{"id":73248,"date":"2018-08-20T15:00:15","date_gmt":"2018-08-20T19:00:15","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.aroundfortwayne.com\/news\/?p=73248"},"modified":"2018-08-20T15:00:15","modified_gmt":"2018-08-20T19:00:15","slug":"newest-pufferbelly-trail-segments-opened","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/aroundfortwayne.com\/news\/2018\/08\/20\/newest-pufferbelly-trail-segments-opened\/","title":{"rendered":"Newest Pufferbelly Trail segments opened"},"content":{"rendered":"

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\nNews release from the City of Fort Wayne:<\/p>\n

Mayor, Businesses, Community Celebrate Connectivity on Newest Trail<\/strong>
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\n(August 20, 2018) – Two significant segments of the Pufferbelly Trail are complete and today Mayor Tom Henry joined business owners, community leaders, elected officials and members of the Northeast Indiana Regional Development Authority (RDA) to cut the ribbon and officially open the trail routes.
\nAt 2.2 miles in length, the trail segments extend from West Fourth Street to just south of West State Boulevard and from just north of State where it branches to the Zoo and Fernhill Avenue. These portions of the Pufferbelly Trail will connect nearly 1,900 residents within a half-mile radius of the trail (1\/4 mile on each side) to more than 200 businesses and organizations. The proximity includes the neighborhoods of Spy Run, Bloomingdale, Brookview Civic, Irvington, Five Points, North Franke Park.
\n“The growth of our trails network continues to position Fort Wayne and northeast Indiana as leaders in providing quality of life amenities for residents, businesses, and guests,” said Mayor Henry. “I’m encouraged by the collaboration we’ve been experiencing as we invest in projects that will have a lasting and meaningful impact. High-performing partnerships are making a positive difference in our community.”
\n“Through the Regional Cities Initiative, northeast Indiana is investing in its long-term future through targeted projects to enhance culture, connectivity and livability for Hoosiers,” said Elaine Bedel, president of the Indiana Economic Development Corporation (IEDC). “These new segments will support the region’s efforts to retain and attract top talent, advancing northeast Indiana on its Road to One Million residents.”
\nConnectivity is highly noticeable along this section of the Pufferbelly Trail. It’s close to 186 commercial businesses and connects to destination points such as Science Central, the Fort Wayne Children’s Zoo, Foellinger Theatre, Sky Zone Trampoline Park, the SportOne Parkview Icehouse and Fieldhouse, Glenbrook Commons and Mall, and Fort Wayne’s riverfront.
\n“This section of the Pufferbelly Trail could arguably be the most important segment we’ve ever built,” said Dawn Ritchie, Greenways and Trails manager for the City of Fort Wayne. “We are providing a safe connection to so many businesses and destination points. It also links to the Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial Bridge, connecting users to the entire downtown.”
\nThe two segments opened today were grouped with two other sections of the Pufferbelly Trail to obtain Regional Cities funding provided by the IEDC. The segments included:<\/p>\n