Walkers, runners and cyclists can now travel from the Eagle Marsh wetlands to New Haven without leaving a trail.
Mayor Tom Henry on Monday officially opened the city’s section of the Towpath Trail on the southwest side of town. The four-mile trail begins at the Eagle Marsh on Engle Road and extends to Rockhill Park, where it connects with the city’s Rivergreenway system.
“Our trail system is critical to connectivity and it brings quality of life,” Henry said.
The path has two pedestrian bridges and sits on a historic transportation corridor. It was once part of the Wabash & Erie Canal.
The Towpath’s name comes from the old canal towpath, which was the dirt path along the canal used by mules to tow boats.
Later, the area was used as part of the interurban railroad system, which transported people between Fort Wayne and Huntington.
Dawn Ritchie, city greenways manager, said there is still some work to do on the path, including posting informational signs and an additional boardwalk at the wetland. That work is expected to be done next year. The public can access the trail at Rockhill Park and on Glendale Drive.
The final segment of the Towpath will be constructed next year from Engle Road to Lutheran Hospital. It is being done by Aboite New Trails and Allen County, and when complete, will give the county 49 miles of connected trails.
