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EEL RIVER TRAIL BENEFITING WHITLEY COUNTY INDIANA


State of Indiana buys six parcels of RR land on Eel River Line

The Indiana Department of Natural Resources has completed its purchase of 150 miles of abandoned rail corridor, for the express purpose of fostering the conversion of these historic transportation corridors into nonmotorized trails throughout the state. Six parcels of land in the State's purchase are in Whitley county, on the former Detroit, Eel River and St. Louis Railroad, also known as the Eel River Line, and ownership will be transferred to local governments or nonprofit trail groups that agree to develop the land as trails. Watch for updates here.

Columbia City Trailhead

On May 27, 2008, The Columbia City, Indiana City Council has approved, by unanimous resolution, to grant permission to the Friends of Eel River Trail, Inc., (FeelRit) to develop a city-owned site into a fully featured trailhead. The Trailhead will serve the 2.5 mile long Blue River Trail, which is already in operation, and the 10.2 mile long Eel River Trail to South Whitley, currently under development.

A $3,000 grant from the Whitley County Community Foundation (WCCF) enabled FeelRit to develop the site plan through an architectural firm, on a site recommended by the Columbia City Park Board. The ownership of the Trailhead, once completed, will be conveyed to the City, which will then gain an attractive community asset with only maintenance costs.

Architectural plans and blueprints for the professionally designed and attractive Trailhead building were gifted to FeelRit by the City of Carmel, Indiana. The Trailhead will offer year-round, heated, handicap accessible restrooms, park benches, signage, an expanded parking lot including handicap accessibility, bicycle racks and a seasonal water fountain.

The Trailhead will benefit the many users of the existing Blue River Trail by providing a restroom where none is currently available, as well as additional parking. It will also serve as a trail link or connection between the Blue River Trail and the Eel River Trail. which will continue westward and southward out into rural Whitley county.

It is felt that the Columbia City Trailhead will be a positive factor for downtown businesses in Columbia City such as restaurants and coffee shops. Formal application for construction funding for the Trailhead will begin in the near future.


Why Rail Trails?

There are now over 700 paved rail trails in existence in the United States today converted from more than 14,000 miles of abandoned railroad lines, with many more under development. Rail trails are for non-motorized uses including walking, bicycling, jogging, in-line skating, and wheelchairs. Besides attracting tourists, many communities find that these trails are tools that emphasize the benefits of an area not just as a place to visit, but a good place to locate and live.

Neighboring communities such as North Manchester have shown an interest in the Eel River Trail as well, because future extensions of the trail will connect them to other nearby communities with active transportation, and be good for tourism as the trail becomes regional in nature.

Friends of Eel River Trail (FeelRit) is looking for citizens and businesses to help with financial contributions to make the Eel River Trail a reality. Government grant programs being sought require local matching funds to secure related grant programs. See the support page of this web site for how you can help!








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