Dave Bennett and John Bawcum from the Safe Routes to School organization told the Winamac Town Board this week that Safe Routes and the town received a $250,000 grant.
The money will be used to pave the pathway to the depot in Winamac, possibly to State Road 14 West. Bennett shared that he has been in contact with a company to do the paving. An environmental study will also need to be done.
Bennett mentioned that if there is a way for the town to offer a reimbursement program for sidewalk replacement to homeowners, it could help cut costs for the project. Market Street sidewalks are the focus as that will be the main artery of the route.
Bennett will research what will be allowable with the grant and report back to the board at their December meeting.
The Safe Routes to School will run from the depot in Winamac and France Park in Cass County.
Most of the trial is paved, but Friends of the Panhandle Pathway are raising funds to finish paving the four-tenths of a mile remaining as they are $39,000 short. To make a donation, contact the Pulaski County Community Foundation at (574) 946-0906.
