Black-Eyed Susan along the Pumpkinvine Nature Trail

Black-Eyed Susan along the Pumpkinvine Nature Trail

Tuesday, July 15, 2014

Wildflowers along the Pumpkinvine

The wildflowers that Bob Carrico and Chuck Thompson planted east of CR 43, between CR 1150W and 1100W and between CR 127 and CR 26  are spectacular now, two years after the planting.
East of CR 43

Between CR 127 and CR 26

West of CR 1150 in LaGrange County

Monday, July 7, 2014

Amazon Smile

When you begin your Amazon.com shopping at Amazon Smile, a portion of your purchase price will go toward the support of the Friends of the Pumpkinvine Nature Trail. Click the link Amazon Smile to get started.

Friday, July 4, 2014

July 4, 2014

It was an absolutely gorgeous day to ride on the trail -- low humidity and temperature in the low 70s. We saw more English than Amish riders today.

A helping hand

Yesterday I was taking photos of the flowers at CR 43 and east to Shipshewana. When I was finished, I stopped at the CR 43 rest room and discovered that there was no toilet paper there. There were four holders, but no paper. I saw many people on the trail and thinking about the forthcoming three-day holiday weekend, I decided it was a bad idea not to have any toilet paper in the restroom, so I emailed the Elkhart County Park Dept. to tell them about the situation. As I drove home, it occurred to me that at that time of day -- 3:30 p.m. on the day before a holiday -- it might be difficult for someone from the park department to run out with toilet paper, so I head west on US 20 to the CVS pharmacy, bought a 16-roll pack of toilet paper and went back and put in four rolls. It will be interesting to see how many are still there when we ride back that way today.

Tuesday, July 1, 2014

The Learning Corridor



The Middlebury Chamber of Commerce, in partnership with Middlebury Parks and the Friends of the Middlebury Parks, announces the development of the Learning Corridor along the Middlebury Greenway on the Pumpkinvine Nature Trail.

The Learning Corridor is a special half mile section of the Greenway from the Little Elkhart River to the location of the former Middlebury railroad depot, near Wayne Avenue. It offers visitors many opportunities to learn about Middlebury’s history, nature, wildlife, and enjoy the diverse flora and fauna offered in different gardens.

The sites along the Learning Corridor includes; the historic trestle bridge, Krider Worlds Fair Garden, rain gardens, the Quilt Garden, the Middlebury Community Historical Museum, the Habitat Garden, the Blue Bird Trail, the Right Tree-Right Place Arboretum and the site of the former Middlebury railroad depot.

Monica Yoder, Secretary of the Middlebury Park Board, said “Along the Middlebury Learning Corridor you will find several informational signs explaining the different sites.  You will find this a place to exercise your mind, while taking a relaxing walk with history, nature and wildlife”.

A family enjoys the Middlebury Greenway on the Pumpkinvine..
Take a guided walking tour along the Learning Corridor during the Trails of Middlebury Celebration on Saturday July 12, 6 to 9 PM. No pre-registration is necessary.  Parking will be available at Krider Garden Park, 302 West Bristol Avenue and at 104 Pleasant Street, located off of SR 13 behind the Chalet Party Shoppe.

For more information contact Tom Enright Middlebury Park and Recreation Manager, at 574-825-3283 or at parks@middleburyin.com