Published: May 22, 2009 10:59 pm         

Public comment being accepted on first pedestrian trail project in WTH

TERRE HAUTE — The state’s largest fish and wildlife area near a metropolitan center could one day sit along the western bank of the Wabash River in Vigo County.

Public comments now are being accepted on the proposed West Vigo Levee Trail Project as planned by the Vigo County Parks Department.

Federal funds have been requested through the Recreational Trails Program, and would total $132,000, including local matching funds to develop the first pedestrian trail project in West Terre Haute.

Parks superintendent Keith Ruble presented the project to the West Terre Haute Town Council at its April 20 and May 11 sessions, and about 60 people attended and gave helpful comments at the second meeting. But additional public comment is welcome, and may be sent to the county parks department at 155 Oak St., Terre Haute, 47807.

The full project is known as the Wabashiki State Fish and Wildlife Area. “Wabashiki” is the Miami Indian word for the river.

The initial phase covered by the federal grant will create a 1.8-mile walking trail on the existing West Vigo flood levee that protects West Terre Haute from rising river water. The trailhead begins at the Old Ramsey Tavern, now called Dewey Point, and runs south around the West Vigo Elementary School to the west side of West Terre Haute. To the west and south of the levee is a wetland area that Ruble said is ripe for conservation as a state fish and wildlife area.

Plans for the trail call for benches to overlook the wetlands, and a restroom facility for trail users. A visitor center is another phase of the project, and its plans include an office for the Department of Natural Resources as well as a glassed-in room for classes and observation of the wetlands.

Ruble said another part of the visitor center project is to build a ramp and covering out to a nearby existing platform tower so the public can sit and observe the wetlands. The elevated platform, and another like it along the trail route, are old Duke Energy transformer towers that are no longer in service.

The proposed plans include close to 3,000 acres in the project, but that could be expanded to 6,000 acres if additional landowners participate, Ruble said.

A later phase of the project is construction of a pedestrian and bicycle path along the existing U.S. 40 bridge across the river.

“We feel if we get the visitor center built and the trail along the levee, it will show the state the need to hook up Terre Haute with West Terre Haute,” Ruble said. “Right now, there’s no safe way to walk or bike across the bridge.”

He envisions connecting the new trail system with the existing Fairbanks Park Trail, and that would expand the recreational walking opportunities for area residents on both sides of the river.

So far, about 800 acres for the project have been purchased with funding from the county and the State Heritage Trust. Ruble said that if the state becomes involved through its fish and wildlife department, the area would attract a lot of recreational spending by the public.

Anyone wanting more information on the project can contact the Vigo County Parks and Recreation Department at (812) 462-3392.

Lisa Trigg can be reached at (812) 231-4254 or lisa.trigg@tribstar.com.



FIND OUT MORE

Anyone wanting more information on the project can contact the Vigo County Parks and Recreation Department at (812) 462-3392.