http://nwitimes.com/articles/2004/09/02/news/porter_county/2699533a34ea117186256f02007ac5a1.txt

Chesterton wins $133,000 grant to link trails

This story ran on nwitimes.com on Thursday, September 2, 2004 12:22 AM CDT

CHESTERTON -- Added recreational opportunities, inccreased property values and maybe even an economic boost from shoppers on wheels are some of the anticipated benefits of a hike/bike trail for which the town has won a federal grant.

Chesterton is slated to receive $133,000 in federal funding to construct the first phase of a project linking the county's Prairie Duneland Trail to the west and Coffee Creek Center development to the east. The pathway is to run past the town's Dogwood Park and Chesterton High School.

In addition to bicyclists, the multi-use trail will accommodate pedestrians, joggers and in-line skaters.

The Indiana Department of Natural Resources has selected the project for next year's funding cycle and forwarded the town's grant application to the Federal Highway Administration, which awards the grants. Being selected by the DNR all but guarantees federal approval of the award, Chesterton Economic Development Coordinator Dwayne Williams said.

The first phase of the project, set for construction in spring and summer 2005, will run an 8-foot-wide concrete path from Dogwood Park at 23rd Street to 11th Street along the north side of County Road 1100 North. Dogwood is linked to the Prairie Duneland trailhead at Jackson Park by an existing path along 23rd Street.

Along 1100 North, subdivision developers and Bethlehem Lutheran Church already have begun installing stretches of sidewalk that will be incorporated into the path, Williams said.

Because of tight federal funds, the town will receive less than the $150,000 it sought, Williams said. The town has allocated $45,000 of its 2005 county economic development income tax funds for the project. Williams said he was confident the town would find funding for the balance of $17,000 from CEDIT or other funds.

The last two phases are not funded yet, but Williams said he believes the project has impressed DNR planners to the extent they will probably approve further grant applications from Chesterton in the coming years.

Phase two would continue the trail along the south side of County Road 1100 North adjoining Chesterton High School between 11th and 5th streets.

In the third phase, the trail would return to the north side of 1100 North and continue east to Tamarack subdivision. The trail would turn south along property owned by the town's park department and connect to Laurel Creek Drive. It would go south on County Road 100 East and travel east under Ind. 49 to Coffee Creek along the former Norfolk Southern railroad corridor.

In addition to enhanced aesthetics and recreation, the path could attract some shoppers on bikes from the regional trail to Chesterton's downtown area, Williams said.

He also anticipates property values along the route will increase. He cited a study of the 15-mile long Monon Trail in Indianapolis and Carmel indicating that a majority of trail neighbors perceived increased property value and salability. In the survey, 65 percent of new residents said the trail added to the appeal in their decision to buy along the trail.

Brian Williams can be reached at [email protected] or (219) 462-5151, ext. 348.