting.

"Our hope is they join us ... in this vision, (and) see the importance 
for trails in the area," Selby said after the meeting.

Eventually, the trail could expand to Converse. The town of Converse is 
working toward making the "Converse Junction," which would be a trail 
that could connect with the others.

Selby said the three-mile expansion would cost roughly $330,000. The 
nonprofit Cardinal Greenway Inc. has all but about $23,000, and land has 
already been obtained under an agreement.

He said work could begin in spring 2008 on phase one, which would expand 
the first mile of the project from the Miller Avenue trail head west.

Budget numbers are very optimistic now, he said, as the trail may end up 
costing more as work begins.

Selby was joined at the commissioners meeting by three others involved 
with trails: Lenette Freeman, Cardinal Greenway director, Bob King, 
former president of the Sweetser Switch Trail, and Joe Lenon, Converse 
council member.

King said the Sweetser trail has been in place 10 years and has brought 
in activities and stimulated economic development for his community.

"We're kind of in the middle of nowhere, and we'd like to connect to 
Marion, connect to Converse," King said.

Lenon said grants have been obtained for the Converse trail. A route has 
been established, and the town plans to put a primitive campground near 
it. Lenon hopes the Converse trail will one day connect to the Sweetser 
trail.

Freeman said the Cardinal Greenway extends 60 miles. The trail ends in 
Richmond and goes through Muncie, but there are unfinished gaps in the 
converted former railroad bed.

"Most people that ride the trail will tell you Grant County is the most 
beautiful part of the trail," she said.

Grant County also has more vandalism than the rest of the trail, she 
said. The Grant County portion of the trail incurs $10,000 a year in 
annual maintenance costs, she said.

Freeman listed the benefits of trails, ranging from economic growth to 
health benefits to tourism.

What commissioners can do now, she said, is help out financially or make 
"in-kind" contributions of manpower or supplies.

Commissioners were receptive to the project. They said it's possible 
that money or grants for the highway department could go toward the project.

"To me, it would be a huge quality-of-life issue for the county if we 
can get this done," Commissioner David Glickfield Jr. said.

Commissioner Jeremy Diller said he would like to see trails extended in 
the Upland area, as Taylor University students are often exercising 
along county roads.

Diller said he's excited about any kind of expansion to the Cardinal 
Greenway.

Commissioner Mark Bardsley said he's pleased the group is going forward 
with its plans.

"We're going to look at whatever we can do in-kind and look to see if 
our highway money can be designated to that area," Bardsley said.

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