Pumpkinvine Advisory Committee

Once a month, representatives from Goshen Park and Recreation, Middlebury, Shipshewana, Elkhart County Parks and the Friends of the Pumpkinvine meet to discuss issues related to the Pumpkinvine Nature Trail. The group is called the Pumpkinvine Advisory Committee (PAC), and its purpose is to foster cooperation and consistent policies among the four government agencies that manage the Pumpkinvine Nature Trail. With so much cynicism around about government, it's refreshing to  participate in meetings where government officials listen, make good decisions, and in general are responsible public servants.

The group makes decisions by consensus and most of those decisions don't require approval from the boards or councils the PAC members work for. An example of a PAC decision is the agreement to color code the mile markers -- Goshen, blue; Elkhart County Parks, brown; Middlebury, green; and Shipshewana, black -- so that users would know who is managing the section they are in.

If PAC creates a policy that would have legal implications, the agency representatives seek approval from their boards or councils. In other words, PAC does not function at this point as an official inter-governmental agency that makes policy on it's own. Although members have discussed drawing up an inter-governmental agreement, they don't think its necessary at this time.

The issues the PAC members discuss in a typical meeting include updates on trail construction projects (if any), problems encountered on the trail, like lines painted on the trail surface or rough pavement that needs fixing. A major topic concerns events that various groups are planning for the trail. Last year PAC agreed on an application process for groups using the trail to raise money in an effort to be prepared for the groups and avoid conflicts if two groups wanted events on the same day. They want groups to have a good experience, and knowing ahead of time where the group plans to walk or run allows the managing agencies for those sections to be sure that the trail is cleaned off and any needed repairs are done.

Another PAC initiative was the policy on what powered vehicles people with disabilities could use on the trail. The group hammered out the wording and then each managing agency had its board or council approve the measure. The Friends of the Pumpkinvine agreed to pay for the flags that would be attached to the vehicles to identify them as approved trail vehicles.

The Friends of the Pumpkinvine also assist the group by providing the trail map, managing the Pumpkinvine website (www.punpkinvine.org), and answering emails from people who want information about the Pumpkinvine. One person asked what sections of the Pumpkinvine were shaded because they had a skin condition and couldn't be in the sun very long. Others ask where they can park, what's the longest paved section or if there are bikes to rent. 

Facebook feedback

On August 4, I posted this question on our Friends of the Pumpkinvine Facebook page:  “What improvements would you like to see to the Pumpkinvine Nature Trail?”  By Aug. 28, there were 28 comments. Here’s a summary. Note that in many cases a comment mentioned several ideas, so when someone “liked” that comment, it isn’t clear which idea they are referring to. In other words, the “Liked” column isn’t very accurate.

Suggestions	Times mentioned	Liked
Completion of the trail between CR 33 & CR 35	6	27
Pave limestone section from SR 4 to County Road 28	5	16
More drinking fountains	5	23
Half-miles and mile markers on all the trail	4	21
Additional toilets	3	17
Fix the holes east of County Road 127	1
Install tire pumps at parking lots	1
Extend the trail to North Park in Shipshewana	1	1
Cut back trees at county-road crossings	1	7
More signs with trail rules	1	6
Complete the trail into Shipshewana	1	5
Bridges over busy county roads	1
Additional parking	1	10
Better signage in Goshen to locate the Maple City Greenway	1	2
Build a spur to Bonneville Mill Park	1
A snow blower for Elkhart County Parks	1
Lights on the trail	1	3
Extend the Pumpkinvine to Elkhart, Wakarusa and Nappanee	1	6
Better signs between County Road 35 and County Road 33	1	7
Make the Abshire Trail a boardwalk

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

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.

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.

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.

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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