Trails & Economic Development
July 28, 2016 at 4:25 p.m.
By -
There are now about 20,000 miles of non-motorized trails in operation in the U.S., converted from abandoned railroad lines. Most connect small towns as railroads were instrumental in the westward expansion of our nation and in the moving of grain and livestock to markets. Indiana is 20 years behind in the development of rails to trails. Neighboring regions like lower Michigan now offer veritable networks of trails that interconnect much of the lower peninsula.
Here in the Warsaw area, if the community wants to be competitive with other locales in attracting and keeping industry, then it is important to have more recreational possibilities. People are more apt to want to live in an area that has such trails for walking, bicycling, jogging and in-line skating which are free and healthy past times for individuals and families.
The orthopedic industry by nature is about fostering freedom of movement and mobility through joint replacement. Thus, in my opinion, the orthopedic industry locally could be leading the effort financially to build a network of trails.
We bicyclists appreciate the effort made recently to widen Winona Avenue slightly for bike lanes. But the way people drive on East Winona Avenue, there is no way that a parent would want their child riding alongside that traffic at close quarters.
It is time our county council and commission realize that trail development is as crucial to economic development as any other “carrot” to attract industry and talent. There are many such examples of industries choosing new plant locations based on trail recreation possibilities.
My suggestion is that the city and the county jointly approach Rail America, the parent of the CF&E Railroad, lessee of the east-west active CSX rail line through the county. The request to them would be for them to use the track closest to the Dalton Foundry through Warsaw, and allow buying or leasing the trackage next to it (without the rails), on the south side, to be developed as a trail link through town. Trails alongside active rails are being built all over America, most with a chain link fence separating the two.
An overhead pedestrian bridge could also be built at the corner of Argonne Road and Winona Avenue to carry trail users from the shore sidewalk of Winona Lake up onto the rail trail surface. There are hundreds of these in America, such as the one on West River Drive in Comstock Park, Michigan on the White Pine Trail.
The rail corridor is quite ample in width from Argonne Road through downtown, to Zimmer Road, where the sidewalk can carry traffic north past Zimmer to the Chinworth Trail. Using this corridor through downtown satisfies the Indiana DNR trail program rules, because there are railroad bells and blinking lights at each street crossing through downtown.
Incidentally, the old Warsaw to Mentone interurban line is also a distinct nine mile trail possibility, from near Zimmer Road behind Donnelley’s to Mentone. Most of the old line now has power lines above it, and electric utilities often cooperate for trail development under those lines because it affords them easier access for repairs.
Rick Wagner
Pierceton, via email[[In-content Ad]]
There are now about 20,000 miles of non-motorized trails in operation in the U.S., converted from abandoned railroad lines. Most connect small towns as railroads were instrumental in the westward expansion of our nation and in the moving of grain and livestock to markets. Indiana is 20 years behind in the development of rails to trails. Neighboring regions like lower Michigan now offer veritable networks of trails that interconnect much of the lower peninsula.
Here in the Warsaw area, if the community wants to be competitive with other locales in attracting and keeping industry, then it is important to have more recreational possibilities. People are more apt to want to live in an area that has such trails for walking, bicycling, jogging and in-line skating which are free and healthy past times for individuals and families.
The orthopedic industry by nature is about fostering freedom of movement and mobility through joint replacement. Thus, in my opinion, the orthopedic industry locally could be leading the effort financially to build a network of trails.
We bicyclists appreciate the effort made recently to widen Winona Avenue slightly for bike lanes. But the way people drive on East Winona Avenue, there is no way that a parent would want their child riding alongside that traffic at close quarters.
It is time our county council and commission realize that trail development is as crucial to economic development as any other “carrot” to attract industry and talent. There are many such examples of industries choosing new plant locations based on trail recreation possibilities.
My suggestion is that the city and the county jointly approach Rail America, the parent of the CF&E Railroad, lessee of the east-west active CSX rail line through the county. The request to them would be for them to use the track closest to the Dalton Foundry through Warsaw, and allow buying or leasing the trackage next to it (without the rails), on the south side, to be developed as a trail link through town. Trails alongside active rails are being built all over America, most with a chain link fence separating the two.
An overhead pedestrian bridge could also be built at the corner of Argonne Road and Winona Avenue to carry trail users from the shore sidewalk of Winona Lake up onto the rail trail surface. There are hundreds of these in America, such as the one on West River Drive in Comstock Park, Michigan on the White Pine Trail.
The rail corridor is quite ample in width from Argonne Road through downtown, to Zimmer Road, where the sidewalk can carry traffic north past Zimmer to the Chinworth Trail. Using this corridor through downtown satisfies the Indiana DNR trail program rules, because there are railroad bells and blinking lights at each street crossing through downtown.
Incidentally, the old Warsaw to Mentone interurban line is also a distinct nine mile trail possibility, from near Zimmer Road behind Donnelley’s to Mentone. Most of the old line now has power lines above it, and electric utilities often cooperate for trail development under those lines because it affords them easier access for repairs.
Rick Wagner
Pierceton, via email[[In-content Ad]]
Have a news tip? Email [email protected] or Call/Text 360-922-3092