Benefits of Planned Trails
Access: Provides users with a safe, scenic form of recreation and
alternative transportation, connecting northwest neighborhoods, parks,
and businesses such as the Dupont Library, Parkview YMCA and Saloman
Farm park.
Recreation: Provides walking, running, skating, cross-country skiing,
bicycling, and in some areas equestrian useΓÇöallowing people the
opportunity to enjoy nature in a park like setting.
Safe: Based on best practices studied from other greenway systems,
police and volunteer Greenway ΓÇ£RangersΓÇ¥ will regularly watch
and patrol the pathway. Usage will be restricted to non-motorized
use from dawn-to-dusk, and the trails will be designed using proven
crime prevention methods.
Health and Fitness: A safe pathway for self-directed recreational
activities improving quality of life. ΓÇ£The real secret to
fitness is to live in an environment (including pathways) that encourages
it.ΓÇ¥ (Recent Newsweek article).
Economic: Help keep Fort Wayne economically competitive as a destination
for business and tourismΓÇöattracting growth and expandability.
Federal funds are available to pay for up to 80% of the costs involved
in creating these parkways. These funds are specifically marked
for alternative transportation. The remainder of the funds will
be acquired through local grants and donations from businesses and residents.
We are looking to ensure Fort Wayne gets its share of the Federal money
that is available as an investment into the health and livelihood of
our citizens.
Area Studies: Fort WayneΓÇÖs Rivergreenway system was studied by Indiana UniversityΓÇÖs Eppley Institute in 2000, which found strong rates of usership and positive impacts on property values. 75% of trail neighbors and 40% of the overall population had used the trail within the past year. 93% of trail neighbors surveyed also stated that the trail had either increased or had no effect on their property values. The Monon trail in Indianapolis (which is built along an abandoned railroad corridor) was used by more people than attended all of the home games of the Pacers, Colts, Indians, and Ice combined. Indy has also experienced an eight to ten percent increase in property value along their greenways and has also experienced minimal crime and vandalism. Designers believe and studies show that the more users there are, the more eyes and ears there are to observe pathway activityΓÇöuse prevents abuse.