Pumpkinvine Nature Trail

Middlebury-bridge-8-07

	Progress on the Middlebury-to-Shipshewana, Phases 3 & 4 April 15, 2010 - an email from Mike Puro, town manager of Shipshewana regarding the seven miles of the Pumpkinvine between Middlebury and Shipshewana: "Indiana Department of Transportation has just committed to putting the Pumpkinvine Phases 3 and 4 (Middlebury and Shipshewana) out to bid. The contractor should be chosen in August and work should start in September. The trail will be finished in 2011." Construction in Middlebury - Phase 6 In 2007 Middlebury received a TEA-21 grant to build 1.2 miles of trail from Wayne St. south to U.S. 20. They selected Butler, Fairman & Seufert as engineering consultants. Construction is expected to occur in 2012. MapleHeart Trail The 5-mile MapleHeart Trail built along CR 45 in 2008 will be extended three miles into Goshen where it will be connected to the Pumpkinvine Trail. The bid date will be August 4, 2010 with construction to begin in September for completion in spring 2011. The trail route will continue along CR 45 and then Wilden Ave. At Rock Run Creek it will turn southeast along the creek and cross under Ind. 15 at the railroad underpass. More information about trail construction.



			Silver sponsor

Construction of tunnel under U.S. 20 south
of Middlebury started in mid-April

Elkhart County Parks received $1.5 million grant to build a tunnel for the Pumpkinvine Trail under U.S. 20 southwest of Middlebury. Construction of the tunnel and 2100 feet of trail started in mid-April.
“The possibility of a tunnel under US 20 is a dream come true,” said John Yoder, Friends president. “It is something the Friends have advocated since we were organized in 1993. To see it become a reality is fantastic. Our thanks to Larry Neff, superintendent of the Elkhart County Park Department for his efforts to secure these funds.”

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Trains on the Pumpkinvine railroad crossed U.S. 20 south of Middlebury through a tunnel under the highway. The tunnel was removed after the railroad was abandoned and the highway was rebuilt 15 to 20 feet above the original railroad bed. Engineering studies determined that the safest way for the Pumpkinvine Trail to cross the highway is through a tunnel. Construction of the tunnel and 2100 feet of trail to the southwest is expected to be complete by September.

The tunnel is a major accomplishment in building a 26-mile trail system from Elkhart through Goshen and Middlebury to Shipshewana. Middlebury is conducting engineering design on 1.2 miles of trail that will extend north to Wayne St. and the 0.6 mile of trail completed by the town in 2005. Construction on the 1.2 mile section is expected in 2012. The Trails of Middlebury will be connected to Shipshewana by a 7-mile project slated to start in September and completion in 2011.

Trail Volunteer Opportunities

Elkhart County Parks and Friends are developing a volunteer program for interested parties to help with: 1) monitoring activities on the trail, 2) routine trail maintenance and 3) occasional work such as cleaning up storm damage and special trail enhancement projects.

For more information about volunteering with the Elkhart County Parks Department or to receive a volunteer application - call the administrative office at 535-6458.

Below are the owners and managing agencies for sections of trails open for public use:

Goshen to CR 28
Goshen Parks and Recreation
www.ci.goshen.in.us parksrecreation@goshencity.com

MapleHeart Trail and CR 28 to CR 33
Elkhart County Parks
www.elkhartcountyparks.org info@elkhartcountyparks.org

Wayne St. to York Dr. in Middlbury
Middlebury Parks and Recreation
www.middleburyin.org parks@middlebury.com

Maple City Walk, October 16, 2010. Watch for more information on this event.

2011 Annual Pumpkinvine Bike Ride, June 18.

Enroll your business to become a Pumpkinvine Nature Trail sponsor for 2010. For more information download Corporate Sponsor Opportunities: 2010 and Levels of Giving and Associated Benefits for 2010, in pdf format.

Six local bicycle shops give Friends members discounts on designated merchandize and/or services.

Download a brochure with a map of the Pumpkinvine Trail and connected trails in pdf format.

Side A

Side B

Friends are happy to provide a speaker for any group interested in learning more about the Pumpkinvine project. Contact us by email.

Friends policy on equestrian use of the Pumpkinvine

Bronze Sponsors

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