Laying the Groundwork — VS Engineering surveys the landscape as plans move forward for the Hawpatch Trail, a new multi-use trail aimed at connecting neighborhoods and nature in Topeka. Photo provided by LaGrange County Community Foundation.

News Release

TOPEKA — Exciting progress is underway for the Hawpatch Trail, a proposed 17-mile multi-use trail that will connect Topeka, Millersburg, and Wolcottville.

This transformative project is being led by LaGrange County Trails, with early momentum now turning into tangible action.

LaGrange County Trails has signed a purchase agreement with Norfolk Southern Railroad to acquire the former Wabash Railroad corridor in LaGrange County. Survey work is currently underway by VS Engineering, with the land closing anticipated later this year.

To share the latest updates on the project, LaGrange County Trails invites the public to an open house at 6 p.m. Tuesday, May 20, at the Topeka Fire Station, 180 Crossfire Dr., Topeka.

Attendees will have the opportunity to view trail maps, ask questions, and learn how the Hawpatch Trail will benefit local communities — promoting outdoor recreation, enhancing connectivity, and offering a safer route for transportation in the Topeka area.

“The Hawpatch Trail is gaining momentum, and this open house is a great opportunity for the community to see what’s coming next,” said Jeff Wingstrom, President of LaGrange County Trails. “We invite residents, families, and trail enthusiasts to stop by, ask questions, and get involved as we move forward with this exciting project.”

Behind the scenes, members of the LaGrange County Trails are working diligently to bring the Hawpatch Trail to life — engaging with private landowners, participating in community meetings, gathering engineering proposals and raising awareness about this transformative project.

To support the effort, the LaGrange County Community Foundation has secured two major grants from Lilly Endowment through the Giving Indiana Funds for Tomorrow Initiative: a $225,000 matching grant to double the impact of local donations in which the match must be met by December 2025 and a $5 million project grant to support trail design and construction of phases one and two of the project.

Community support is critical to the trail’s success. You can help move the project forward by making a tax-deductible donation by mail to the LaGrange County Community Foundation, 0045 N. 250W, LaGrange, IN 46761 and write “Hawpatch Trail” in the memo line or go online and visit LCCF.net and select the” Hawpatch Trail Fund.”

For more information, visit LaGrangeCountyTrails.org or contact the LaGrange County Community Foundation at (260) 463-4363.