April 30 Meeting Summary

Wabash & Erie Canal Towpath Trail Chapter

Honeywell Center, 1:30 p.m. Nixon Room

Hosted by Charley Creek Foundation

April 30, 2008

RECAP

1. OPENING REMARKS

Attending were: Michael Beauchamp, Dick Beamer, Joan and Les Keefer, Ron James, Roger Goodland, Bob and Carolyn Schmidt, Dan McCain, Terry Lacy, Dan White and Tom Castaldi. Several of our group who usually meet with us experienced scheduling conflicts and could not be in attendance. Meeting was opened with Tom Castaldi thanking Beth Stein of Charlie Creek Foundation for their support along with her assistance scheduling our meeting and for Lisa Iversen who maintains our blog site. An email letter was read sent by Ray Irvin who is leaving INDOT to work with communities state wide to assist in moving there trail projects to completion. He expressed his willingness to assist us in our efforts going forward.

2. MEMBERSHIP

April is our anniversary month to renew our Banks of the Wabash (BOW) membership. A copy of the "Invitation to Join" can be found on the blogsite. Print out the handy "Membership Categories" section, complete the form, mention "Wabash & Erie Towpath" and place in an envelope with your check and mail to PO Box 1253, Lafayette, Indiana 47902 today. The new membership forms to be supplied by BOW now feature a check off block “Wabash & Erie Towpath.” Individual membership is $15.00.

3. MARKERS AND DIRECTIONAL SIGNS

a) Wabash River Heritage Corridor River Road markers are now available and being distributed by Ron James to Corridor counties. They measure 18" x 24" and introduce the Wabash River Heritage Corridor route. WRHC Commissioners have made these available to trail people interested and may contact Ron James for details. Great for placing as close to the Wabash River as possible, these markers will not necessarily be for use on U.S. or State highways. [A space is provided in the lower portion that will accommodate our blue and white 18” x 6” directional Canal Boat sign.]

The WRHC Trail 18” x 24” markers will be forthcoming. They are intended for trail heads such as the one in Allen County. These will also be utilized at places along major roads to mark where the WRHC Trail crosses. Contact Ron (Email at execdir@wrhcc.in.gov) for details.

The WRHC Community markers are 18” x 24” intended to be used at the entrances of communities who wish to promote their relationship with the WRHC. Contact Ron for details.

b) Directional Towpath Trail "Canal Boat" silhouette sign, 18 " x 6" now be utilized on the Towpath as a directional banner sign in Carroll County and planned for use across Wabash County uses a decal “arrow” to point travel direction. Pre-drilled holes make these easy to attach to the lower portion of the WRHC River Road markers. Dan McCain has agreed to serve as a clearing house to collect requests for these signs. Sign coordinator Brian Stirm will be asked to order the 18” x 6” signs once quantities and costs are determined. Ron James will ask his Commissioners at their upcoming May 14^th meeting (to be held in the Old Log Inn, Warrenton, Indiana, in Gibson County) for sign quantities needed per county. The idea is to learn how many the counties wish in the aggregate and then place one large order to receive the lower costs of end-bracket pricing. In those Canal Counties not included in WRHC, the Canal Society of Indiana has agreed to make the availability of directional “Canal Boat” silhouette sign known to its members in those counties not included in WRHC.

c) "Towpath Sign" is patterned after the above signs now being considered by Dawn Ritchie's Towpath Trail group in Allen County. Several designs have been proposed and Roger Goodland noted that no decision had been made according to Dawn Ritchie.

4. TRAIL MANUAL

Report on the progress of a Workbook or Manual recommended by Rory Robinson as a first step explaining the case for our mission to connect/mark a trial along the Wabash Erie Canal Towpath and Wabash River. A Questionnaire draft to be designed by Ron James and a draft of the Situation Analysis by Tom Castaldi was distributed for discussion. Ron James suggested that because each step of driving directions are included in the description separated by bullet points, each point now may be expanded to become its own page in the Manual. The page should include: 1) a map of the area with urban areas no larger than 3 or 4 blocks while in rural areas increments of 3 to 4 miles should mark both the a Driving Trail and/or a Walking Trail; 2) information about land ownership; 3) to make certain that the marked trail connects properly with obstacles and with adjoining map routes.

It was noted that a major benefit of such a manual will serve as a first step to create an identity that people begin to understand that we have something positive going on here.

5. MEETINGS

Mark your calendar for our July 16, 2008. Unless otherwise announced we plan to meet in the History Center, 302 East Berry Street, Fort Wayne. [Follow U.S. 24 or Jefferson Street into Fort Wayne, and at Lafayette Street turn north and go to the 3^rd stop light and turn west on Berry Street. In one half block look for a left turn into the Allen County Fort Wayne Historical Society’s History Center’s parking lot. A Fall meeting is tentatively scheduled for November 19, 2008.

6. MEETING ADJOURNED