WILKINSON — Officials in eastern Hancock County are weighing a rare opportunity against concerns of intrusiveness as they decide whether to support a proposed trail between Shirley and Wilkinson.
The 8-foot-wide asphalt walking and biking trail would be about 1½ miles long. It is part of the county-wide trail plan the Hancock County Commissioners approved late last year.
Not long after the plan’s approval, the state accepted Fortville, Hancock County and Greenfield into the state’s Stellar Communities Program. Together they make up the Health & Heritage Region, and it is now eligible for millions of dollars in grants for community improvement projects. One of those opportunities is a $1.5 million grant to fund the Shirley-Wilkinson trail, said Stephanie White-Longworth, one of the project’s advocates, at a recent Wilkinson Town Council meeting.
[sc:text-divider text-divider-title=”Story continues below gallery” ]
Typically, that kind of grant would require a 20% match, White-Longworth continued, but the Health & Heritage Region Stellar Community match already in play would bring the two towns’ responsibility for the trail down to $50,000. That makes it a unique opportunity not likely to be available again in the future, White-Longworth said.
The towns would negotiate how they’d split that match, White-Longworth added. About 20% of the trail would be in Wilkinson, and about 40% of it would be in Shirley while the rest would be in the county.
She said the Shirley Community Visionaries, a nonprofit group, has agreed to lead fundraising and additional grant-seeking efforts to reduce the amount of town funds that would be required.
As it’s currently suggested, the trail would run along the old rail line between the two towns. Wilkinson’s starting point would be near the town park while Shirley’s would be near the Octagon House.
Annual maintenance costs for the trail are estimated at about $1,200. But that’s without any volunteer assistance, White-Longworth said, which she sees as a valuable opportunity for local students and others who would be willing to contribute their efforts.
Wilkinson Town Council members will vote at their meeting next month whether to enter into a memorandum of understanding with Shirley over moving forward with the proposed trail. Hancock County officials would be involved with the future planning as well.
Town council members invited residents to their meeting last Saturday to receive feedback on the proposal. When asked for a show of hands from landowners who were for and against the idea, the council received a result amounting to about 2-to-1 opposed.
Councilman Dennis Fisher said he’s spoken with residents in favor of the project who could not make Saturday’s meeting. He said he’ll also consider their opinions as he prepares to make his decision in June.
Should the project progress, its stakeholders would apply for the $1.5 million state grant in fall 2020.
The meeting drew concerns from landowners about local government taking their land for the trail, but White-Longworth and officials said eminent domain has not been common throughout Hancock County’s history.
“Our county is not the kind of community that likes to forcefully take anything from anybody,” White-Longworth said. “That’s not our spirit of doing things.”
The final route would depend on landowner participation, she continued, adding participating landowners would be asked to donate their land or place an easement granting access for the trail.
Terry Molden is split on the idea, just like his land would be under the way the trail’s route is currently suggested.
“We’ve got some ideas and some thoughts, and this trail’s going to be right in the middle of some of them,” he said. “So that makes me think I don’t know whether I want this or not. I’m not totally against it, but I’m not really crazy about it either.”
Rich Messer recently moved to the area and said he was drawn to it for its secluded, rural atmosphere. The trail’s currently proposed route isn’t far from the rear of his house, he added.
“I’m not sure I’m comfortable with having a steady stream of people in my back yard,” Messer said.
Andy Ebbert of Shirley Community Visionaries said the group had been envisioning the trail since before Hancock County developed its recent trail plan. The motivation behind the idea, he continued, was to come up with attractions that would draw new residents to the area and invest in the older housing stock.
“Trying to find amenities or reasons for people to come out this way is one of the reasons the trail idea came to light,” he said.
[sc:pullout-title pullout-title=”At a glance” ][sc:pullout-text-begin]
A look at the Shirley-Wilkinson trail:
Specifications: 8 feet wide to be paved with asphalt.
Length 1½ miles between the two towns.
Terminus: The trail heads would be near the Octagon House in Shirley and the town park in Wilkinson.
Cost: With a state grant as part of the Stellar Communities program and other matches, the towns’ share would be about $50,000.
[sc:pullout-text-end]
