Wow what a year. We’re doing the math and are amazed at all that’s been accomplished, thanks in no small part to the hard work and support of coalition partners. Here are some of the numbers: 3.35 — Miles of new trail since 2022, with 4.25 more miles improved. One bridge and 1 new mile are in progress $2.9 million — Total …
Karla Beasley, a longtime community leader with a career at Goshen Health and Wellfield Botanic Gardens, is the new assistant director of the Pumpkinvine Trails Coalition. Living just a half mile from an access point, Karla and her family use the trails nearly every day, all year long. “It’s one of the reasons we remain in Middlebury,” she says. From …
In the coming year the Pumpkinvine Trails Coalition intends to convene local bicycle and pedestrian advocates regularly, to discuss issues affecting their communities. Initially, the cities of Elkhart and Goshen, and the Wakarusa-Nappanee area will be prioritized. Other community groups in Bristol, Millersburg and Middlebury will spin up after the initial set forms. If you or someone you know would …
The Pumpkinvine Trails Coalition has highlighted the ongoing need for support to maintain and improve trails in Elkhart County. These trails provide a beautiful connection to nature and our communities, but they require regular care to remain safe and accessible. Unfortunately, funding from state and federal sources for such maintenance is extremely limited, making local contributions vital. Currently, our trails …
At its annual meeting, the Goshen Chamber of Commerce gave the Friends of the Pumpkinvine the Community Service Award. We were thrilled to be honored in this way. It’s a testament to the hard work so many people have done over more than three decades. Thanks to all of you and to the Chamber for all your support.
November 12, 2024 Dear Pumpkinvine Nature Trail supporter, I hope that you are enjoying the turn-of-season, both outdoors and in. Over the years the Pumpkinvine Nature Trail has become an integral part of our communities. This is one of the most beautiful fall seasons in recent memory and for many, the trail is a serene escape into nature. We are …
Jared Beasley says he’s not a trail expert but an expert user. He regularly runs on the Pumpkinvine Nature Trail with friends and family. Sometimes that’s casual and conversational and other times he’s training for marathons or triathlons. He also walks the family dogs on the trail. He loves this trail and looks forward to helping guide its future as …
Dear Pumpkinvine Nature Trail supporter, The final section of the Pumpkinvine Nature Trail between county roads 20 and 35 in Middlebury is now open to the public. Walkers, runners and cyclists can now travel easily between Goshen, Middlebury, and Shipshewana without leaving the safety of the trail. The vision, decades in the making, is finally complete. It’s difficult to fully …
The goal of Connect in Elkhart County is pretty simple: Grow Elkhart County’s trail network from 68 miles to 130 miles in the next 10 years. It’s a big goal and we’re excited about the progress over the last 16 months since we started intensively working to make this happen. In recent months, Brittany Short has worked with others here …
Dear Friends, Six months ago, I stepped into a new role as director of the Community Foundation of Elkhart County’s trails initiative. Elkhart County is home, and I have a strong desire to see it take a more holistic approach to both transportation and wellness. Integrating activity into our daily lives is a recipe for longevity and community connectedness, and …
By Brittany Short I remember attending my first Friends of the Pumpkinvine Board meeting in 2016. The most memorable item on the agenda that day explored the question: What does the Friends of the Pumpkinvine become after all the “gaps” are complete? Conversations about the Shipshewana extension had begun, we were actively engineering the section between County Roads 20 and …
Following John Yoder’s retirement in December 2019, Brittany Short became the second-ever board president in Friends of the Pumpkinvine Nature Trail history. In the preceding two and a half years, she guided the board through a handful of long-term board member retirements and final gap projects. In May of this year, Brittany resigned from the board of directors to take on …
