On Wednesday, Oct. 6, the city of Warsaw’s Common Council accepted a donation from The Bowen Center for $10,000 to contribute to the East Market Street Trail. This is the first major donation toward the K21 Health Foundation’s grant of $375,000. The full amount of the K21 grant will only be realized if the community is able to raise a $125,000 match.

This project is part of the community’s effort to encourage healthy lifestyles by providing safe and convenient routes for recreation and active transportation. The Market Street Trail will strengthen connections between the town of Winona Lake, downtown Warsaw, Market street neighbors and three parks. This will also connect the greenways with a cross town trail and become the center of the trail system; indirectly connecting every major trail and many more schools, parks, and homes and greatly improving quality of life and place.

“The Bowen Center is proud to be an active partner in this community and is encouraged to see the city invest in a core neighborhood through trail development. We gladly support this initiative as it promotes active physical exercise, which is greatly linked to a higher quality of mental health,” stated Kurt Carlson, president and CEO of The Bowen Center.

Pictured from right in the front row: Kurt Carlson, Stephen Harris of Harris & Harris, Assistant City Planner Tim Dombrosky and Warsaw Mayor Joe Thallemer. Back row, from right, Diane Quance, Jerry Frush, Charles Smith, Elaine Call, Cindy Dobbins, Jeff Grose, and Mike Klondaris.

About the East Market Street Trail

Phase one of the project will see major construction next year from Argonne Road to Bronson Street. This project includes a 10′ multi-use trail and new sidewalks. The project will then be continued to downtown Warsaw by the city with the help of a state grant.

In 2012, the Ride+Walk Master Plan established a network to be completed. SInce then, trails on Lincoln, West Center and Winona Avenue have been built, as well as the Krebs Trailhead Park and a trailhead at Roy Street. The trails benefit those who use them by making it safer and more enjoyable. Those who cannot use them benefit from fewer cars on the road. Property owners benefit from increased property values, and businesses benefit from trail users who tend to stay longer and spend more. Trails also reduce accidents by raising awareness and lowering speeds.

The Ride+Walk Warsaw+Winona Lake is an advisory committee formed to unify efforts by the city, town county and community. Please visit ridewalk.com to find out more. For information on the trail or the Ride+Walk Warsaw+Winona Lake efforts, call Tim Dombrosky at 574-372-9550, email [email protected] or visit www.ridewalk.com.