Trail Network Grants

Trails do more than connect places—they connect people. The Community Foundation of Elkhart County is proud to support Pumpkinvine Trails Coalition, a long-term effort to create a safer, more walkable, and bike-friendly region.

This countywide initiative builds on the success of the Pumpkinvine Nature Trail, a 17-mile greenway stretching from Goshen to Shipshewana. In the 1990s, volunteers started building a path on a former railroad bed and over the years the Pumpkinvine became one of Indiana’s most well-loved trails. In 2023, the final segment was completed, thanks to the dedication of the Friends of the Pumpkinvine and many partners—an important milestone for trail users and supporters alike.

Building on that momentum, the Community Foundation partnered with the Friends of the Pumpkinvine and local leaders in 2022 to help launch Connect in Elkhart County, a countywide trail master plan. This plan supports stronger links between neighborhoods, parks, schools, towns, and regional trail systems and is the map for the coalition’s work over the coming years.

Pumpkinvine Trails Coalition is about more than recreation. It’s about:

• Supporting public health by encouraging outdoor activity
• Enhancing quality of life and economic opportunity
• Creating safe, accessible paths for all ages and abilities
• Promoting environmental care through green infrastructure
• Strengthening the sense of connection across communities

As this work continues, the focus includes building trails that extend beyond county lines—supporting wider connections across northern Indiana and into southern Michigan.

This effort is possible because of thoughtful collaboration among donors, municipalities, planners, and volunteers. Each new segment is designed with the future in mind. Together, we’re creating more than pathways—we’re investing in places where people can connect and communities can grow.

Grants from the coalition could cover:

• Trail amenities (bike repair stations, restrooms, shade, seating)
• Improved signage and trailhead access
• Beautification projects
• Funding for key connections between trails and communities
• Support for trail-related events