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May 20, 2012

Water Works: Walking trails, observation gazebo and more coming to the banks of the Wabash River

Howard Greninger The Tribune-Star

TERRE HAUTE — Walking trails and an observation gazebo are among projects under way for the Wabashiki Fish & Wildlife Area east of West Terre Haute.

Progress on the wetland area is the focus of Riverscape, a project of the Wabash River Development & Beautification Inc., a non-profit organization created in 2006 to promote the river. It includes Terre Haute and Vigo County elected officials as well as business and volunteer members.

The group earlier this week unveiled its first draft of a mapped plan for the Wabashiki Fish & Wildlife Area, which is being maintained by the Indiana Department of Natural Resources’ Division of Fish and Wildlife and the Vigo County Parks & Recreation Department. The area is also supported from the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Natural Resources Conservation Services.

Vigo County Park officials in the next month plan to mail 600 to 1,000 letters to landowners within a quarter mile of a proposed West Vigo Levee Trail. The letters are part of a permit process through the Indiana DNR’s Division of Water.

The permit would allow Vigo County to make a trail on top of the levee. The permit process takes six to eight weeks when initiated, said Keith Ruble, superintendent of the Vigo County Parks & Recreation Department.

“It gives an individual [landowner] the opportunity, if they have any comments about it, to comment to the DNR,” Ruble said.

“The trail will come in phases. We would like to have the trail completely around West Terre Haute,” Ruble said. “This first part is the south leg, a 1.9 mile trail going from Dewey Point over to the west edge of West Terre Haute.”

This trail will be made from white rock flume, which is finely crushed limestone, Ruble said.

Another trail being planned is known as the Ag Levee Trail, which goes along the southern edge of the fish and wildlife area, from south 10th Street in West Terre Haute, then under Interstate 70 twice and back north to Dresser and to the former U.S. 40.

This trail is about 4 miles long.

“We are looking at using a product called manufactured stone, which is river stone, gravel, which is crushed down to pea size and smaller. … Otherwise we will use white rock flume. We have not decided yet,” Ruble said. “We want something that will pack for foot traffic. The manufactured stone is more earth tone, which I like.”

Ruble said the park department hopes to have the trails done by fall “if we can.” Staff shortages, the busy season and a fall festival could potentially slow the process, Ruble said.

“It is a challenge, but it is something that does not require a lot of maintenance once you get it in,” he said.

Ruble said he hopes to use inmate workers from the Indiana Department of Corrections to put down the rock cover for the trail. He will also seek volunteer workers.

A pedestrian walkway is already under construction on the south bridge spanning the Wabash River. The Indiana Department of Transportation project includes placing a concrete barrier along the bridge’s traffic lane to protect pedestrians and bicyclists. A concrete barrier already exists along the river side.

“We worked on this for the past year and INDOT decided to fund it and is constructing it,” said Ron Hinsenkamp, chief transportation planner for West Central Indiana Economic Development District.

“This walkway will tie into Fairbanks Park,” as well as to a trail for the Wabashiki Fish and Wildlife Area, Hinsenkamp, a member of Riverscape, said.

Indiana DNR Director Rob Carter said the state will obtain 208 acres, on the east side of the Wabash River, across from the wetland area and south of Interstate 70, from the city of Terre Haute. That area is not easily accessible and is best used as a wildlife area, Carter said.

In addition, attorneys for Indiana and Mallinckrodt Inc., a pharmaceutical company, are in the process of conveying 354 acres along the eastern edge of the wetlands to the state.

It is through this property that an elevated trail is being planned, which cuts across the southern third of the wetland area.

“That will link both sides,” Ruble said. “Instead of people having to walk all the way around, they can walk through the center of the wetland area. It will also provide access to hunters, photographers and bird watchers as it goes right through a beautiful area. If completed, it will tie both ends together.”

That area is also being studied by the USDA’s NRCS for “ditch plugs” to be placed on the southern portion of the fish and wildlife area to help keep water year-round in the wetlands. That would make the site more attractive to migrating birds.

A gazebo for Dewey Point, located near the western edge of West Terre Haute, had been planned to be built upon concrete pillars used for Duke Energy power lines. However, the company plans to re-energize the lines, so plans have been changed.

Now, a 110 foot walkway pier is planned to extend out into the wetlands, ending in an elevated gazebo. “It will be just like the fishing piers you see down in Florida going out into the water,” Ruble said.

The park department is in the process of getting estimates for this project, Ruble said.

Kevin L. Runion, associate vice president for facilities management at Indiana State University, said the university is continuing its work on its 2009 master plan to move an athletic facility along the Wabash River.

The former Icon building’s eastern and southern wings are being demolished on about 20 acres, owned by ISU and the ISU Foundation. A track and field, and possibly a football field, will be located at the site along the river.

Soil borings will determine if a stadium should be recessed and built down into the ground or if it should be built at grade, Runion said. In addition, the city of Terre Haute has two intersecting sewers in that area. The city is getting cost estimates on relocating the sewers.

Runion said a study is also under way for a possible extension of the Indiana Heritage Trail, possibly from Fourth and Tippecanoe streets along a railroad track over to the former Icon property, then south to Fairbanks Park. “We are also looking at other routes, perhaps coming south and paralleling the overpass until you to get down to Sycamore Street, then straight into the Icon property,” Runion said.



Reporter Howard Greninger can be reached

at (812) 231-4204 or howard.greninger@

tribstar.com.

 

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