Wabash & Erie Canal Towpath Trail Forum Meeting Notes
March 21, 2007
Honeywell Center – Wabash, Indiana
Hosted by: Charlie Creek Foundation
OPENING REMARKS
Meeting was opened with Tom Castaldi reminding the 16 persons present that this fourth meeting of the group was being hosted by the Charlie Creek Foundation to explore the vision of connecting the existing community trails following the Wabash & Erie Canal Towpath. In fact, a driving tour can be followed – currently from the Indiana-Ohio state line to as far Attica – that tracks the towpath and for posting on this web site. Individual county members may find it useful in marking the route with the soon to be available Wabash River Heritage Corridor and specifically with “Towpath” directional signs similar to the ones already installed through Carroll County. Note: the driving tour soon will be extended beyond Fountain County to include additional counties.
GENERAL DISCUSSION
Because of the distances some people must drive to attend our Towpath Forum, it was recommended that the April meeting be held in the Delphi Wabash & Erie Canal Interpretative Center. Subsequent meetings may be planned for Wabash’s Honeywell Center and begin alternating between each of these locations.
Jim Ridenour recommended that the written recap of the February 1, 2007, meeting be sent our several legislative representatives. Over the past two weeks the message and direction to our blog site was sent to those legislator email addresses we have in our address book. However, it was noted that it is more important that each of our Towpath Forum members take the time to write a letter, phone or visit their representative with the following: 1) On February 1st, Ray Irvin, Director INDOT’s Greenways & Bikeways gave our group an in-depth review of the Hoosiers On The Move Indiana State Trails, Greenways & Bikeways Plan. Our attendees had a lengthy dialog with Director Irvin describing to him the routes that ideally track the canal towpath. 2) We support Director Irvin’s efforts. 3) We would like to see the detailed plan before it is finalized with the opportunity to recommend adjustments that support our vision.
Ron James, who has been following the State’s budgeting process, reported that the Wabash River Heritage Corridor (WRHC) coffer has not been “funded” for projects that are vetted but not financed. It is important to let your representatives know that we are here and that we have an interest in seeing the Corridor’s efforts moved ahead.
John Gettinger from Sullivan County and the WRHC and Banks of the Wabash, Inc., complimented the Towpath Forum’s efforts stating that the Wabash is both a River Trail and a Walking Trail. He heartily supports the idea of the Wabash & Erie Canal Towpath Trail because of the added value it delivers. He noted that part of the River Trail planning includes unique “Canoe Stations” positioned strategically along the river. After paddling for long lengths on the river it would be possible to “drop off” or “deposit” a canoe and hike the Towpath Trial before stopping at the next “Canoe Station” and “checking out” a new one. As far as we know, there is no where else in the nation that this is a possibility.
Geographically, our Wabash & Erie Towpath Trail serve the populations of Fort Wayne and Evansville and are the governing seats of the second and third largest counties in the state. The Wabash Corridor counties, which represent 20% of all Indiana counties has the second largest population after the nine-county area surrounding Indianapolis.
Mike Beauchamp: said that it is important that when each of us individually make contacts with our representatives we do so with a common message. Not a cookie cutter, form letter approach, but that our message is clear in its content.
Our Wabash Erie Canal Towpath Trail Mission is to network with already completed community and county trails by assisting in connecting them one with the other. [Expanding that notion, we are organized to promote a well-marked trail that approximates the Wabash Erie Canal route, extending from the Ohio-Indiana state line to Delphi on the north side of the Wabash River. From Delphi through Lafayette the desired trail connects with Terre Haute following the east side of the Wabash. Further a natural opportunity is represented that traces the canal to Evansville following the canal towpath. From Evansville it moves westward through Posey County to join the Wabash River and complete a loop by returning up the Wash to Terre Haute. It is intended to be for hikers, bikers who seek recreation, enjoy unique environment and take pride in history. Economic development will follow the trail users.]
After a lengthy discussion among the sixteen members present a motion was offered by Mike Galbraith to join the Banks of the Wabash as a chapter.
Resolve That, the Wabash & Erie Canal Towpath Trail Forum become a non-profit chapter member of the Banks of the Wabash, Inc., with the intentions of fostering the mission of establishing a recreational, economical developmental and historical pathway and for those other purposes that are to the mutual advantage of our organizations.
Discussion: Banks of the Wabash’s mission states that it is a non-profit membership organization dedicated to preserving, enhancing, and promoting the significant historical and natural resources of the Wabash River Heritage Corridor. Further discussion included the opportunity for having a 501 (c )3 organization that eliminates the Towpath Forum from having to create its own non profit status; simplifies financial reporting, offers a facility to hold land easements that may come to us; have a communications (newsletter) component and awards program in place; works with a similar mission that may eliminate confusion among our common audiences; projects a united sameness of goals; take advantage of the reputation already established by Banks; and the fact that our project offers a walking trail that is useful to the State’s efforts in creating a more fulfilling and appealing Wabash River Corridor. On the risk side, it was noted that we may find ourselves lost within a bigger organization’s purposes and our specific mission loose the clout we may achieve by virtue of the large geographical area we represent.
A vote was unanimous to join Banks of the Wabash.
Mike Beauchamp donated the cost of a chapter membership.
Heather Allen recommended that the voted upon resolution be discussed at the next meeting in Delphi to test full acceptance of those members who were not able to be in attendance.
CONCLUDING REMARKS
For each 25 individual Towpath Forum members who join the Banks of the Wabash at least the minimum $15.00 level, qualifies one representative to sit on the Banks of the Wabash board of directors. For your membership card, regular updates on activities, newsletter annual membership, send a $15.00 check made payable to Banks of the Wabash, Inc. and mail to Banks of the Wabash, Inc P.O. Box 1253, Lafayette, Indiana 47902
ACTION PLAN
1. Contact your Indiana State Legislators and let them know that we support Ray Irvin’s Indiana Trails Plan and that we would like to opportunity to see the final draft before it’s approved.
2. Mail your $15.00 individual membership to Banks of the Wabash.
Next meeting: April 12, 2007 at 10:00 a.m. in the Wabash & Erie Canal Center, Canal Park, Delphi, Indiana. Directions: follow Indiana Highway 25 to the stop light in Delphi. Turn north on Washington Street and proceed six blocks; cross the stone bridge; watch for signs and turn west into the Park. Look for the building with the façade that features 1840s Delphi downtown buildings’ skyline.
Meeting adjourned.
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