Posted on June 16, 2018
Author Michael Gallenberger, WKVI
The North Judson Erie Trail will remain under the control of the Hoosier Valley Railroad Museum for the foreseeable future. The Starke County Park Board had approached the museum’s leaders about leasing the trail and operating it as a park facility. County officials hoped the lease would help reduce maintenance costs, increase grant opportunities, and encourage volunteers.
But during Tuesday’s park board meeting, President Roger Chaffins said the museum has declined the county’s proposed contract. “Their problem is they don’t want to get hooked up with the county right now because they say they’re working on a five-year plan,” Chaffins said. “Well, okay, that’s what your board wants to do, but myself, I feel that if you were hooked up with the county, it’d be better for your five-year plan. But I’m not arguing with them. That’s what I was told on that.”
The trail lease was first proposed in the park board’s five-year plan. The idea has also gotten the support of volunteers with the Prairie Trails Club.
Showing posts with label North Judson Erie Trail. Show all posts
Showing posts with label North Judson Erie Trail. Show all posts
Monday, June 18, 2018
Friday, March 16, 2018
Hoosier Valley Railroad Museum May Consider Leasing Erie Trail to Starke County
Posted on March 16, 2018
Author Michael Gallenberger, WKVI
Bringing the North Judson Erie Trail under Starke County’s control is something the Hoosier Valley Railroad Museum might be willing to consider. The museum owns the trail, but Starke County’s five-year park plan suggests that the county lease it and operate it as a park facility. Starke County Park Board President Roger Chaffins said Tuesday that he spoke with the museum’s president, Cory Bennett, and Bennett seemed open to resuming discussions.
Turning control of the trail over to the county would accomplish a few things. It may possibly allow the trail to be added into the county’s road inventory, allowing the county to take over maintenance. Members of the Prairie Trails Club say it could also make it easier to get grant funding and encourage people to volunteer.
There’s also the possibility that the county could save the museum money by taking over the trail’s insurance, but Chaffins said that wasn’t a big concern for the museum. “He said, ‘We’re really not too worried about the insurance because our insurance is a blanket insurance, which covers that trail, so we’re not too worried about that. What we’re concerned more about is maintenance and upkeep of it.’ Well, I said, ‘I don’t think that would be any problem.'”
County Attorney Marty Lucas has put together a proposed agreement, based on some of the suggestions that have been made. Chaffins said it will be given to the Hoosier Valley Railroad Museum’s board of directors for their consideration. “It’s a rough draft,” Chaffins explained, “but if they’re interested and they like what it is, then we get together and we get it worked out, which I don’t see any problem talking to Cory, of having any problem whatsoever working it out, because they’d be happy, I think, to work with it.”
Discussions between the park board and the Hoosier Valley Railroad Museum began last year, but little progress was made for several months.
Author Michael Gallenberger, WKVI
Bringing the North Judson Erie Trail under Starke County’s control is something the Hoosier Valley Railroad Museum might be willing to consider. The museum owns the trail, but Starke County’s five-year park plan suggests that the county lease it and operate it as a park facility. Starke County Park Board President Roger Chaffins said Tuesday that he spoke with the museum’s president, Cory Bennett, and Bennett seemed open to resuming discussions.
Turning control of the trail over to the county would accomplish a few things. It may possibly allow the trail to be added into the county’s road inventory, allowing the county to take over maintenance. Members of the Prairie Trails Club say it could also make it easier to get grant funding and encourage people to volunteer.
There’s also the possibility that the county could save the museum money by taking over the trail’s insurance, but Chaffins said that wasn’t a big concern for the museum. “He said, ‘We’re really not too worried about the insurance because our insurance is a blanket insurance, which covers that trail, so we’re not too worried about that. What we’re concerned more about is maintenance and upkeep of it.’ Well, I said, ‘I don’t think that would be any problem.'”
County Attorney Marty Lucas has put together a proposed agreement, based on some of the suggestions that have been made. Chaffins said it will be given to the Hoosier Valley Railroad Museum’s board of directors for their consideration. “It’s a rough draft,” Chaffins explained, “but if they’re interested and they like what it is, then we get together and we get it worked out, which I don’t see any problem talking to Cory, of having any problem whatsoever working it out, because they’d be happy, I think, to work with it.”
Discussions between the park board and the Hoosier Valley Railroad Museum began last year, but little progress was made for several months.
Tuesday, November 7, 2017
NJ Town Council Approves Signage for Prairie Trails Club
Posted on November 7, 2017
Author Jacque Ryan, WKVI
The North Judson Town Council received a request on behalf of the Prairie Trail Club (PTC) to install signage at the intersection of State Road 10 and State Road 39 during their meeting yesterday evening.
Peggy Bohac spoke as a liaison for Steve Lucas, the president of the PTC, and explained that the club had expressed interest in putting a sign up by Norwayne Field to alert people of where to find the trail. The trail in question is the North Judson Erie Trail which is part of the transcontinental American Discovery Trail. It was utilized for the 5K Color Run this summer.
She said that representatives with the Hoosier Valley Railway Museum have reported that many people come to the museum looking for the trail and often times the staff there is unaware of how to direct individuals.
In order to save time for the museum employees as well as travelers wishing to utilize the trail, PTC representatives proposed installing signage to clear up any confusion. Bohac went onto say that signs could also be installed along the trail in to alert cyclists of the available restaurants and other potential pit stops within the town.
The request received unanimous council approval. Bohac said she would also approach the Park Board with the same request, in order to make sure that all involved parties are informed of the decision.
Author Jacque Ryan, WKVI
The North Judson Town Council received a request on behalf of the Prairie Trail Club (PTC) to install signage at the intersection of State Road 10 and State Road 39 during their meeting yesterday evening.
Peggy Bohac spoke as a liaison for Steve Lucas, the president of the PTC, and explained that the club had expressed interest in putting a sign up by Norwayne Field to alert people of where to find the trail. The trail in question is the North Judson Erie Trail which is part of the transcontinental American Discovery Trail. It was utilized for the 5K Color Run this summer.
She said that representatives with the Hoosier Valley Railway Museum have reported that many people come to the museum looking for the trail and often times the staff there is unaware of how to direct individuals.
In order to save time for the museum employees as well as travelers wishing to utilize the trail, PTC representatives proposed installing signage to clear up any confusion. Bohac went onto say that signs could also be installed along the trail in to alert cyclists of the available restaurants and other potential pit stops within the town.
The request received unanimous council approval. Bohac said she would also approach the Park Board with the same request, in order to make sure that all involved parties are informed of the decision.
Wednesday, October 11, 2017
Friday, April 28, 2017
Take The Erie Trail to Open Sky
Founded in 2010, the Prairie Trails Club, Inc., is a non-profit organization dedicated to develop, manage and maintain the Erie Trail in North Judson and Monterey Indiana.
The North Judson Erie Trail is a free access, public multi-use path and greenway mostly located in southern Starke County, Indiana. Nine miles of paved trail extend eastward from the town of North Judson to U.S. 35 near Bass Lake. A shorter paved section has been completed in the town of Monterey to the east in Pulaski County. Motor vehicles are prohibited. The route is fully paved and intended for hiking and bicycling; a separate, unpaved, equestrian trail for horseback riding shares the corridor from Starke County Road 100 West to U.S. 35.
Centered on the rail banked right-of-way of the former Erie JK Line, much of the North Judson Erie Trail is elevated offering an excellent view of the unspoiled countryside of the Kankakee sand country, and though you’ll see some of the rich farmland for which Indiana is justly famous, the landscapes are often more natural and quite varied — groves of oaks, prairies, and marshlands. The level rail bed makes for easy hiking and cycling.
The North Judson Erie Trail is part of the transcontinental American Discovery Trail, extending from the Atlantic Ocean in Delaware to the Pacific Coast at Point Reyes in northern California.
Rules of the Trail
- The trail is open for everyone's use and enjoyment.
- Closed from dusk to dawn.
- Non-motorized use only - unauthorized motor vehicles prohibited.
- Do not trespass on adjoining property
- Obey stop signs.
- Ride or walk on the right side of the trail.
- Other trail users must yield to pedestrians. Warn trail users as you approach from behind ie: "On your left"
- Helmets recommended
- Take only pictures; leave only footprints - pack out your trash.
- Pets are welcome if kept on a leash and in control.
- Horses are welcome on the designated horse trail. Please do not ride horses on the asphalt.
- Report problems to Starke County Sheriff's Department - 574-772-3771. Use 911 for emergencies.
North Judson Erie Trail, Starke County, Indiana www.prairietrailsclub.org
Dedicated to public access trails and greenways in rural northern Indiana.
Wednesday, February 15, 2017
Starke County Park Board Unveils Five-Year Plan
Posted on February 15, 2017
Author Michael Gallenberger, WKVI
Starke County residents got a look at the future of the county’s park facilities Tuesday. Mike Reese with the Troyer Group presented the county’s five-year park plan during Tuesday’s County Park Board meeting.
He said one general goal is simply to raise awareness of the county’s parks. “Most people know of Bass Lake Beach and Campground,” he noted. “A lot of people, we found, did not know of the Starke County Forest, as well as some of the other properties and Yellow River access sites that are even in existence. So developing an awareness, creating a presence on social media because so many people use that now, having a parks Facebook where you can provide updates to people.”
The plan also calls for unifying signage, both to direct people to the county’s parks and also to help them find their way around once they’re there. A programs and activities calendar may be developed, as well.
Several upgrades are also suggested for the individual parks. For the Starke County Forest, the plan recommends improvements to the trails and parking lot, as well as the installation of a picnic pavilion and restrooms. Meanwhile, the North Judson Erie Trail would be taken over by the county, which would work with the Prairie Trails Club to make various upgrades.
The plan also calls for the county to make better use of its Yellow River access sites at Range Road and English Lake. Reese noted that various types of funding are available from the Indiana Department of Natural Resources for kayak and canoe launches. Long-range plans call for the improvement of beaches at Koontz Lake.
However, much of Tuesday’s discussion centered around the Bass Lake Beach and Campground. Reese said the first goal is to bring the facility up to code, especially when it comes to ADA compliance. At the same time, the plan also lists several improvements on its longer-range wish list. “Some of the things that came up were improving the curb appeal, adding amenities such as drinking fountains and benches,” he said. “A very important one was improving the beach. The sand is not nearly as nice as it was before, so bringing in more sand and improving the condition of the beach for people to be able to use it. The playgrounds need new equipment.”
One challenge, though, is that the county does not have direct control over the Beach and Campground. Instead, it leases it to Callahan Development, LLC. To what extent Callahan will work with the county to improve the property remains to be seen.
On top of that, Starke County lacks an actual park department or park budget. Reese says that puts a limit on what can be accomplished, “As these properties become improved and there’s more opportunities for the public to use this and the park board’s involvement, actually getting a park department with a staff that would be responsible for maintaining these sites, and they could work to not only operate and manage these sites but work to acquire funding and manage the process of growing the park system.”
Starke County’s five-year park plan must be approved by the Indiana Department of Natural Resources for the county to be eligible for DNR grants. The DNR is expected to review a draft of Starke County’s plan this week and provide suggestions. The park board will then consider adopting the final version of the plan in March, before it gets sent back to the DNR in April. If it gets final approval, Starke County will be able to apply for grants later this year.
Author Michael Gallenberger, WKVI
Starke County residents got a look at the future of the county’s park facilities Tuesday. Mike Reese with the Troyer Group presented the county’s five-year park plan during Tuesday’s County Park Board meeting.
He said one general goal is simply to raise awareness of the county’s parks. “Most people know of Bass Lake Beach and Campground,” he noted. “A lot of people, we found, did not know of the Starke County Forest, as well as some of the other properties and Yellow River access sites that are even in existence. So developing an awareness, creating a presence on social media because so many people use that now, having a parks Facebook where you can provide updates to people.”
The plan also calls for unifying signage, both to direct people to the county’s parks and also to help them find their way around once they’re there. A programs and activities calendar may be developed, as well.
Several upgrades are also suggested for the individual parks. For the Starke County Forest, the plan recommends improvements to the trails and parking lot, as well as the installation of a picnic pavilion and restrooms. Meanwhile, the North Judson Erie Trail would be taken over by the county, which would work with the Prairie Trails Club to make various upgrades.
The plan also calls for the county to make better use of its Yellow River access sites at Range Road and English Lake. Reese noted that various types of funding are available from the Indiana Department of Natural Resources for kayak and canoe launches. Long-range plans call for the improvement of beaches at Koontz Lake.
However, much of Tuesday’s discussion centered around the Bass Lake Beach and Campground. Reese said the first goal is to bring the facility up to code, especially when it comes to ADA compliance. At the same time, the plan also lists several improvements on its longer-range wish list. “Some of the things that came up were improving the curb appeal, adding amenities such as drinking fountains and benches,” he said. “A very important one was improving the beach. The sand is not nearly as nice as it was before, so bringing in more sand and improving the condition of the beach for people to be able to use it. The playgrounds need new equipment.”
One challenge, though, is that the county does not have direct control over the Beach and Campground. Instead, it leases it to Callahan Development, LLC. To what extent Callahan will work with the county to improve the property remains to be seen.
On top of that, Starke County lacks an actual park department or park budget. Reese says that puts a limit on what can be accomplished, “As these properties become improved and there’s more opportunities for the public to use this and the park board’s involvement, actually getting a park department with a staff that would be responsible for maintaining these sites, and they could work to not only operate and manage these sites but work to acquire funding and manage the process of growing the park system.”
Starke County’s five-year park plan must be approved by the Indiana Department of Natural Resources for the county to be eligible for DNR grants. The DNR is expected to review a draft of Starke County’s plan this week and provide suggestions. The park board will then consider adopting the final version of the plan in March, before it gets sent back to the DNR in April. If it gets final approval, Starke County will be able to apply for grants later this year.
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