Published: June 03, 2009 09:11 am      

Middlebury portion of trail could begin spring 2010

Plan calls for welcome center/plaza along

MIDDLEBURY — Construction of a phase of the Pumpkinvine recreational trail through Middlebury could begin next spring, according to county officials.

Larry Neff, director of the Elkhart County Parks and Recreation Department, reported to the Town Council Monday on progress on the proposed project to expand the trail in from York Drive east to the Elkhart/LaGrange County Line.

Organizers hope that bids would be advertised no later than November. That would mean construction of the trail would start next spring, Neff said.

Planners intend to construct a visitor’s center or plaza at a rest stop along the Little Elkhart River adjacent to the town hall and Dairy Queen, he said.

The county parks department will maintain the trail.

Neff said that the Middlebury project, known as phase III, has received top priority from the state, qualifying for five grants. Though he did not say how much the grants total or the estimated cost of the project, he did say the town will receive a $900,000  Indiana Trails  grant and a $250,000 Lilly Foundation grant.

Town Attorney Craig Buche told the town council that the Middlebury’s park board will ask for an easement for the project from the town across a small piece of existent town property.