The Prairie Trails Club will be hosting a 5k run / 3k walk this month.
Continue readingErie Trail subject to periodic closures September 4
According to the Prairie Trails Club Inc., The Erie Trail between Range Road and Starke County Road 700 South will be subject to periodic closures this upcoming Thursday, September 4.
Continue readingOSSIS’ Archway of the Sun Installed in North Judson
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Residents and visitors of North Judson got a glimpse of the sun Monday, December 16 – despite the gloomy weather – with the installation of the Archway of the Sun. This new landmark marks the beginning of the “Our Solar System in Scale” (OSSIS) installation along the Erie Trail, a project designed to offer a unique blend of education, arts, culture, and exercise.
The Archway of the Sun, installed by Steindler Signs & Graphix, serves as the starting point for a multi-faceted project that was fully funded by the Lilly Endowment GIFT VII Placemaking Grant, awarded to the Starke County Community Foundation. The OSSIS installation is a scaled representation of our solar system, with the planets depicted at a scale of 1:355 million over several miles along the Erie Trail.
To explore OSSIS, visitors should begin at Main Street, just east of the Hoosier Valley Rail Museum in North Judson, and head east. The first four planets – Mercury, Venus, Earth, and Mars – are within an easy 1-mile round-trip walk from the Archway of the Sun. However, for those seeking to explore the farther reaches of the solar system, including gas giants like Jupiter and Neptune, a longer journey is required. Neptune, for example, is located over 8 miles from the starting point, making bicycle travel a more practical option for the extended trek.
The Archway of the Sun, along with the sun information sign, joins the planetary markers previously installed by Outstanding Tradeshow Exhibit Services (OTES).
This project would not have been possible without the hard work and dedication of numerous individuals and organizations. Special thanks are extended to Steindler Signs & Graphix, Outstanding Tradeshow Exhibit Services, Martin Lucas for his inspiration and design, Bob Aloi and Territorial Engineering, the Prairie Trails Club, Hoosier Valley Railroad Museum, the Town of North Judson, and all others who contributed to bringing this vision to life.
Erie Trail Now Open after Completion of Bridge Work
The Erie Trail between Starke County Roads 300 East and 400 East in California Township is back open following the replacement of the Fell Ditch Bridge.
Continue readingErie Trail to Close for Bridge Work
The Erie Trail between Starke County Roads 300 East and 400 East in California Township will be closed in order to complete the replacement of the Fell Ditch Bridge.
Continue readingPrairie Trails Club, Inc Holds Public Input Session on Erie Trail Extension
The Prairie Trails Club, Inc held an open door meeting in order to hear public opinions and ideas on a project to extend the existing shared-use pedestrian/bicycle trail a distance of .9 miles to the northwest from Main Street in North Judson, to along English Lake Road.
Continue readingOur Solar System in Scale Event on Sunday
The Constellation of Starke Creatives Network and Prairie Trails Club will meet on Sunday, October 16 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. CT.
Continue readingStudent Mural Project Completed on the Erie Trail
Visitors to the Erie Trail will have new scenery while walking or biking near the 200 E. intersection of the trail in Starke County.
Continue readingOfficials Cut Ribbon on Newly Completed Segment of Erie Trail in Starke County
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.
Continue readingStarke County Commissioners to Revisit Solar Rezoning Request Today
Days after ground was broken on the Mammoth Solar Project, the Starke County Commissioners will consider zoning permission for some affected parcels south of Bass Lake. Earlier this month, the commissioners agreed to rezone the Rentka property west of U.S. 35 to Agriculture, but tabled a decision on the nearby Redlin property. Among other things, Agricultural zoning allows for the installation of solar panels.
Continue readingCross-Country Veterans Bike Expedition Reaches Finish Line
A cross-country bicycle ride that brought five combat veterans through Starke County is almost complete. Back in May, they set off from Washington, D.C. on the Great American Rail-Trail.
Continue readingPrairie Trails Club Reaches Easement Agreement with Railroad Owner
The Erie Trail has secured a path from North Judson to LaCrosse. Steve Lucas with the Prairie Trails Club says the group has finalized an easement with the new owners of the Chesapeake and Indiana Railroad.
Continue readingRegions Have Another Month to Get Ready for READI
Regions applying for funding from the state’s READI program have another month to put their plans together. The Indiana Economic Development Corporation announced Monday that the deadline for proposals is now September 30.
Continue readingPrairie Trails Club Welcomes Cross-Country Veterans Bike Expedition
A cross-country bicycle ride brought five combat veterans to Starke County last week. The 3,700-mile trip on the Great American Rail-Trail is being organized by Warrior Expeditions, a nonprofit group that helps veterans transition away from their wartime experiences through an outdoor therapy program.
Continue readingCross-Country Veterans Bike Excursion Expected to Arrive in Starke County Today
Four veterans on a cross-country bike ride are expected to arrive in Starke County today. The 3,700-mile trip on the Great American Rail-Trail is being organized by Warrior Expeditions, a nonprofit group that helps veterans transition away from their wartime experiences through an outdoor therapy program.
Continue readingMore Work Needed to Secure Trail Easement from English Lake to LaCrosse
An extension of the Erie Trail could soon secure a path all the way to LaCrosse, but more discussions are needed with the new owner of the Chesapeake and Indiana Railroad.
Continue readingPrairie Trails Club Prepares to Welcome Veterans Taking Part in Cross-Country Bike Trip
Five veterans’ journey back to civilian life will take them through Starke County in the coming days, and members of the Prairie Trails Club are stepping up to welcome them. Warrior Expeditions is a nonprofit group that helps veterans transition away from their wartime experiences through an outdoor therapy program.
Continue readingNorth Judson Celebrates Closing of Railroad Sale
The era of town railroad ownership in North Judson has officially come to an end. Officials celebrated the closing of the sale of the 33-mile railroad to Midwest & Bluegrass Rail during Monday’s town council meeting. “This is a very special day, absolutely,” said Council President John Rowe.
Continue readingBall State Students Discuss Downtown Revitalization Opportunities with North Judson Leaders
Bringing new life to Downtown North Judson may involve capitalizing on nearby amenities but would also require some local leaders to step up. Graduate students from Ball State University held a virtual community engagement session with town officials and business owners Monday.
Continue readingNorth Judson Taking Steps to Finalize Railroad Sale, Discussions over LaCrosse Property Continue
The Town of North Judson is finalizing plans for the sale of its short-line railroad. Last month, the town’s redevelopment commission voted to sell the 33-mile railroad corridor to Midwest & Bluegrass Rail for $2,725,000. The deal cleared another procedural hurdle last week, when the commission passed a resolution confirming the corridor’s economic development area, which was initially created last summer.
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