March 2012

Grants Received for Trail Extension West from Coatesville - Mar 2012

The Vandalia Trail has received three grants this winter to launch new trail development on the west side of Coatesville to connect with existing and developing trail in Putnam County. From the Hendricks County Community Foundation , the Deedee Daniel Opportunity Fund and the Benson Fund have each granted $2,000. Also, the Central Indiana Bicycling Association Foundation has granted $2,500. Friends of the Vandalia Trail and National Road Heritage Trail, Inc (NRHT, Inc) greatly appreciate the generosity of these foundations in helping fund this project to connect Hendricks County and Putnam County trails, leading to the near term objective of a continuous 12-mile trail between Amo and Greencastle and creating a key link in the larger cross-state NRHT initiative.

Construction will begin this Spring on this 1.1-mile bicycle/pedestrian/equestrian trail section from Mill Street in Coatesville to CR 875 E in Putnam County. The bicycle/pedestrian trail will have a 10-foot wide smooth packed stone surface installed near the center of the corridor. The equestrian trail will have a mostly natural surface routed along the south side of the bicycle/pedestrian trail.

This trail expansion project also marks the transition of financial management of trail funds from Hendricks County Trail Development Association (HCTDA) to NRHT, Inc. HCTDA has generously provided 501(c)(3) support to Friends of the Vandalia Trail and NRHT, Inc for the Vandalia Trail since late 2005. NRHT, Inc now has IRS 501(c)(3) status, thus allowing it to receive grants from foundations and some government agencies and to receive tax-deductible private donations.

Friends of the Vandalia Trail and People Pathways (Putnam County) are collaborating on completing the Coatesville to Fillmore trail connection in the near future. Through NRHT, Inc, we have applied for and are applying for a number of other grants to fund this overall connection. We look forward to providing you news on these other opportunities in the coming months.