The Hawpatch Trail Project, spearheaded by LaGrange County Trails, which is a 17-mile bike trail along the former Wabash Railroad corridor in southwest LaGrange County, with construction expected to start in late 2026, is full steam ahead!
Sherryl Rhinesmith, vice president of the LaGrange County Trails Board of Directors, and former Marketing and Member Services manager at LaGrange County REMC, is optimistically excited about what this trail will do for LaGrange County. “My husband and I ride our bikes quite often and this will give us a new, safe trail to ride. But it’s not just for leisure, this trail will pass or come close to 22 schools in the county and provide a safer option for those that bike to work,” Rhinesmith noted.
LaGrange County Trails exists to provide trails in the county but those trails also connect to trails in neighboring counties. The Hawpatch Trail Project will also connect to Noble and Elkhart counties. “This trail will be the link for people to ride their bikes from Fort Wayne to Elkhart County,” Rhinesmith said.
Through the LaGrange County Community Foundation (LCCF), LaGrange County Trails applied for and was granted $2,500 from the LaGrange County REMC’s Operation Round Up Program. The $2,500 was enough to reach the threshold of $225,000, an amount that was then matched by the Lilly Endowment’s Giving Indiana Funds for Tomorrow Initiative. Many local individuals donated, multiple fundraisers were held to help reach the match, including a haystack dinner hosted by the Trails Group back in August. The LaGrange County Convention and Visitors Bureau also gave $50,000 towards the match. Leanna Martin, Program Director, LCCF, said, “The Hawpatch Trail is a transformational $18 million initiative, that will connect the communities of Wolcottville, Topeka and Millersburg.”
“It will be the best trail in Northern Indiana,” Rhinesmith quipped. The group is still looking for corporate donations, state and federal grants, and community support. “If we, as a board, can ride a bike on this trail, it will have been a success.” (a lighthearted jab that the committee has been working on the project for many years and would like to use the trail before they all are too old!)
“Once complete, the Hawpatch Trail is anticipated to have over 116,000 users annually, and link three counties: Elkhart, Noble and LaGrange. Designed for both daily commuters and recreational users, the trail will strengthen connections between communities while offering a safe, scenic route for travel and play,” noted Martin.
To donate or for more information, visit lagrangecountytrails.org.
