New river path
to link New Haven, Fort Wayne
By Kenya Woodard - The Journal Gazette
Fort Wayne and New Haven park officials broke ground Sunday on a
project that will link the two cities by a greenway path.
The New Haven Greenway, a 10-foot-wide asphalt path that will
include some boardwalks, will be almost 3 miles long and travel
along Trier Creek and the Maumee River when it is completed by
next summer, said New Haven Parks and Recreation Director Ken
Wilkinson.
The trail will begin at the eastern end of the Fort Wayne
Rivergreenway at North River Road, and include a trail spur
leading to the main entrance to Kreager Park. The path will
continue east along the Maumee River to Landin Road in New Haven
at Jaycee Park, then south across the Landin Road Bridge and
along Trier Ditch to Rose Avenue, then east along Rose Avenue to
Rufus Street.
| The new river path
will also connect two New Haven parks, Havenhurst and
Moser. The $1.7 million project is financed by a grant
from the Indiana Department of Transportation, Wilkinson
said. |
 |
| The trail will give
residents more opportunities for recreation and fun and
allow bikers and skaters to travel between the two
cities safely. |
|
Cathie Rowand/The Journal Gazette |
|
Scott and Diane Allen walk through the area of
the future New Haven Greenway during a
ground-breaking ceremony. Scott Allen of GAI
Consultants designed the trail. |
|
“I know people
will appreciate being out in the outdoors,” he said. “They know
they’re safe. They don’t have to worry about cars.”
New Haven joined Fort Wayne in an effort to improve or construct
greenways. Last month, Fort Wayne Mayor Graham Richard announced
plans to spend $2 million toward Rivergreenway development and
renovations. Future greenway projects in Fort Wayne include new
trails in Aboite Township, Shoaff Park and northwest Allen
County that extend to the county line, said Fort Wayne Parks
Director Dianne Hoover.
With the trail linking New Haven to the same road that winds
through Foster, Tillman and Johnny Appleseed parks in Fort
Wayne, the area will be a popular spot for recreation
activities, Hoover said.
Construction is buzzing along for the new trail just north of
Jefferson Boulevard that will connect Swinney and Rockhill
parks.
Marilyn and Chuck Bash, who regularly bike on the Rivergreenway
trail, are excited that the New Haven Trail will be near their
Georgetown-area home.
“It will be tremendous for people in our area,” Chuck Bash said.
“People will be able to get on rural roads without going on city
streets.”
