VIGO COUNTY, Ind. (WTWO/WAWV) — People in the area can expect to see construction in Bicentennial Park for a trail that will connect the Wabash River to the Wabashiki Walkway.
The trail will be .6 miles long, 10 feet wide, accessible, and made of asphalt which will also include a parking area.
“We wanted to make an extension off the pedestrian connector to connect folks to both the wetlands and the western bank of the Wabash River,” Vigo County Parks and Recreation Department Superintendent Adam Grossman explained.
After seeing the frequent use of the connecting trail between Terre Haute and West Terre Haute the Vigo County Parks and Recreation Department is looking to continue to expand options for pedestrians.
“With the extreme proximity to downtown Terre Haute hotels and destinations, this is an added opportunity for folks to bike, hike, and walk along the Wabashiki wetlands and the Wabash River,” Grossman explained. The 0.6-mile long trail construction is slated for completion by Mid-August. A few remaining amenities will be added thereafter by the Vigo County Parks and Recreation Department.
The new trail was funded through a Recreational Trails Program grant opportunity by the Indiana Department of Natural Resources. The grant totaled $168,000 and was an 80/20 match, with 80% provided by the state funds. However, since the project was originally quoted, inflation has increased drastically. The Vigo County Parks and Recreation Department found that they were short approximately $137,000 to complete the project, so the Vigo County Health Department stepped in with funding as a collaboration that helps to promote outdoor activity.
“There are 92 counties in Indiana. Vigo County is 72nd in the state for health and wellness. We’re glad our two departments could see how this would mutually benefit everyone’s health in Vigo County,” Grossman explained.
