Continuously serving Kosciusko County since 1854
Kosciusko County Community Coordinator Amy Roe gave the Kosciusko County Parks Board an update on how the Community Amenities Project (CAP) was progressing Thursday.
Leesburg had to change its project. After meeting with Kosciusko County Highway Department Superintendent Steve Moriarty, the team discussed which direction the walking trail should go and noted that the board should be part of that conversation. The Leesburg Town Council is debating whether the trail should extend along Baseline Road to Warsaw or from Ind. 15. The project will complete the internal trail system and connect it to the Maple Leaf area.
“There is a potential that we will be coming and speaking about a need for support for the Safe Routes to School grants that MACOG (Michiana Area Council of Governments) has obtained,” Roe said.
“So I understand, they’ve removed the proposed path to the school?” asked Board member Mike Cusick. Roe confirmed, explaining school officials requested the change since they must have a Safe Routes to School plan in place for any projects directed toward school property.
Roe said the point of the Parks Board visiting Leesburg is to make the town aware the board exists and to offer help and support. She also noted that because MACOG received funding, there can be sub-grant recipients for Safe Routes to School projects.
Cusick said he wasn’t ready to determine where the trail should go, but noted along the old interurban route next to Ind. 15, remnants of the former grade can still be seen. He said the Indiana Department of Transportation’s speed limit requirements dictate how far a greenway or pavement must be from the road, and the interurban route may not meet that requirement.
“This is something we’ll want to figure out sooner rather than later because it will impact future opportunities,” Cusick said.
Syracuse-Wawasee Trail had put in its application for the Indiana trails, but received a deferral from the CAP program.
“If the lack of approval of that CAP will negatively impact funds from Indiana Trails … if they don’t get the Indiana Trails, then the domino of funds they’ve so diligently worked together on would not fall into place,” Roe said. She expressed hope the Indiana Trails Project would approve their request.
Mentone has two proposed projects: One is an internal park improvement project, and the other is a large trail project possibly connecting to Etna Green by 2027. The trail would connect the park to the school, extend to a possible new residential area and then go north toward Etna Green. Cusick said this would be a great idea because it would create more connections to the Chinworth Bridge extension and connect to Fulton County through the National Trail Program.
Regarding the Chinworth Bridge, Roe said a company she had been in contact with is interested in donating paint and labor for the bridge, provided it is stripped and ready for repainting. This project may be moved to another fiscal year. She also found a grant for bridge preservation.
Board Vice President Aggie Sweeney noted the county has funds allocated for bridge inspections. Board member Troy Turley said he wants to engage more with the Kosciusko County Friends of the Trail group to help with improvements and beautification.
Cusick said he wants to connect all the current projects to create a larger trail network for residents and visitors, as well as find ways to connect with neighboring counties.
Other ongoing or planned projects include:
• North Webster: Developing a trail to connect unincorporated areas within the community. This will not connect to the Syracuse trail. The town is also planning an internal park project.
• Pierceton: Working on a sidewalk connection project extending sidewalks from the current Hoosier Enduring Legacy Program (HELP) project on Catholic Street past the library, down to Main Street and possibly to U.S. 30 to connect to the park.
“They have also talked about going down to Sidney, but this is all a point of reference,” Roe said.
• Claypool: Has started a strategic plan and wants to connect with the board about its five-year plan.
• Sidney: Looking to connect with the county overall and has a park project in development thanks to a resident’s land donation.
• Etna Green: Turley said he was impressed with how its trail project is progressing.
Chinworth Trail Extension
Sweeney commented on the Oct. 9 ribbon-cutting for the Chinworth Bridge extension, saying it felt great to have a completed project.
John Nelson, of VS Engineering, presented change order 2 for the Chinworth Trail Extension project, showing 11 removable bollards will be added back into the project for a total of $3,850. These bollards have not yet been installed but should be within the next week. Nelson explained there would be one placed at each street on both sides of the trail, one at the end and one at the beginning.
The motion to approve the contract change order was approved.
Sweeney asked for clarification on remaining expenses. Nelson said there is a 10% retainer of $96,023.46, plus the $3,850 for the change order, and that the next meeting will likely be the last time VS requests payment.
Cusick said the only thing remaining need might be signage. Nelson said if the board wants him to handle it, he’ll need to know what type of signs and where they should go, and he’ll coordinate with Moriarty for approval.
Cusick said signs should include trail distance information and Kosciusko County Parks logos.
“We’re wondering if there needs to be a ‘No Trailhead Parking’ sign,” he added. Nelson suggested waiting to see if parking becomes an issue before installing such a sign.
Nelson asked where the parks logo signs should go, and Cusick said one should be at the trailhead on Creighton Brothers property and the other at the Chinworth Bridge crossing. Board member Matt Metzger said they would provide design files for the county, and Nelson agreed.
Sweeney asked whether the expense would fit within the approved budget. Nelson said he would need to check but noted that $3,850 from the unused bollard funds could potentially cover the signs.
Cusick said the signs would be aluminum and square, featuring the full Kosciusko County Parks and Recreation logo. The distance sign would be green and reflective to match other trail signs.
The board agreed Nelson will get estimates from Niblock and the highway department, with official action to be taken next month.
Sweeney asked for clarification if the change order needed to go before the county commissioners at their next meeting, and if one of them should be there. County Auditor Alyssa Schmucker affirmed and said it would be added to the agenda. Nelson noted that Board President Rob Bishop had already mentioned the change at a recent meeting, so they should be aware.
Enchanted Hills
Debra Lanning and Bobbi Baer, owners of Starri Dream Inc., spoke to the board about the park and other challenges in the unincorporated community of Enchanted Hills.
Lanning said residents feel the community is being overlooked by the county and would like to see improvements. The area lacks streetlights and sidewalks. Residents have raised funds for better park equipment and want to make Enchanted Hills safer and more appealing for children. Roe offered several recommendations for addressing their needs.
In other business:
• An invoice dated June 30, 2025, for $4,687.50 was discussed. Schmucker clarified the payment was issued Oct. 14 and should be part of the official record.
• The board approved holding its 2026 meetings on the second Thursday of each month at 1 p.m.
The next meeting will be at 1 p.m. Nov. 20.
