Completed Trail Projects

What It Takes to Build A Trail

From the first time someone thinks, “Hey, this is a great spot for a trail,” to its construction, almost all public, multipurpose trails go through these phases on their road to completion. Not all phases run congruent to each other and many times phases are happening at the same time. 

 

Resource Development


(2-5 years): Figuring out whether there are enough cash resources, partners, and public desire for a proposed stretch of trail. How much does it cost? Each mile of trail averages between $800,000-$1.2 million.

Pre-Engineering/ Study


(3-6 months): Let’s take a serious look at this proposed section, and determine whether there will be any obstacles. Is there a wetland, or a creek? Which side of the road will have the greatest benefit, and least impact? What is the grade? Are there resources like mature trees we’d like to work around? The partners in the project visit the site several times with engineering experts, to determine how best to create the new trail.

Engineering & Design


 

(6-12 months): Once the Pre-engineering decisions are made, experienced engineers will survey and create the construction plans or “blueprints” for the actual project, taking into consideration all of the questions addressed above.

 

 

 

 

Bidding


(3-6 months): Projects that are being completed by municipalities and/or using public resources from local, state, and federal sources must follow statutes regarding open bidding for these projects.

Right-Of-Way Acquisition


(1-2 years): With a final plan and the funds in place, the partners can approach property owners to acquire the needed permission to proceed with the project. This includes the purchasing of right-of-way or donation by property owner, the granting of easements, and so forth.

Trail Construction


 (6-9 months): The construction phase includes relocating utilities as needed and installing the trail. Building a trail requires the same preliminary work as building a road.

Restoration Work


 (3-6 months): Once the trail construction is completed, the entire project gets a face lift, with fresh grass seedings, landscaping and trees as called for in the specific project, benches, signage, etc.

Current Fort Wayne Trails Assisted Projects

Other Trail Projects In Our Community

Recently Completed Trail Projects

Ardmore Avenue: Airport Expressway to Second Street [Entrance to Airport] (1mi)

Project Status


Completed Phases:                        

THIS PROJECT IS COMPLETE

Project Owner: City of Fort Wayne

Description: This trail has been paved. Restoration work and road work continue.

Updated: January 2021

Bass Road - Clifty Pkwy to Thomas Road (.58mi)

Project Status


Completed Phases:             

This Project Is Complete

Project Owner: Allen County

Description: The Allen County Highway Department is building a 10′ wide multi-purpose trail along Bass Road as part of the road-widening project in several phases between 2017 and 2023. This trail will be constructed along the north side of the road between Clifty Parkway and Thomas Road. This phase of the project was bid in March of 2021. From just west of Thomas to Clifty Parkway was completed in September and is open.

Updated: November 2022

BASS ROAD - HADLEY ROAD TO CLIFTY PKWY (1.35mi)

Project Status


Completed Phases:             

This Project Is Complete

Project Owner: Allen County

Description: The Allen County Highway Department is building a 10′ wide multi-purpose trail along Bass Road as part of the road-widening project in several phases between 2017 and 2023. This trail will be constructed along the north side of the road between Hadley Road and Clifty Parkway. This phase of the project is scheduled to be completed in 2019. This project is complete

Updated: December 2021

BASS ROAD - THOMAS ROAD TO HILLEGAS ROAD (.66mi)

Project Status


Completed Phases:             

This Project Is Complete

Project Owner: Allen County

Description: The Allen County Highway Department is building a 10′ wide multi-purpose trail along Bass Road as part of the road-widening project in several phases between 2020 and 2026. Construction has started on this section of trail from Hillegas Rd to N Thomas Rd. This section of trail was completed in November 2021.

Updated: December 2021

Beckett's Run Trail - St. Joe Center to Clinton St. (1.8mi)

Project Status


Completed Phases:             

THIS PROJECT IS COMPLETE

Project Owner: City of Fort Wayne Public Works

Description: The current phase will construct a 1.8 mile trail along the west bank of St Joe River from St. Joe Center Road (where it will connect with Rivergreenway) to Beckett’s Run and then westerly along Beckett’s Run to Clinton. In the future, the Beckett’s Run Trail will extend to Salomon Farm Park and the Pufferbelly Trail, creating a 17-mile loop connecting the Rivergreenway and the Pufferbelly. Fort Wayne Trails assisted with the development of a logo for this trail.  The trail is paved and handrailing is completed. Planted 63 trees and 16 shrubs and removed invasive Bradford Pears with 36 volunteers in October 2021.

Updated: December 2021

BUCKNER PARK TRAIL (.75mi)

Project Status


Completed Phases:             

Current Phase: Completed

Project Owner:  City of Fort Wayne Parks Department & DNR

Description: 8ft wide asphalt trail from the newly constructed Bass Rd Trail heading north into the park. The trail will provide park benches in several locations with scenic overlooks. The trail will run parallel to the Flaugh Ditch for a distance, providing views of the stream. At the north end of the trail there will a loop as a turn around with a picnic area and open-air pavilion. The trail will connect to the existing splash pad, pavilion, playground, and stone trail.

This trail has been completed and a ribbon-cutting ceremony was held on 7/10/23.

Updated: February 2024

Carrol Road Trail - Pathway Church to Pufferbelly Trail (.5mi)

Project Status


Completed Phases:             

THIS PROJECT IS COMPLETE

Project Owner: Allen County, Fort Wayne Trails Inc.

Fort Wayne Trails Activities: Allen County Highway Department with assistance from Fort Wayne Trails will construct a 10′ trail on the north side of Carroll Road from the new trail built by Pathway Church east to connect to the Pufferbelly Trail.

Construction was completed in June 2022.

Updated: October 2022

Dupont Road Trail - Coldwater Road to Pine Mills Road (.31mi)

Project Status


Completed Phases:            

THIS PROJECT IS COMPLETE

Project Owner: City of Fort Wayne Public Works, Fort Wayne Trails Inc

Description: This project will include a 12′ wide curb-faced trail constructed on the south side of Dupont Road, filling a gap that will create a 4.7-mile trail along Dupont Road from Lima to Tonkel Road. The project also includes a sidewalk on the north side from Pine Mills Road west to the strip mall. The city is currently in the process of finalizing property acquisition from the last property owner and Fort Wayne Trails is assisting with fundraising for the project. Construction on this project has begun and a ribbon-cutting is scheduled for December 2021.

Updated: August 2022

Dupont Road Trail: Lima Road to Coldwater Road (1.8mi)

Project Status


Completed Phases:            

THIS PROJECT IS COMPLETE

Project Owner: City of Fort Wayne

Description: This trail project is part of a larger road widening project that will include a 10′ wide trail on the south side and a sidewalk on the north side of Dupont. It also includes a below-grade Pufferbelly Trail crossing of Dupont Road. This project is complete.

Updated: January 2020

Fishing Line Trail (.5 mi)

Project Status


Completed Phases:            

THIS PROJECT IS COMPLETE

Project Owner: City of Fort Wayne Public Works and DNR

Description: The City received a Recreational Trails Program grant for this .5-mile asphalt trail on the former Grand Rapids – Indiana railroad corridor. The project received NEPA approval from INDOT and received Rule 5 permit. The project has been bid and construction started in May 2022. The trail is 98% complete and the project is awaiting benches and trash cans to be delivered.

Updated: August 2022

Hanna Street Trail - Pettit Ave to Decatur Road (.37mi)

Project Status


Completed Phases:            

Current Phase: This Project is Complete

Project Owner: City of Fort Wayne Public Works

Description: This project will include an 8′-10′ wide trail constructed on the west side of Hanna Street. The trail has been paved and restoration work is complete.

Updated: February 2024

Hanna Street: Pontiac Street to Rudisill Boulevard

Project Status


Completed Phases:              

THIS PROJECT IS COMPLETE

Project Owner: City Of Fort Wayne

Description: 8′ wide concrete trail on east side of Hanna St. from Pontiac to Oxford and the west side from Oxford to Rudisill. Will connect with Weisser Park; Weisser Park Elementary School; bike lanes on Rudisill; and Foster Park & Rivergreenway via Rudisill bike lanes and sidewalk.

Updated: October 2018

 

Hanna Street Trail - Rudisill Blvd to Pettit Avenue (.8 mi)

Project Status


Completed Phases:            

Current Phase: THIS PROJECT IS COMPLETE

Project Owner: City of Fort Wayne Public Works

Description: This project will include an 8′ wide trail constructed on the west side of Hanna Street.

This project is complete.

Updated: February 2024

Hanna Street Trail: US 27 to Tillman Road [.41 mi]

Project Status


Completed Phases:          

THIS PROJECT IS COMPLETE

Project Owner: City of Fort Wayne

Description: The City of Fort Wayne will construct a 10′ trail along the west side of Hanna Street from US 27/Lafayette Blvd to Tillman Road and connect to Tillman Park. A sidewalk will also be constructed along the south side of Tillman Road to North Phoenix Parkway and along North Phoenix Parkway to connect to existing sidewalks at Southtown Centre. Construction is scheduled to begin in August, 2019.  PROJECT IS COMPLETE.

Updated: November 2019

Lake Avenue Trail (.52mi)

Project Status


Completed Phases:           

THIS PROJECT IS COMPLETE

Project Owner: City of Fort Wayne Community Development partnering with Public Works

Description: Ten-foot wide asphalt trail on the north side of the street. Construction is complete from Randallia to Coliseum Blvd.

Updated: November 2022

Landin Road Trail - Powers Ave. to North River Road (1.4 mi)

Project Status


Completed Phases:           

Current Phase: This Project is Complete

Project Owner: City of New Haven

Description: The City of New Haven will complete a road project on Landin Road, turning the four-lane road into a two-lane road with 8′ trails on each side, extending from Powers Ave. to North River Road. Construction is planned in two phases in 2021 and 2022. Phase 1 is Powers to north of the railroad tracks and will be finished by the end of October 2021. Phase 2 is north of the railroad track to North River Rd and will be constructed immediately following Phase 1. Phase 2 has been approved by INDOT and has been awarded.

This Project is complete.

Updated: February 2024

LUDWIG ROAD TRAIL (.4mi)

Project Status


Completed Phases:             

Current Phase: THIS PROJECT IS COMPLETE

Project Owner: City of Fort Wayne Public Works, INDOT

Description: Ludwig Road will be realigned from Coldwater to Ludwig Circle East. A trail will be included as part of the project. The project also includes a roundabout at Brotherhood Mutual. Pre-construction meeting was held in late January 2022. This project is complete.

Updated: February 2023

Maplecrest Road: State Blvd to Stellhorn Rd (1.6 mi)

Project Status


Completed Phases:             

THIS PROJECT IS COMPLETE

Project Owner: City of Fort Wayne Public Works

Description: City will be widening this section of Maplecrest Rd. An 8′ wide trail will be included on the west side and a sidewalk on the east side. A trail will also be constructed along sections of Stellhorn to make connections to shopping and restaurants.

This project is divided into two phases: Phase 1 is State to Trier which will be constructed in 2020, Phase 2 is Trier to Stellhorn and will be constructed in 2021. The trail along Stellhorn Rd is complete. Work continues on Phase 2 and is scheduled for completion in 2021.

Updated: August 2022

Maysville Road: Stellhorn Road to Meijer Dr

Project Status


Completed Phases:              

THIS PROJECT IS COMPLETE

Project Owner: City of Fort Wayne

Description: City will widen the roadway to five lanes where needed; where not needed a landscaped median will be placed. 10′ wide trail on NW side and sidewalk on opposite side. Projects funded with TIF. Project also includes trail on south side of Stellhorn from Maysville to Wheelock and sidewalk on west side of Maysville from Stellhorn south to Marathon Gas Station to tie in with existing sidewalk. This project has been completed.

Updated: October 2018

Meadowbrook Trail - New Haven Community Center To Kady Gene Senior Living (.5mi)

Project Status


Completed Phases:             

Current Phase: THIS PROJECT IS COMPLETE

Project Owner: New Haven/Adams Township Parks and Recreation

Description: 10ft trail providing access between the New Haven Community Center and the Kady Gene Senior Housing complex. The trail will go north on Brookwood Dr. and then west on Brookdale Dr. to connect to the existing paths of the community center. The design is complete. The project was bid in May 2021. Construction should start in the early fall with completion by December 2022. Construction is complete

Updated: February 2023

Monroeville Park Loop [.5 mi]

Project Status


Completed Phases:                           

THIS PROJECT IS COMPLETE

Project Owner: Monroeville

Description: The Town of Monroeville constructed a half-mile trail loop in the Monroeville Community Park utilizing Indiana DNR Land & Water grant funds. This project was completed in 2019.

Updated: December 2019

MONROEVILLE TRAIL

Project Status


Completed Phases:             

Current Phase: This Project is Complete

Project Owner: Monroeville, NIRCC

Description: This trail will start at the trailhead within the former Conversation Club property, head east through the woods and across Flat Rock Creek onto town-owned property behind CME then north to Monroeville Road. Moving forward in the INDOT process. This project was bid and the bid was approved by INDOT and Monroeville. Construction is complete.

Updated: February 2024

PAYTON COUNTY PARK TRAIL (.5mi)

Project Status


Completed Phases:            

Current Phase: This Project is Complete

Project Owner: Allen County Parks and Fort Wayne Trails Inc

Fort Wayne Trails Activities: Allen County Parks is working with Fort Wayne Trails to create a new trailhead of Payton County Park with a 1/2 mile loop from the trailhead to the Pufferbelly Trail. Construction and paving of the park loop is complete and Allen County Highway has resurfaced Dunton Road. Construction of a trail hub and additional park improvements will follow.

Updated: February 2024

PFW Pedestrian Bridge - Over Coliseum Blvd

Project Status


Completed Phases:             

THIS PROJECT IS COMPLETE

Project Owner: PFW/Ivy Tech

Description: Pedestrian Bridge over Coliseum Blvd. to link Ivy Tech and Purdue Fort Wayne campuses, called the Parker Cole Crossing. This bridge connects to the Rivergreenway through the west side of the Ivy Tech parking lot to a mid-block crossing on Anthony. The bridge also connects to the Rivergreenway on the PFW campus through internal trails/sidewalks. The bridge is complete.

Updated: December 2021

Poka-Bache Connector - Bluffton Road from W. Foster Park to Lower Huntington Road (1.5mi)

Project Status


Completed Phases:              

THIS PROJECT IS COMPLETE

Project Owner: City of Fort Wayne

Fort Wayne Trails Activities: This section of the Poka-Bache Connector was funded in part through a Regional Cities Initiative grant. Fort Wayne Trails advocated for this project and partnered with the City of Fort Wayne to apply for these funds. This project has been completed.

Updated: October 2018

Pufferbelly Trail - Lawton Park to State Boulevard (.63mi)

Project Status


Completed Phases:             

THIS PROJECT IS COMPLETE

Project Owner: City of Fort Wayne

Fort Wayne Trails Activities: This section of the Pufferbelly Trail was funded in part through a Regional Cities Initiative grant. Fort Wayne Trails advocated for this project and partnered with the City of Fort Wayne to apply for these funds. This project has been completed.

Updated: May 2018

Pufferbelly Trail – Life Bridge Church to Fitch Rd (4.3mi)

Project Status


Completed Phases:            

Current Phase: Restoration

Project Owner: Allen County, Allen County Parks, Huntertown, Fort Wayne Trails Inc.

Fort Wayne Trails Activities: Fort Wayne Trails is acting as a partner and project coordinator for Allen County trail projects, and has successfully advocated for county funding during 2018-2019. A 12′ wide trail on the old railroad corridor will connect Life Bridge Trailhead to Fitch Rd as part of The Poka-Bache Connector trail.  Fort Wayne Trails is also partnering with the Allen County Parks Department to build a trail spur to the parking area of Payton County Park, and a trail hub rest area and gathering spot along this section of trail. Allen County Parks recently received DNR funds to build the 8′ spur into the center of the park and has hired contractors to complete the final design. The Governor has provided $3.3 million dollars for the construction of this project.

Design and Engineering is completed for the entire 4.3-mile stretch of trail. The trail will also include a new trailhead just north of Shoaff Rd and a turn-around loop and rest area at Fitch Rd.

Paving is complete and restoration will be finalized in the spring of 2024

Updated: February 2024

Pufferbelly Trail –Ludwig Road to Washington Center Road (.95mi)

Project Status


Completed Phases:              

THIS PROJECT IS COMPLETE

Project Owner: City of Fort Wayne

Fort Wayne Trails Activities: This section of the Pufferbelly Trail was funded in part through a Regional Cities Initiative grant. Fort Wayne Trails advocated for this project and partnered with the City of Fort Wayne to apply for these funds. This project has been completed.

Updated: November 2018

Pufferbelly Trail – State Boulevard to Fernhill Drive, Trail Spur to Franke Park (1.6mi)

Project Status


Completed Phases:             

THIS PROJECT IS COMPLETE

Project Owner: City of Fort Wayne

Fort Wayne Trails Activities: This section of the Pufferbelly Trail was funded in part through a $100,000 donation from Fort Wayne Trails, the City of Fort Wayne, and the Federal Government. This trail project has been completed.

Updated: May 2018

Six-Mile Creek Trail – Tillman Park to LeMar Drive (.93mi)

Project Status


Completed Phases:             

THIS PROJECT IS COMPLETE

Project Owner: City of Fort Wayne,  FWT

Fort Wayne Trails Activities: Fort Wayne Trails identified the Six-Mile Creek Trail early on as an important project for our community, and began raising funds for it a decade ago. For this section, Fort Wayne Trails donated $100,000. Final landscaping and minor construction items are being completed, and the trail is now open to the public. This trail project has been completed.

Updated: October 2018

St. Joe Center Road Trail: Meijer Drive to Chiswell Run and Wheelock Rd Trail from St. Joe Center Rd to Mill Ridge Run [1 mi]

Project Status


Completed Phases:                         

THIS PROJECT IS COMPLETE

Project Owner: City of Fort Wayne

Description: Walk Fort Wayne Project funded with TIF. 10′ wide asphalt trail that will run along the south side of St. Joe Center Road from the existing trail at Meijer Dr. to the sidewalk at Chiswell Run (entrance to Arlington Park). The trail will also extend south along the west side of Wheelock Road from St. Joe Center Road to south of Jefferson Middle School, where it will end at the existing pedestrian road crossing at Mill Ridge Run. Construction is was completed in late 2020.

Updated: January 2020

State Boulevard: Cass to Spy Run [.4 mi]

Project Status


Completed Phases:                         

THIS PROJECT IS COMPLETE

Project Owner: City of Fort Wayne

Description: Road Widening and straightening project that will include a sidewalk, trail and the Pufferbelly Trail Bridge. 8′-10′ wide trail will run from the Pufferbelly Trail to the Rivergreenway on the south side of State. Trail is currently open from Clinton St. to Spy Run Ave. and the Rivergreenway. Phase 2, from Cass St. to Clinton St. will be constructed in 2019 and 2020. Construction has begun. Contractors will work on new retaining walls and the pedestrian bridge for the Pufferbelly Trail through summer, 2020. Trail along State Boulevard will follow, during the summer of 2020. This project was completed in the Fall of 2020.

Updated: January 2021

West Hamilton Road: Vera Cruz to SR 14

Project Status


Completed Phases:             

THIS PROJECT IS COMPLETE

Project Owner: Allen County

Description: The County will replace the W Hamilton Rd. Bridge over the Beal-Taylor Ditch and extend the existing trail from the entrance to the Vera Cruz subdivision (Ridge Crest Crossing) to the new trail on SR 14. Utilities have been relocated and this trail project is now complete.

Updated: December 2018

Woodburn Road Trail

Project Status


Completed Phases:             

Current Phase: This Project is Complete

Project Owner: Woodburn/ NIRCC

Description: 10 ft. trail on the north side of Woodburn Road from Becker Road west 1,380 feet to a mid-block crossing. The trail will replace an existing sidewalk that has a low ADA rating. The project was rebid and the bid was accepted by INDOT and Woodburn. Construction started in November 2022 and continued through December, it will resume in March 2023.

This project is complete.

Updated: February 2024