By GARTH SNOW

gsnow@kpcmedia.com

HUNTERTOWN — Eleven shiny shovels lifted loosened dirt Feb. 21 to mark the formal beginning of construction on a 4.3-mile segment of the Pufferbelly Trail.

Allen County, Huntertown and Fort Wayne Trails officials and other partners and supporters shared in the photo opportunity at a break in the former New York Central Railroad right of way, alongside Huntertown Stables, 422 W. Gump Road, Huntertown.

Fleming Excavating began clearing the path in January, creating a corridor between trees lining the old railroad bed extending north toward Fitch Road.

Fort Wayne Trails Executive Director Megan McClellan welcomed about 50 participants and onlookers on a crisp but clear February day, explaining how the latest project is only one segment of an 81-mile multicounty trails network.

“This trail is an incredible collaboration between so many parties, but most especially the Allen County Commissioners,” McClellan said in introducing Commissioner Therese Brown.

“This has been a project that has been years in the making,” Brown said, thanking partners in that process. Judging by the turnout, she said, support is huge. “We look forward to being able to complete this before the end of the year, so pray for dry weather,” she said.

Huntertown Town Council President Brandon Seifert hailed the trail as “a great addition to our community.”

“I know that the community loves trails … that is something they have been asking for,” Seifert said. He said the town, too, is busy creating and connecting trails.

Mike Kelly, vice president of the board of Fort Wayne Trails, said trail supporters began researching corridors two decades ago. “We gathered in people’s living rooms and coffee shops and church community centers, and we tried to pick apart what this could look like,” he said. “We would come out and walk the trails and find out who owns them. We knew it could happen; we had seen it happen in Indianapolis.”

He called the latest project a testament to the perseverance of that group, and of city and county and state officials.

“Today is a very exciting day,” Kelly said. “Not only are we celebrating the expansion of the Pufferbelly but — if you step back — this is part of a regional trail called the Poka-Bache, which will eventually go from Pokagon State Park in Angola, along the Pufferbelly in Fort Wayne, to Ouabache State Park in Bluffton, so that’s the next 10 years … ”

“It means more connectivity between your neighborhoods,” he said. “It means a safer place for your kids to enjoy recreation, to enjoy nature. These are linear parks. We’re blessed that the tree canopy remains, so when you step into these (trails) it’s like stepping into a park out of your neighborhood and what it means is we’re building a legacy. It’s something that our kids and grandkids are going to enjoy for a long time.”

The latest 12-foot-wide segment will extend from a trailhead near Lifebridge Church in Perry Township to Fitch Road, just south of the Allen-DeKalb County Line. In Fort Wayne, it will meet the Rivergreenway and link to the rest of that 134-mile trail system. Fort Wayne Trails is also partnering with the Allen County Parks Department to build a trail spur to the parking area of Payton County Park. Allen County Parks recently received DNR funds to build the 8-foot spur into the center of the park and has hired contractors to complete the final design. The state of Indiana has provided $3.3 million for the construction of this project.

The trail will include a new trailhead just north of Shoaff Road and a turn-around loop and rest area at Fitch Road.

In a news release issued by the Allen County Commissioners, Indiana Department of Natural Resources Director Dan Bortner said, “The State of Indiana and Gov. (Eric) Holcomb have been recognized nationally as rail-trail champions because of incredible partnerships like we see today through the Pufferbelly Trail. Next Level Trails is bringing Hoosiers together within and across communities through a historic $150 million investment into our trail infrastructure. As more trail gets built, I can’t wait to see more Hoosiers getting outside to explore the treasures in their own backyard.”