Rendering of the East Market Street Trail

By TIM DOMBROSKY
Assistant City Planner, City of Warsaw

Last year the board of directors of K21 Health Foundation approved a major investment in the Community Ride+Walk movement with a 3-1 matching grant of $375,000. The funds were to be used to redesign Market Street with a world class trail, encouraging local donations knowing that every dollar contributed would turn into four.

In the last year, over $147,000 has been raised by the local community. Fifty-six percent of this match was raised directly by private donors!

We are excited to help start a new chapter in the life cycle of the street, one that is safe and comfortable for drivers, bikes, walkers, disabled users, and residents. With partners like Orthoworx, The Bowen Center, KCV Cycling Club, and numerous generous individuals, this trail project is moving ahead full steam.

The project is part of the community’s effort to encourage healthy lifestyles by providing safe and convenient routes for recreation and active transportation.

The Market Street Trail will strengthen connections between the Town of Winona Lake, Downtown Warsaw, Market Street Neighbors and three parks. This will also connect the Heritage Trail, Beyer Farm Trail, and Chinworth Bridge Trail with a cross town backbone and become the center of the trail system; indirectly connecting every trail and many more schools, parks, and homes, and greatly improving quality of life and place.

About The East Market Street Project

East Market Phase 1, from Argonne Road to Bronson Street, will see major construction this year. The street has suffered years of heavy wear from trucks, large trees and hard winters. The street rehabilitation project includes street redesign, a 10-foot multi-use trail, new sidewalks, and new street trees. Phase 2 will continue the project to Downtown with the help of a state grant.

In 2012, the Ride+Walk Master Plan established a network to be completed. Since then, trails on Lincoln, West Center, and Winona Avenue have been built, as well as the Krebs Trailhead Park and a trailhead at Roy Street.

Trails benefit those who use them by allowing healthy lifestyle choices. Everyone benefits from fewer cars on the road and less pollution. Trails also reduce accidents by raising awareness and lowering car speeds.

“Ride+Walk Warsaw+Winona Lake” is an advisory committee formed to unify efforts by the city, town, county, and community. Visit ridewalk.com to find out more.

For more information on the trail or Ride+Walk Warsaw+Winona Lake efforts, contact Tim Dombrosky at (574) 372-9550, or visit ridewalk.com