Where We're Going
Berne-Geneva Trail Project
Our current project will link the City of Berne and Town of Geneva with an asphalt trail built on the old GR&I Railroad Right-of-Way, which we have spent the past few years acquiring. The trail also connects to the Ceylon Covered Bridge at Limberlost Park (and eventually to Rainbow Bend Wetland Preserve). This project is divided into four phases:
- Phase 1A (COMPLETED in 2016 for $1,017,237.00) (Geneva to the Wabash River) -includes the trailhead bathrooms and parking lot.
- Phase 1B (COMPLETED in 2021 for $3,367,173.53) (Wabash River to 850 S) - includes the red railroad bridges over the Wabash.
- Phase 2A (Conceptual Phase) (700S to Lehman Park, Berne) - the final 0.5 mile spur into Lehman Park in Berne.
- ***Phase 2B*** (SHOVEL-READY) (850S to 700S) - Estimated at $500,000. Aiming to raise $850,000. The vital 1.5 mile phase which brings the trail to the edge of Berne, from which Lehman Park is accessible (following the dirt buggy path).
Long-term goals include linking to Bluffton (Oubache State Park), Decatur and Portland's trail systems. Bluffton's trail system in particular is planned to be part of the 81 mile-long "Pokabache Connector" Trail, connecting Oubache and Pokagon State Parks, which is estimated to have an economic impact in the surrounding area of $136.9 million in 2022 dollars.
Help Us Make A Difference!
We Need Your Help! 100% of our funding comes from donations or grants and goes toward the construction and maintenance of our trail system. Grants are never a sure thing and they require a high matching % of privately raised funding, so any money you give helps amplify the amount we might eventually receive. We are a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, so any and all donations to South Adams Trails, Inc. are tax-deductible. Thank you for your generosity and your support!