By Dan Spalding
News Now Warsaw
WARSAW — Kosciusko County park leaders are inviting the public to attend a meeting at the City-County Athletic Complex to learn more about the Chinworth Bridge trailhead park and seek folks who want to get involved.
The meeting will be at 3:30 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 28, at the CCAC, which is near the historic Chinworth Bridge along Old Road 30.
Troy Turley, president of the county parks board, said the meeting has two goals — explain the plan for the trailhead improvements and the role of the Friends of the Trails.
The work represents the second major undertaking after the recent completion of a segment of the trail west of the bridge.
The park board was established less than three years ago.
Upgrades being discussed include: Widening of the walkway from the bridge to the pavilion, enhancing the paddlers’ launch at the adjacent Tippecanoe River, and some inexpensive landscaping improvements.
They’re also looking at new lights on the bridge to improve security, Turley said.
“We feel these upgrades will expand recreational opportunities for walkers, cyclists, paddlers alike and enhance the county’s historical bridge,” Turley said.
The Friends of the Trails is a volunteer organization that seeks to support the work of the parks board.
Friends of the Trails was established last year, and Turley said they’d like to see more people get involved.
The group provides maintenance support and works alongside the park board on future projects that are expected to branch out across parts of the county for years to come.
The park board is working toward applying for the Community Amenities Program that could open the door for some matching grant money.
“We got a nice project, and we feel it’s gonna be great for the citizens of our community and those who are coming to visit,” Turley said.
