Black-Eyed Susan along the Pumpkinvine Nature Trail

Black-Eyed Susan along the Pumpkinvine Nature Trail

Friday, March 27, 2015

Opening day on the Pumpkinvine


Our first Opening Day on the Trail event was a success. In Goshen, we had nine riders and 15 walkers -- not a bad turn out  considering the cool weather, i.e., 36 degrees with a slight wind from the north. But it was sunny and that made it bearable.

WNDU story on the opening day events along the Pumpkinvine Nature Trail

Kate Chappell did a story about opening day on the Pumpkinvine with some nice graphics: 
WNDU story on Opening Day

Thursday, March 5, 2015

Leaving a legacy

 I am frequently amazed at the generosity of people in our community who donate to the Friends of the Pumpkinvine year after year, some for 20 or more years. That generosity and community spirit is particularly poignant and noteworthy when it comes from seniors, because I know that they know they will not be able to enjoy their investment in the Pumpkinvine Nature Trail as long as young adults will be able to.

These seniors are donating for the future well being of the community, because they want to pass on the legacy of a wonderful linear park. They have the imagination to look 40 or 60 years ahead to when their grandchildren and great grandchildren will live in a world where green space is more limited. By this small gesture, they know that they have improved the quality of life in the community they inherited.

Seeing this generosity year after year never gets old. Still, I'm occasionally surprised, as I was this week, when we received a donation from a supporter who is 100 years old. What a profound affirmation of her faith in this rails-to-trails project. I'm humbled at the thought of a person at that age still investing in the community.

Meet the Managers -- Opening Day for Trails on the Pumpkinvine



Opening Day for Trails on the Pumpkinvine, Goshen

Location: Goshen, Ind.
Specific Location: Pumpkinvine Nature Trail, Abshire Park, 1302 E. Lincoln Ave.
Time: 2 p.m.
Event Type: Join Pumpkinvine supporters in Goshen for “Meet the Managers”—an opportunity to meet and talk with representatives from the staff of Goshen Park and Recreation and a member of the Friends of the Pumpkinvine Nature Trail board. Learn about efforts to close the gap in the trail. Walk to CR 28 and back (3.5-mile round-trip) or ride to CR 33 and back (10-mile round-trip).

No registration is necessary, but if you click on the http://www.railstotrails.org/opening-day-for-trails, you can register for free prizes from Rails-to-Trails Conservancy.

Opening Day for Trails on the Pumpkinvine, Middlebury

Location: Middlebury, Ind.
Specific Location: Pumpkinvine Nature Trail, American Legion parking lot at the corner of SR 13 and York Drive
Time: 2 p.m.
Event Type: Join Pumpkinvine supporters in Middlebury for “Meet the Managers”—an opportunity to meet and talk with representatives from Elkhart County Parks, the Middlebury town manager ( two of the agencies that manage the Pumpkinvine Nature Trail) and a representative  of the Friends of the Pumpkinvine Nature Trail board. Learn about efforts to close the gap in the trail. Walk southwest to Learning Corridor (less than a mile roundtrip), or ride to Shipshewana and back (12-mile round-trip). 

No registration is necessary, but if you click on the http://www.railstotrails.org/opening-day-for-trails, you can register for free prizes from Rails-to-Trails Conservancy.

Opening Day for Trails on the Pumpkinvine, Shipshewana

Location: Shipshewana, Ind.
Specific Location: Pumpkinvine Nature Trail, parking lot at the Wolfe Building at 345 N. Morton St.
Time: 2 p.m.
Event Type: Join Pumpkinvine supporters in Shipshewana for “Meet the Managers”—an opportunity to meet and talk with t a member of the Shipshewana town council and a representative of the Friends of the Pumpkinvine Nature Trail board. Learn about our efforts to close the gap in the trail.

Walk west 1.75 miles and return (a 3.50-mile round-trip), or ride to the Dairy Queen and return (a 12.5-mile round-trip).

No registration is necessary, but if you click on the http://www.railstotrails.org/opening-day-for-trails, you can register for free prizes from Rails-to-Trails Conservancy.

Sunday, March 1, 2015