Have you ever wanted to ride a bike, skate, run or walk somewhere, but didn't do so because there wasn't a safe, pleasant way to get there? Many citizens around Indiana and across the nation are able to do so via multi-use trails or linear parks. Fortunately for Aboite Township and its near 30,000 citizens, this can become a reality through the leadership efforts of Aboite New Trails, Inc., a non-profit organization whose goal is to promote the expansion of multi-use trails throughout Southwest Allen County. A consolidated community, government, and corporate initiative is critical to making this dream come true. To find out more information or to volunteer, please email us at .

Oprah’s Big Give Fort Wayne Trails Updated April 28, 2008 – Oprah Winfrey gave our local ABC affiliate, Indiana’s News Center, a donation of $10,000 and the challenge to make that money grow, in order to support a program that would benefit as many people as possible. The network chose Aboite New Trails due to its previous successes as well as its dynamic and grassroots nature, and realized the potential to make a significant improvement in Fort Wayne’s quality of life through this partnership. In turn, ANT chose to engage the entire Fort Wayne area by sharing those funds with other local trails organizations. Through generous cash and in-kind donations, combined with the City of Fort Wayne’s dollar for dollar match, ANT and its trails partners were able to raise over $1.1 million dollars for Fort Wayne Trails during this 5-week challenge. The challenge culminated with city-wide trail events on April 12th. At Bike/Walk About Aboite, over 300 trail users and 40 volunteers braved the cold, rainy day to walk or ride with the guided tours. - Photos courtesy Gail Herendeen - Click for larger version - At the same time, ANT’s trails partners hosted these morning events: The Greenway Consortium – Greenway Fun Walk/Run with over 125 participants Northwest Allen Trails – Spring Walk-a-Mile with over 100 participants New Haven/Adams Township Parks and Recreation -Rivergreenway Walk/Ride with over 200 participants The festivities continued with a downtown Fort Wayne celebration hosted by Mayor Henry that afternoon. Over 3,000 people enjoyed free food and music, giveaways, demonstrations, and our special Indianapolis Colts guests: Coach Tony Dungy, “Blue” the mascot, Defensive Backs Bob Sanders, Melvin Bullitt and Brannon Condren, and Defensive End Jeff Charleston. It was a momentous celebration for Fort Wayne and the trails movement. - Photos courtesy Gail Herendeen - Click for larger version -   On Monday, April 21st, TV clips from Fort Wayne’s Big Give aired on the Oprah show – a fitting culmination of events for a City that gave BIGGER than any other City in the nation, and all in support of trails. Across America, 90 ABC affiliates raised a total of 4 million dollars, with Fort Wayne responsible for over 20% of this achievement! Thank you for joining in this effort to give back and give big to Fort Wayne. Due to the funds raised through Oprah’s Big Give Fort Wayne Trails, the development of these trails is moving forward across our communities: The Towpath Trail – Now 85% funded from Rockhill Park to the Lutheran Hospital campus. Covington Rd Trail Phase I, Eggeman to Scott Rds. – Now 20% funded. To complete construction and create the first 10-mile link in the Aboite Trails network, $490,000 is still needed. Lutheran Hospital Campus Loop Trail – The hospital will build the trail segment from Aboite Center Rd. through the campus’ northeast side to connect to the Towpath Trail Hadley and Bass Roads – Funds toward a trail bordering the Lincoln Foods property were pledged by Lincoln Fort Wayne Associates (Click here to see the Aboite New Trails Oprah’s Big Give donor list.)     Fort Wayne Trails Help connect the Aboite Trails with the entire Fort Wayne area! Only 7 miles of gaps in the newly named Fort Wayne Trails network need funding in order to link area residents with a 40-mile contiguous trail network. Find out how you’ll be connected and how you can help at Fort Wayne Trails.   Aboite New Trails announces a $75,000 donation from STAR Financial Bank and partnerships with HPN, Indiana’s NewsCenter and Federated Media for new Fort Wayne Trails campaign   See the Fort Wayne Trails video by Indiana's NewsCenter: Small Version 1MB - 400x300 Large Version 8MB - 640x480