A mile south of the bustling traffic along US 30 east of Warsaw one can find a serene haven of specialty shops, enticing restaurants, nature trails and attractive well-groomed parks.

Welcome to Winona Lake.

The picturesque town of approximately 5,000 residents — and another 2,000 or so students when Grace College is in session — is nestled on the eastern shore of its namesake, originally named Eagle Lake.

Within the town, the privately-owned Village at Winona comprises 28 acres on both sides of Park Avenue, the main artery through the commercial district.

“People think the town and the village are the same entity,” said Craig Allebach, town coordinator for the past 17 years. That is not true, he said, though “we partner a lot with the village.”

Allebach said, “in the last 20 years we have seen a revitalization in the community that started with purchase and improvement of property within the village.”

The pace accelerated in the last decade with the construction of the Lake City Greenway, a 12-foot shared asphalt path for walkers, runners and bicyclists.

The Heritage Trail, Winona Lake’s portion of the greenway, stretches for 2 miles from the stoplight at Winona Avenue along the lake shore and an adjoining creek and through wooded areas to the south side of town.

The Heritage Trail, Winona Lake’s portion of the Lake City Greenway, accommodates walkers, runners and cyclists along 3 miles of 12-foot-wide paths meandering along the shores of Winona Lake and through wooded areas.

The trail is dotted with 10 art pieces sculpted by area artists depicting “attributes of the heritage of Winona Lake,” including kindness, virtue, generosity, community, gathering, beauty, respect, legacy, peace and love. But quiet does not mean stagnant.

Allebach and his colleagues in the town’s administration work continually to add amenities and attractions to the town.

Gene Seiman, Winona Lake building commissioner, left; Meghan Lincoln, chief deputy clerk; Kent Adams, clerk treasurer; and Craig Allebach, town coordinator, discuss plans to enhance the town’s amenities.

“Two years ago we finished a 1-mile extension to the Heritage Trail,” he said. Six more sculptures representing the history of Winona Lake will grace the path, which terminates at the north end of the Grace College campus.

“We will begin placing some of the artwork before the snow flies,” said Allebach.

During the past two years the town renovated its park. Further enhancements are planned for the near future.

“We rebranded the park from Winona Lake Park to Winona Lake Limitless Park, to reflect its inclusiveness of all ages and disabilities, including autism,” Allebach said, adding the park’s amenities “go beyond ADA requirements.”

The park includes a handicap accessible splash pad. Last year the town held a “community build” and installed new playground equipment.

“We just completed fundraising for restrooms by the splash pad,” he said. “We will award the bid and move ahead in the next 30 to 60 days.”

Future plans include renovating the tennis and basketball courts, courtesy of a grant from the K21 Health Foundation.

The expansion plans for Winona Lake Limitless Park include sensory nodes highlighting taste, texture and smell.

Allebach is currently working on funding for a Community Crossings matching grant for “upwards of $500,000 in projects to help resurface and seal roads in the community.” Under the grant, Winona Lake will pay 25 percent of the costs of improvement with INDOT picking up the remaining 75 percent.

Allebach extended a special thanks to the Dane and Mary Louise Miller Foundation for their generous donations throughout the years.

Nick Hauck, managing director of the Village at Winona since January, addressed a misconception about the village.

“A lot of people view it as an artisan’s village,” he said, “but we have transitioned into a full restaurant and retail destination with a very good selection of shops.”

He noted in particular a spice merchant who carries more than 1,000 offerings of spices and a shop dedicated to selling various flavors of oil and vinegar.

In addition, he said, the village has several professional offices, which offer services such as financial counseling and hair care.

The village will hold a communitywide sidewalk sale Saturday, Aug. 26. “All of the shops will participate,” said Hauck.

The village’s annual Canal Days will be held from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 2.

For more information, call Allebach at (574) 269-5112 or Hauck at (574) 268-9888 or visit www.winonalake.net or www.villageatwinona.com.