Officials from the DNR, Next Level Trails, and the Prairie Trails Club, Inc. cut the ribbon Friday to welcome visitors to the newly completed segment of the Erie Trail in Starke County.
The 2.1 mile asphalt trail extends the 9.3-mile Erie Trail, which is named for the former Erie-Lackawanna Railroad, east along the former rail corridor from U.S. 35 to 700 E. in Starke County. Walkers, runners, and bicyclists may use the trail from 700 E. and travel west all the way to the Town of North Judson and back. An adjacent natural surface trail is available for equestrian enthusiasts.
The extension was made possible with a $390,750 Next Level Trails grant to the Prairie Trails Club. DNR Chief of Staff Mike Smith offered congratulations from the Next Level Trails Committee and Governor Eric Holcomb.
“Next Level Trails is the next biggest investment of state trails funding in Indiana history and we’re excited to celebrate the extension of the Erie Trail,” said Smith.
The Hoosier Valley Railroad Museum, the Town of North Judson, the Greenways Foundation, Starke County Community Foundation, Starke County Highway Department, Indiana Trails Community, and the Luminous Fund are just a few partners in this endeavor.
The Erie Trail is part of the Great American Rail-Trail, a planned route organized by the Rails-to-Trails Conservancy (RTC) from Washington D.C. to Washington State. Including the extension of the Erie Trail, approximately 55% of the Great American’s 214 planned miles across Indiana are now complete.
The Starke County Community Foundation has been able to provide monetary contributions through funds within the foundation to assist the Prairie Trails Club in various aspects of planning over the years and Director of Development Jacque Ryan presented the club with some additional support.
Ryan stated, “The latest support that we’re able to provide is $3,500 for trail maintenance and that’s from the Hardesty Memorial Endowment Fund. We’re very happy to be able to do that.”
In addition to being part of the Great American Trail, the Erie Trail is part of the American Discovery Trail and U.S. Bike Route 35.
The event was well attended by many supporters in the area.
