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Town representatives present early plan and high-level cost estimates for trail linking Pearson to Winona Lake
Summary
Town representatives from Pearson presented conceptual routes and high-level cost estimates for a multi-phase trail connecting Pearson and Winona Lake; a preferred phased route was estimated at about $3 million for initial segments.
Representatives from Pearson asked the parks board to consider a future trail connection from the town to Winona Lake and presented conceptual routing options and ballpark cost estimates for the project.
Glenn Hall, who said he is involved with town leadership, told the board his town wants to be a destination on the county trail system and has convened stakeholders to identify possible routes. Engineer Chad Salzbrenner (transcribed) described four initial corridor concepts that grew into multiple route variants; the group recommended a phased approach starting in Pearson and working toward Wooster and Winona Lake.
Chad said the stakeholders evaluated options that included boardwalks and creek-side alignments and that boardwalks proved cost-prohibitive. "We thought that the park would serve kind of as a trailhead...the preferred option was go through Deeds Creek, then to go to Pearson Road, and then use Washington Road to get to the Southeast Side of Wooster. And when I looked into that option, that is roughly $3,000,000 of project costs," Chad said.
Board members asked clarifying questions about jurisdiction and alignment. One board member asked whether Pearson is in Kosciusko County and was told it is. Staff and presenters discussed tradeoffs between roadside alignments (less scenic but more utilitarian) and more scenic creek-side or boardwalk segments (more costly and potentially requiring mitigation). County staff (Amy) confirmed the highway-safety review with County Highways and the challenge of right-of-way on some roads.
Presenters asked only to get the project on the parks board’s radar and to seek future letters of support; no funding requests were made at this meeting. The board indicated general interest and offered to help with letters of support when a formal application is prepared.
