By Kenya Woodard The Journal GazetteFort Wayne and New Haven park officials broke ground Sunday on a project that will link the two cities by a greenway path.
The New Haven Greenway, a 10-foot-wide asphalt path that will include some boardwalks, will be almost 3 miles long and travel along Trier Creek and the Maumee River when it is completed by next summer, said New Haven Parks and Recreation Director Ken Wilkinson. >Link
The trail will begin at the eastern end of the Fort Wayne Rivergreenway at North River Road, and include a trail spur leading to the main entrance to Kreager Park. The path will continue east along the Maumee River to Landin Road in New Haven at Jaycee Park, then south across the Landin Road Bridge and along Trier Ditch to Rose Avenue, then east along Rose Avenue to Rufus Street.
The new river path will also connect two New Haven parks, Havenhurst and Moser. The $1.7 million project is financed by a grant from the Indiana Department of Transportation, Wilkinson said.
The trail will give residents more opportunities for recreation and fun and allow bikers and skaters to travel between the two cities safely.
"I know people will appreciate being out in the outdoors," he said. "They know they?re safe. They don't have to worry about cars."
New Haven joined Fort Wayne in an effort to improve or construct greenways. Last month, Fort Wayne Mayor Graham Richard announced plans to spend $2 million toward Rivergreenway development and renovations. Future greenway projects in Fort Wayne include new trails in Aboite Township, Shoaff Park and northwest Allen County that extend to the county line, said Fort Wayne Parks Director Dianne Hoover.
With the trail linking New Haven to the same road that winds through Foster, Tillman and Johnny Appleseed parks in Fort Wayne, the area will be a popular spot for recreation activities, Hoover said.
Construction is buzzing along for the new trail just north of Jefferson Boulevard that will connect Swinney and Rockhill parks.
Marilyn and Chuck Bash, who regularly bike on the Rivergreenway trail, are excited that the New Haven Trail will be near their Georgetown-area home.
"It will be tremendous for people in our area," Chuck Bash said. "People will be able to get on rural roads without going on city streets."