Pumpkinvine Trails Coalition Builds On Connect In Elkhart County
You will often see families enjoying a sunny afternoon biking, strolling, or simply taking in the scenery on Elkhart County’s trails. And in the early morning dawn, many weekday commuters frequent the same paths. More than 250,000 trips like these are made annually, according to Michiana Council of Government’s trail usage counters.
The Connect in Elkhart County stakeholders are working hard to build a world-class network of trails that connect our communities. In 2022, representatives from across the county gathered to put their mark on a developing county-wide trails master plan. Residents, health sector leaders, urban planners, engineers and many others engaged in a process that produced the plan we now call: Connect in Elkhart County.
Later that year, with a plan vetted by the community, the Community Foundation hired Brittany Short as director for the initiative and convened a steering committee to strategically plan next steps. The committee determined that a plan of this magnitude needed staff to operationalize, and that the foundation should take the lead in establishing that structure.
Now, several years later, a coalition made up of governmental partners, nonprofits and residents is emerging in order to build out and advocate for this vision. A key partner — the Friends of the Pumpkinvine Nature Trail — is reorganizing and reinventing itself to align with the Connect plan. The timing is fortuitous as the organization just completed its final development project on the 17-mile trail that connects Shipshewana, Goshen and Middlebury. The Pumpkinvine Nature Trail is the backbone of the county’s trail network and the namesake of the evolving coalition.
Horse-and-buggies and bicycles share roadways with motorized vehicles, but the Pumpkinvine Trails Coalition is working to connect and create more trails as safe pathways free of motorized vehicles.
An interlaced operating entity called the Pumpkinvine Trails Coalition has a board of directors guiding the evolution and execution of the plan. The board features representatives from Friends of the Pumpkinvine Nature Trail, community members, and both the Community Foundation’s Board and Placemaking Committee. “It’s exciting to see entities and organizations that wouldn’t normally work together, coming together and making breakthroughs around this vision,” says Short, adding that the collaboration is unprecedented.
Founders, volunteers, and partners who helped start and complete the Pumpkinvine Nature Trail gathered to celebrate in June.
Over the last two years the initiative’s impact can be seen through hard-earned successes in trail development, fundraising and event participation. When work began in 2022, there were 68 miles of multi-use paths in Elkhart County. That number has now grown to 71, not including a mile of River Mill Trail likely to be done in Middlebury this season. Plans for another 13.5 miles of new trail are underway. Included in that figure is a six-mile trail from Wakarusa to Nappanee which will eventually provide a safe route for student travel to Wa-Nee schools. “Having a connected community is good for everyone,” says Short. ”A strongly connected trail network means that kids can safely ride or walk to school and those without access to a reliable vehicle or who can’t obtain a driver’s license can get where they need to go. We’re really focusing on building better recreation and transportation options for residents, while also creating incredible opportunities for economic development.” A trail that will connect downtown Elkhart to Mishawaka is also being planned with support from a federal grant.
Elkhart County has idyllic country settings for some of its trails.
Additionally 1.8 miles of Pumpkinvine Nature Trail, the only crushed limestone section in the network, is being paved later this fall. This unique collaboration between governmental and nonprofit entities saved both donors and taxpayers hundreds of thousands of dollars off the original price tag.
In addition to trail development, the coalition is also focused on encouraging trail usage through marketing, communications, and events. Various volunteer groups organize events to highlight existing trails and fundraise for advocacy and development activities. During a ceremony honoring the completion of the Pumpkinvine, Goshen Mayor Gina Liechty emphasized the trail’s role as an economic driver.
“What was once a highly controversial initiative has now become a model that communities across the state and nation would love to have. This success is the result of a grassroots effort by a dedicated group of people who, through years of persistence and countless hours of volunteer service, made this vision a reality,” she said. These events garnered substantial contributions, showcasing the community’s commitment to this cause.
Regionally, Elkhart County is setting the bar for collaboration and creativity around the development of bike and pedestrian pathways. The coalition’s dedication to creating a vibrant, accessible place for everyone is tangible. But these efforts go beyond building physical paths; they create connections across the community, linking neighbors, enhancing quality of life, and paving the way for a more connected future. Through this initiative, the community is investing in a legacy of togetherness and civic pride that will last generations.
This story appeared in the 2024 Annual Report.
