Pumpkinvine Home > Phase 5A1

Grant will extend trail a half mile north of C.R. 28

As reported in our last newsletter, the money will be used for additional costs in Phase 3 of the Pumpkinvine Trail, the Middlebury trail connector to Elkhart-LaGrange County line.

But, enough of the grant will be left over so that it can be used for development of unfunded phases of the Pumpkinvine Trail. The Elkhart County Park Department and board decided the section of the trail between C.R. 28 and C.R. 127 (Phase 5A1) was a good section to develop because the entire original grade is present and there are no bridges to drive up the cost.

This gift has a deadline for all work to be completed by the fall of 2009 when all of Phase 3 is scheduled to be completed. Hopefully, Phase 4, the LaGrange County section, will also be completed in 2009.

Work on Phase 3 east of Middlebury will include the renovation of two wooden tresle bridges and a small parking lot located on C.R. 43 east of Middlebury. Any excess money may be used for appraisals that are necessary to match the original Transportation Enhancement Grant with the Indiana Department of Transportation.

The Friends are grateful for the gift and appreciate the support that the state has shown in support of the Pumpkinvine Trail, a “Backbone Trail” of Indiana.