Ft Wayne Times

August 5, 2024 - Today, Mayor Sharon Tucker joined Fort Wayne Trails, the Indiana Department of Natural Resources, residents and business owners, along with the City’s Public Works Division, to mark the beginning of construction of the Pufferbelly Trail from Ice Way to Washington Center Road. This project represents an investment exceeding $3 million.

This 1.7-mile phase of the Pufferbelly Trail will feature a 12-foot wide asphalt trail providing connectivity to nearly 700 businesses, retail areas, restaurants, and entertainment venues such as Glenbrook Square Mall, Glenbrook Commons, SportONE Parkview Fieldhouse, and SportONE Parkview Icehouse.

The project will include a trail hub rest area, a pavilion, a new intersection and mid-block crossing signalization, a bike repair station, park benches and picnic tables, drinking water fountains, landscaping, and other amenities.

Designed for accessibility for all abilities in compliance with ADA and PROWAG requirements, the trail will feature driveway crossings with transitions and ADA curb ramps at street crossings. Accessible Pedestrian Signals (APS) will be installed at all signalized intersections. Concrete pads for park benches will be constructed large enough to accommodate wheelchairs next to them.

The City of Fort Wayne received nearly $2.7 million from the State of Indiana's Next Level Trails grant for this project. Fort Wayne Trails will contribute $300,000 in donor funds.

Completion of this section is expected by fall 2025.

As part of the Pufferbelly Trail project, the previously announced Vann Family Crossing will be a bridge over Coliseum Boulevard/State Road 930. The Vann Family Foundation provided a $5 million gift to assist in funding this future bridge. The bridge aims to provide safe passage over one of Fort Wayne's busiest roads with daily traffic counts reaching 37,575 vehicles per day. Construction is anticipated in 2026 pending necessary approvals.

The trail and bridge will connect 130 miles of existing trails in the greater Fort Wayne area. The Pufferbelly Trail is part of the larger 81-mile Poka-Bache Connector trail from Pokagon State Park in Angola to Ouabache State Park in Bluffton; currently about 60% complete or funded.

“Trails provide a great way for residents and visitors to enjoy all that Fort Wayne and northeast Indiana have to offer,” said Mayor Tucker. “I’m encouraged that we’re able to continue to grow our network through collaborations that are making a positive difference. The State of Indiana was a key partner in ensuring that this section of the Pufferbelly Trail was able to be constructed. The best days are ahead for our greenways and trails.”

“Next Level Trails, which is Indiana’s largest-ever investment in trails works to make connections both between and within communities," said Dan Bortner, DNR director. "This extension of the Pufferbelly Trail demonstrates the power of those connections,” he added. “With these 1.7 miles of new trail we’re connecting more people to each other and their community.”