Non-Profit Says Rail Trail Will Benefit Whitley Communities
Posted
Erin Windle-
COLUMBIA CITY - Friends Of Eel River Trail Inc., Columbia City, have proposed a new rail trail called Eel River Trail, which, if built, will connect to the Blue River Trail, Columbia City, and extend through South Whitley.
This one project is part of a national movement to take abandoned rail corridors and make them into trails for enjoyment and exercise.
"These days, with towns and building developments, it's nearly impossible to build things like this," said Rick Wagner, president of Friends Of Eel River Trail Inc. "But the younger generations will want to live in a place with things like this to do."
Rail trails, including the Eel River Trail, if built, are useful in many different ways to many different people. Two things they influence are health and property value. However, it takes a significant amount of money to build one, and the Friends Of Eel River Trail members are looking for support.
"Railroads don't climb hills, so when made over into trail, the path is easy," Wagner said. "And exercise is shaded as there are trees that line the paths."
The trail can be used by everybody, Wagner said, whose first interest in rail trails came from his kids' love for biking. Runners, walkers, mothers walking their babies, bikers, those in wheelchairs and more all can have the opportunity to use the rail trail.
"It's like a free outdoor YMCA," he said. "And a good way to build a community."
Rail trails also are raising property values. People are becoming more and more interested in housing located close to the trails.
The rail line for the Eel River Trail is 136 years old, and the trail will be 10 miles long. The project to build this line into a trail was started in 2005, with a first meeting for it being held last September. Friends Of Eel River Trail are in the process of getting funds together for the trail and so far, $7,000 has been contributed to the project. Wagner is hoping to get more businesses in the area involved, and they are still seeking a major sponsor.
Friends Of Eel River Trail is a volunteer effort, a non-profit organization consisting of about 30 members. "We are just trying to make the area more livable," he said.
More than 600 rail trails have been converted from more than 13,000 miles of abandoned railroad lines that exist in the country. Indiana is about 20 years behind compared to Ohio and Michigan in the rail trails project. However, the state is currently trying to buy 300 miles of abandoned railroad for trails to be built. The price is being negotiated, but Wagner believes it will be a "done deal" by September.
Wagner, whose family will ride up to 60-65 miles in one day, "hopes to make this trail a reality."
"It's like reclaiming something we used to have and making it into something else just as useful," he said.
For more information about Eel River Trail, contact Rick Wagner, president, at 574-339-1669 or visit www.eelrivertrail.com
