The Pumpkinvine railroad bridge was built in 1890 across the Little Elkhart River with wood post pilings. This design was used widely for railroad bridges at that time. The bridge is 158 feet long and the railroad tracks ran down the center. There were walkways on each side. After railroad service ended in 1980 the deck and railings deteriorated. When Friends took possession of the bridge they made temporary repairs mainly to correct safety hazards and remove vegetation that grew on the horizontal surfaces of the structure.

Middlebury Parks Board received a $150,000 grant from the Recreational Trails Program of the Indiana Department of Natural Resources in 2002. The funds were for renovation of the bridge and building 0.6 mile of trail from Wayne St. to York St.

Bridge renovation began on March 11, 2005. The side rails and walk way were removed.

The original bridge design and materials were preserved as much as possible. The cross ties were retained and reinforced where necessary.

Amish carpenters rebuilding the side rails.

The walkways on the sides are separated from the center deck by raised stringers that run the length of the bridge. This design is consistent with the original construction except that steel rails passed down the center previously.

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Looking south from the renovated bridge the soil was graded for installation of the trail.

View of the completed trail from the bridge.

Bridge renovation and trail construction were completed before the end of summer and a dedication ceremony was held on September 17.

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