FRANKFORT, IN — September 17, 2016 – Approximately 65 community members gathered for the recent “Let’s Talk Trails” event to learn more about plans for a new 2½-mile trail that will connect neighborhoods, parks, community amenities and nature areas throughout Frankfort.
Lorra Archibald, Executive Director of Healthy Communities, and Rick Gunyon, Chair of Friends of Clinton County Trails, provided an informative presentation outlining the vision for the trail and the work completed to date. A video showing the proposed trail route and anticipated uses of the area gave those attending an opportunity to visualize the project and the many community assets that could be connected by one continuous route.
Kimberly Black, Community Development Director for the City of Frankfort, also shared early data from the city’s strategic plan survey currently underway. Preliminary responses show strong positive interest in the addition and expansion of trails within the city. Residents who have not yet participated in the strategic plan survey are encouraged to make their voices heard by using the QR code included with this release. The trail project has benefited from early support and leadership from Mayor Judy Sheets and the City of Frankfort. The City provided an initial $25,000 earmarked for trail development, helping move the vision from an idea toward reality. The City’s current comprehensive planning process is also giving residents an opportunity to help shape Frankfort’s future, with those early survey responses showing strong interest in additional trails and connectivity throughout the community as reported by Kimberly Black.
Beginning near downtown Frankfort, walkers and bicyclists will be able to follow the existing multi-use path/sidewalk toward the Milky Way area and connect with the new trail. From there, the route will travel through TPA Park, providing access to its many amenities, including restrooms, the caboose, historic log cabin and children’s playground.
The trail will continue toward the Humane Society area, where walkers might even have an opportunity to take a shelter dog along for part of their walk. After crossing the creek, the route will connect with Wesley Manor property before continuing toward the Frankfort Lagoons and Nature Preserve.
One trail. Two and a half miles. So many parts of our community connected.
Questions and comments from those attending were welcomed throughout the evening. Among the topics discussed were potential effects on the local deer population and concerns from several residents about how the trail could change the character and privacy of the area behind homes on the north end of Burlington Avenue just before the City Street Department service drive.
Committee members continued those conversations individually with concerned residents following the presentation. The committee plans to reach out directly to residents along that portion of the proposed route, keep them informed as planning progresses and keep their concerns at the forefront as reasonable solutions are explored.
The evening also generated new enthusiasm for the project. A young man attending the meeting expressed interest in developing an Eagle Scout project along the trail and will prepare an idea to share with the committee. Several other attendees asked about joining the trail committee and becoming involved in the project.
Committee member Larry Price also presented information about funding opportunities. While some funding has already been identified and additional grants will be pursued, private community support will be an important part of bringing the trail to completion.
Families, individuals and businesses will have opportunities to support the project, including potential naming rights for sections of the trail and sponsorships for amenities such as benches, signage, bike racks and other trail features.
Those interested in supporting the trail project may donate using the trail donation QR codeincluded with this release.
Final planning and fundraising will continue in the coming months, with the goal of beginning construction in the spring.
The strong turnout for “Let’s Talk Trails,” the early feedback being received through the city’s strategic planning process, and the willingness of residents to become involved all point to the value of continuing this community conversation.
The vision is to create more than a recreational path. It is an opportunity to connect people with parks, neighborhoods, community organizations, downtown Frankfort and some of our community’s most unique natural and historic resources.
Two QR codes are included:
Take the City of Frankfort Strategic Plan Survey — Share Your Voice
Support the Trail — Help Build the Connection