4 days ago
River Mill Trail opens in Middlebury
MIDDLEBURY — The Indiana Department of Natural Resources and the town of Middlebury celebrated the opening of the River Mill Trail Thursday.
'At DNR, outdoor recreation is core to our mission,' said Dale Brier, DNR deputy director of community grants and trails. 'We're proud to support Middlebury with the new River Mill Trail that makes important connections between existing trails, the regional Pumpkinvine Trail, and other local businesses.'
More than one mile of asphalt multi-use trail was constructed by the town of Middlebury's Parks and Recreation Department with help from a $717,370 grant administered by the DNR.
The River Mill Trail links existing park trails in the town of Middlebury to a 9-mile section of the regional Pumpkinvine Trail. The new trail also connects Middlebury residents to several businesses along the trail corridor.
'The funds from the DNR grant provided the bulk of the money to launch the town of Middlebury's newest trail,' said Tom Enright, park superintendent. 'The River Mill Trail connects two of the town's parks to the Pumpkinvine Nature Trail and allows residents on the east side of the town to access the Pumpkinvine without needing to cross Ind. 13.
'The River Mill Trail is already being used on a regular basis by providing more opportunities for safe recreation, exercise and transportation.'
DNR has led the largest infusion of trails funding in state history, with $180 million in dedicated trail funding administered through DNR that facilitates critical trail connections within and between Hoosier communities. A total of 45 of the 89 projects are complete, with another 21 under construction. With this opening, more than 134 miles of trail have been built since the program's inception.
