Goshen Community Schools will need to approve before construction can begin on a multiuse path behind Waterford Elementary School, connecting the southern part of the city. Photo from Trail Link.

News Release

GOSHEN — Goshen Community Schools will need to approve before construction can begin on a multiuse path behind Waterford Elementary School, connecting the southern part of the city.

Architectural and engineering consulting group Jones Petrie Rafinski, or JPR, is collaborating with the city of Goshen to extend the Winona Interurban Trail. The trail ends at the southeast corner of Bethany Christian Schools and heads north. It stops near the Norfolk Southern railroad tracks.

The planned extension would run along the west side of the railroad tracks and the east edge of Waterford Elementary School, going south and then crossing the tracks, following Waterford Mills Parkway and Regent street to connect with the existing path.

JPR Landscape Architect Andrew Cunningham said that JPR has been in discussions with Norfolk Southern on how to connect the path safely. As of now, walkers are taking their own paths across the railroad tracks. Using a maze for drivers and and a fence between the path and the tracks should keep pedestrians from crossing anywhere other than the designated crossing.

However, because the extension would run through part of Goshen Community Schools property, it would require an easement. JPR’s goal is to keep as much of the existing vegetation at Waterford Elementary School as possible. They would also install a 6-foot fence with privacy flats to divide the school from the trail.

Goshen School Board Vice President Bradd Weddell, who also sits on the Goshen Redevelopment Commission, told fellow board members that his concern is maintaining the natural screening of vegetation and suggested more vegetation rather than a fence.

Waterford Elementary is a no-walk zone because it is located on Indiana 15, though Goshen Community Schools Assistant Superintendent Alan Metcalfe has said it is possible that the path could be used by students for walking trips.

Weddell stated that redevelopment seems to be moving ahead on the project despite the district not having agreed yet.

According to Goshen City Engineer Dustin Sailor, redevelopment funds will be used for the trail extension and the city hopes to be at the school board’s January meeting to get approval from the district. Sailor also said that a rising population in the are from the incoming Cherry Creek subdivision will increase the need for walking and biking paths.