By Rod Rose/The Lebanon Reporter
Lebanon — Seed money grows trails, too.
Richard Stroup, the executive director of Friends of Boone County Trails, told the Lebanon City Council Monday that a $10,000 contribution has prompted other donations.
The council was “really the first group that said yes to this project,” Stroup said.
The Boone County Council has contributed $10,000, and a private estate donated $20,000, Stroup said. With contributions from the Eagle Township Parks Department and Boone REMC, the trails group has about $65,000 of the $100,000 it is trying to raise, Stroup said.
A $150,000 grant from the Indiana Department of Transportation will be used to extend and improve the Keewasakee Trail, Stroup said. The 1-1/2-mile long trail begins near Church and North Park streets, running north to a bridge over Sugar Creek. It will be the prototype for the Farm Heritage Trail, a path that will eventually link Lebanon with Lafayette.
The 28-mile-long trail, for walkers, bicyclists and horsemen, is the first phase of what planners hope will tie Lafayette to Indianapolis, via the Zionsville Rail-Trail and the Michigan Road corridor. Students of Prof. Bernie Dahl, a landscape architect at Purdue University, helped design the trail as a semester project.
The trail group is also working with the Boone County Area Plan Commission, hoping to have the trail included in a comprehensive land use plan now being drafted.
Stroup said the FBCT is in the planning and design phase of the Lebanon-to-Colfax trail segment. It hopes to raise enough money to buy the land to complete that phase. The group started in 2004.
Councilman Dick Robertson urged the council to continue supporting the trail project.
“It’s time that we try to do something as a community to work with Boone County Trails, to be a partner with them,” Robertson said.
“It takes a whole community,” Stroup replied.
Mayor John Lasley said the city “just missed” having enough points to receive a transportation grant for a trail in southeastern Lebanon. Another grant application is due June 6, Lasley said.
ALSO MONDAY:
The council tabled a proposal to spend $25,000 from a $350,000 special projects fund to upgrade Lebanon’s Web site.
Robertson said the Web site would be a powerful economic development tool, offering links for downtown businesses and civic organizations.
“No doubt it would be the premier marketing site,” said Councilman Mike Kincaid. “That’s the goal,” Robertson said.
While Robertson moved to spend the money, Lasley suggested the plan be tabled so it can be reviewed by city attorney Eileen Sims.
“I too think it’s a great opportunity for this community to move forward,” Lasley said. “It’s a great tool for us.”
