DEAR WAYNEDALE READERS
The City of Fort Wayne recently hosted a Regional Greenway Summit. The Summit brought together elected officials, greenway and trail advocates, and the community to discuss the current trail system and plans for how trails will be improved and added in the City, Allen County and Northeast Indiana.
At the Summit we announced the City will construct a new mile of greenway along the Towpath Trail in 2006. The trail will eventually link the City and New Haven with the Aboite area. The Indiana Department of Natural Resources recently awarded the City with a $150,000 federal grant to assist with constructing a portion of the Towpath Trail. The trail starts at Rockhill Park and runs southwest along the original route of the Wabash-Erie Canal. We also plan to pave more than four miles of the Rivergreenway in 2006. We are on pace to repave the entire greenway system by the end of 2007.
Greenways and trails are valuable assets to our region. We must capitalize on this tremendous opportunity to make a positive difference in the lives of many. We need to be committed to better physical fitness and exercise.
The greenway provides us with links to parks, schools and neighborhoods. It also helps us promote a green city that’s more environmentally friendly. Businesses look to communities that have greenway resources. Greenways and trails can help us retain and gain jobs, and stimulate economic growth.
The City and greenway volunteer groups plan to increase the miles of trails and greenways from 18 to more than 100. More than 40 Greenway Ranger volunteers help make the greenway cleaner and more user-friendly. The volunteers check a portion of the greenway system once a week to make sure there aren’t any serious problems. Earlier this year, the Fort Wayne Police Department began using bike patrols on the greenway. We are on our way to a bright future.
Have a safe and wonderful Thanksgiving holiday.
Graham Richard
Mayor
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