April 14, 2016 - This Saturday, community leaders will join trail enthusiasts for a ribbon cutting to commemorate the first trail connection from Waynedale to the Rivergreenway.
Last fall, the City of Fort Wayne completed construction of a new sidewalk along Lower Huntington Road that widens over the bridge crossing the St. Marys River and connects to a new 8-foot-wide trail ramp connecting to the St. Marys Pathway.
Teaming with the City, the Waynedale Trails & Sidewalks Initiative is sponsoring a 6.5-mile bike ride on the trail to Foster Park and a 2-mile walk to Tillman Park beginning at 11 a.m. on Saturday, April 16. The event, Trails Trek at the Point, is supported by the Penguin Point restaurant, where participants will gather prior to the start of the ride and ribbon cutting.
“It’s great to see continued investments in our Rivergreenway system, as we provide connectivity in our community,” said Mayor Henry. “Our first connection into Waynedale is an example of our commitment to ensuring Fort Wayne is moving in the right direction. Providing residents with access points to neighborhoods and business corridors strengthens our ability to enhance quality of life amenities that families and businesses want, as part of a vibrant and attractive City.”
The Waynedale connection offers pedestrians, joggers and bicyclists a safe pathway to Waynedale businesses and Tillman and Foster Park. That’s why Penguin Point teamed up with the Waynedale Trails group to sponsor this event. The restaurant is offering up space for gathering and parking to welcome trail users and this new transportation connection.
The City’s trail network is connecting residents with over 70 miles in the City and another 20 in Allen County. According to the 2013 US Census estimates, 86,247 Fort Wayne residents are now within a half mile of a trail.
Statistics for the first quarter of 2016 show continued growth in trail usage. For the first three months of 2016, from the City’s infrared counters, shows an increase of 14,000 trail users compared to 2015.
Coming this year
Renaissance Point Trail extension to YMCA on Bowser Avenue is under construction.
Construction on a trail, combined with street improvements, will begin next week on McKinnie Avenue between South Anthony Boulevard and Hessen Cassel Road.
Later this month, a contract will be awarded for the Illinois Road Trail that will connect many businesses between Reckeweg Road and Magnavox Way. The trail will be completed this fall.
Covington Road trail extension from Beal-Taylor Ditch to West Hamilton Road. The trail will be completed this fall.
Liberty Mills Road Trail - the trail will be completed this fall.
Dupont Road Trail west of Auburn Road. The trail will be completed this fall.