Canal Towpath Trail Meeting Recap 11/06/2008

Wabash & Erie Canal Towpath Trail Chapter
Big Four Depot Lafayette, Indiana, 1:30 p.m. History Center
Hosted by Wabash River Enhancement Corporation
RECAP

1. OPENING REMARKS
Several Chapter members had scheduling conflicts and could not be in attendance and we appreciate their providing advanced notice or representative. Meeting was opened with a thank you by Tom Castaldi to the Wabash River Enhancement Corporation for hosting the meeting, providing refreshments and document copying; Lisa Iversen for maintaining our blog site; and Allen County Fort Wayne History Center for copying meeting agendas.

2. MEMBERSHIP
Take time now to write a check for your $15.00 membership dues. A copy of the Banks of the Wabash, "Invitation to Join" can be found on our blog site: wabasheriecanal.blogspot.com. 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 Banks of Wabash, PO Box 1253, Lafayette, Indiana 47902 today. Don’t forget to mark “Wabash & Erie Towpath Chapter in the memo portion of your check that credits us with your membership and goes toward our earning a seat on the board of directors.


3. MARKERS/SIGNS
The "Towpath Trail" signs for directing folks along the Wabash Erie Canal route. We have a series of markers being developed.
1. Wabash River Heritage Corridor “Community” markers are intended for villages, towns and cities along the Wabash River to herald their river-centric history. They are used in addition to the usual city limit signs or club postings on existing posts or kiosks. These are being placed by the communities with the help of the River Commissioners from each county. Ron James has inventory “in stock” for requests.
2. Wabash River Heritage Corridor “Trail” markers are intended for multi-use trail heads and along major roads to mark when crossing Wabash River Heritage Corridor (WRHC) multi-use trails. – Ron James has the artwork and is awaiting ‘demand’ for production.
3. Wabash River Heritage Corridor “River Road” markers are intended for use as an introduction to the Corridor. Intended for use on already existing roads more or less parallel to the river, these can be used at major intersections and route heads. Preferably, the routes chosen will be suitable for biking and ‘Sunday’ driving (i.e. not highways). To the extent we want to get something out to the public, and can parallel the canal towpath, these signs are now available through your WRHC River Commissioners – check the WRHCC website for your county’s contact information.
4. Wabash Erie Canal “Towpath Trail” directional signs are for byway routes in each county along roads that closely follow the historic canal towpath. Quotes have been received for counties to begin ordering. Prices are available in various quantities for the sign which measures 6 inch high by 18 inch wide, blue background, on 0.08 gauge aluminum material, “Engineering Grade” surface, double – sided Wabash & Erie Canal Towpath Trail using the colorful logo. A copy of the new directional sign is available.



50 signs: $17.05 each or total cost of $ 852.50.
75 signs: $14.44 each or total cost of $1,083.00.
100 signs: $13.00 each or total cost of $1,300.00.

Directional Arrows come separately since it will be left to the people mounting the signs to determine which way the arrow should point and how many may be needed. These have been quoted as 4 inch by 4 inch in size and there are 10 arrows in each package. The example given by the vendor, notes that a quantity of 5 packages at $9.50 cost $47.50.

4. TOWPATH TO TRAIL QUESTIONNAIRE.
Committee members: Dawn Ritchie, Stanton Lambert, Dan McCain, Derek Reuter, Dan White. Rory presented a draft design used in the National Park Service’s, Towpaths-to-Trails publication that Rory designed and prepared in 1995. for a comprehensive to assist in exploring the risks and opportunities of creating a trail. Responses from persons responding to the questionnaire will be important for producing a Workbook/Manual as a first step explaining the case for our mission to connect/mark a trail along the Wabash Erie Canal Towpath and Wabash River. It will provide a feel for the concerns of both private and public people/institutions/organizations/businesses to learn where a path might be routed. Rory mentioned that the Ohio Erie Canal Towpath has about three gaps of ten miles each. Some parts are well defined but in heavily populated areas it is virtually impossible to follow the original rout. We want to access where or where not a towpath trail is feasible.

5. QUESTIONNAIRE REVIEW
Bob Schmidt’s sub committee to create a list of contacts to send the questionnaire including WRHC Commissioners, County Historians and selected persons along the corridor familiar with canal and river history are: Carolyn Schmidt, Ron James and Tom Castaldi. It was suggested that in the canal counties not a part of the WRHC should request a representative from the county commissioners.

Once the document has been finalized it should be sent and returns analyzed. Rory will work out the details of where the questionnaires will be returned and suggestions for creating a data base to collect and interpret the responses.

6. TRAIL WORKBOOK/MANUAL
Ride, River and Roam, The Wabash Erie Canal Towpath Trail Inventory and Assessment Manual” Data collected from the survey questionnaire will be used to produce the manual. It will take the cooperation people from each county to complete the information required including: maps, land ownership; connection concerns and standards for trail continuity.

7. NEW BUSINESS
Bernie Dahl requested for a copy of the prototype manual for review. The manual has been prepared to explain the overall plan, risks and opportunities as well as illustrate what by roads most closely follow the Wabash Erie Canal Towpath between Fort Wayne and Terre Haute. He is interested in exploring possibilities of gathering information for his university lab class. Such a project might produce a design manual that would include an inventory of necessary work, design of a typical trail head, and other pertinent factors that may be helpful when taking the project to counties for review.

Rory Robinson suggested that a copy of the Ohio and Erie Guidelines may be available for the Wabash Erie Canal project.

8. MEETING ADJOURNED
Our next meeting will be in the Spring in Wabash, Indiana. A date is being targeted for March.


Tom Castaldi
Wabash Erie Canal Trail Moderator

Next towpath meeting November 6 in Lafayette

Mark your calendar

November 6, 2008

... and plan to be part of the Fall Meeting of the Wabash Erie Canal Towpath Trail Meeting a Banks of the Wabash Chapter.

Meeting Place: Big Four Depot in Lafayette, Indiana

Meeting Time: 1:30 pm

Discussions will include progress with:

1. The "Towpath Trail" signs for directing folks along the the Wabash Erie Canal route...
2. Towpath to Trail Questionnaire design...
3. Progress with list of reviewers for the Workbook
4. Ride, River and Roam, The Wabash Erie Canal Towpath Trail Inventory and Assessment Workbook ...
5. Other business that may come before the group.

Have you sent your $15.00 membership to Banks of the Wabash marked "Wabash & Erie Towpath Chapter" in the memo portion of your check?

Send it today to: Banks of the Wabash, Inc., PO Box 1253, Lafayette IN 47902-1253.

Your membership and participation is helpful to the cause... thanks for taking part!

Click here for directions to the Big 4 Depot:
http://www.eventective.com/USA/Indiana/Lafayette/59708/Big-Four-Depot.html

July 17 Wabash Erie Canal Towpath Meeting Recap

Wabash & Erie Canal Towpath Trail Chapter
Allen County Fort Wayne Historical Society, 1:30 p.m. History Center
Hosted by Allen County Fort Wayne Historical Society, July 17, 2008
RECAP

1. OPENING REMARKS
Attending were: Jim DeVinney, Mark Dickmeyer, Roger Goodland, Dave Hacker, Jennifer Hotchkiss, Stanton Lambert, Dan McCain, Derek Reuter, Dawn Ritchie, Rory Robinson, Ivy Teders, Bob Schmidt, Carolyn Schmidt 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 a thank you by Tom Castaldi to the Allen County History Center for providing a meeting place and to Lisa Iversen who maintains our blog site.

2. MEMBERSHIP
Members were reminded that 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: wabasheriecanal.blogspot.com. 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. Individual membership is $15.00.

3. MARKERS AND DIRECTIONAL SIGNS
Wabash County ’s Mike Beauchamp who could not attend the meeting due to another business commitment but sent a message asking for the status of the Directional Towpath Trail "Canal Boat" silhouette sign, that measures 18 " x 6". Wabash County is ready to mount directional signs. During the meeting, members adopted the new oval Towpath Logo that was designed by the City of Fort Wayne Public Works for use on the Towpath Trail in Allen County . Carroll County expressed an interest in obtaining decals of the oval logo to replace the current “canal boat” design on the Carroll County Towpath Trail. Note: the “Canal Boat Silhouette” term is changed to “Towpath Logo” sign.
Dawn Ritchie agreed to investigate the likelihood of Fort Wayne ’s Public Works supplying a quantity of the oval Towpath Logo signs. (Note: following the meeting, Dawn was asked to learn if Public Works could supply an 18” x 6” sign with the “Towpath” oval logo on the left side and a space for an arrowhead on the right.) Previously, Dawn advised the group that the artwork for the oval logo is available for use on signs, markers, brochures and those places a logo might be used to identify our effort.
Corridor Commissioner Hacker of Huntington County gave a review of the new Wabash River Heritage Corridor River Road markers being distributed by Ron James to Corridor counties. These measure 18" x 24" and introduce the Wabash River Heritage Corridor route and ideal for placing as near the Wabash River as possible. These markers will not necessarily be used on Federal or State highways. A space is provided to accommodate our blue and white 18” x 6” directional Towpath logo signs.
Yet to come is an 18” x 24” WRHC Trail marker intended for trail heads and along major roads to mark where the WRHC Trail crosses. Contact Ron (Email at execdir@wrhcc.in.gov) for details.
Another WRHC Community marker measuring 18” x 24” is designed for entrances of communities who wish to promote their relationship with the WRHC and also is available. Contact Ron for details.
Rory suggested that purchase of signs is an ideal project for raising funds for the project.
Derek asked for a recommendation for spacing between Towpath Logo directional signs. Dan replied that the larger WRHC signs will work well as an entry way with the Towpath Logo. Then a directional sign is needed for each turn right or left and spacing between seems to take care of itself. Long stretches might use a reminder, perhaps as important is obtaining county approval to post the signs. In Carroll County , permission was given to use county road sign posts and worked very well. Dan noted that in Carroll County has developed a “byway” for bikes and cars along appropriate roads, and a walking trail within the Wabash Erie Canal Park system.

4. TRAIL MANUAL
Rory Robinson reviewed the importance of the group producing a Workbook as a first step explaining the case for our mission to connect/mark a trial along the Wabash Erie Canal Towpath and Wabash River . It will provide and inventory of the corridor and what is to be done: 1) preparing a map of the route 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) providing information about land ownership; 3) making certain that the marked trail connects properly with obstacles and with adjoining map routes; 4) determining ownership issues; 5) investigating trail identity concerns; 6) marking accesses; 7) listing user facilities; 8) listing current partners as well as other pertinent action points. Such a manual is vital for grant writing and aiding community officials and the public to better understand the mission. Note: to begin moving the project forward, a ‘corridor,” for a driving/biking route has been written and available on the blog site.
A next step is to draft a questionnaire to be sent to key persons along the corridor. Rory will email a copy of the questionnaire that was used in the National Park Service’s, Towpaths-to-Trails publication that he prepared in 1995. A committee of Dawn Ritchie, Stanton Lambert, Dan McCain, Derek Reuter, Dan White agreed to provide feed-back for Rory’s review to create a final questionnaire for our purposes.
Meanwhile a second sub-committee will work on the names of contacts to send the questionnaire such as WRHC Commissioners, County Historians and selected persons along the corridor familiar with canal and river history. Bob and Carolyn Schmidt will be aided by Ron James and Tom Castaldi in the effort.

5. MEETINGS
Our next meeting will be in the Fall in Lafayette , Indiana . A date is being targeted for November. More information will follow.
2008 National Trails Symposium, Little Rock , Arkansas , November 15-18. Rory Robinson will be taking an active part in this conference. For information go to www.AmericanTrails.org/2008

6. MEETING ADJOURNED


Tom Castaldi
Wabash Erie Canal Trail Moderator

Next Meeting: Wednesday July 16 in Ft. Wayne

NEXT MEETING - Mark your calendar and plan to be with us on Wednesday, July 16, 2008, in the "Summit City" when we meet in the Allen County Fort Wayne Historical Society's History Center at 1:30 p.m.

The History Center is conveniently located downtown Fort Wayne at 302 East Berry Street. [From the west traveling east, follow U.S. 24 or Jefferson Street into Fort Wayne, and at Lafayette Street turn north and go to the 3rd 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 History Center's parking lot. Traveling from the East heading West, U.S. 24 in Washington Street. Turn north on Lafayette Street and go to the 2nd stop light and turn west on Berry Street. See the History Center in one half block on the left side of Berry Street.]

Our meeting host is the Allen County Fort Wayne Historical Society.

Our Agenda:

1. Opening Remarks

2. Membership: "Banks of the Wabash Chapter" renewal memberships were due in April as our "anniversary" month but it's not too late and your renewal is appreciated. When you do submit your $15.00 individual membership to Banks of the Wabash ( PO Box 1253, Lafayette, Indiana, 47902) don't forget to mark it "Wabash & Erie Towpath."

3: Markers/Signs:
a) Progress Report of "River Road" markers to be used to introduce the Wabash River Heritage Corridor (WRHC) route. These signs are now available through your WRHC Commissioners or for more information contact Ron James.
b) Wabash River Heritage Corridor Trail markers will be forthcoming. These are intended for trail heads and along major roads to mark when crossing the WRHC Trail.
c) Progress of Directional Towpath Trail "Canal Boat" silhouette Banner signs for use to direct trail users through Wabash County are being planned and already in place in Carroll County.
d) View the new "Wabash & Erie Canal Towpath Trail" sign approved and planned for use in Allen County.

4. Trail Manual: Our Situation Analysis draft reveals each step of the driving directions highlighted by bullet points. Each point now may be expanded to become its own page in the Manual. Each page should include: 1) a map prepared for use as both a driving route and or a walking trail of the area in increments of 3 to 4 miles while in distances of only 3 or 4 blocks in urban areas both; 2) background and current information about land ownership; 3) assure that the marked trail connects properly addressing obstacles and meeting adjoining map trails.

5. Adjournment

Purdue Professor Receives Citizen of the Wabash & National River Hero Awards

Bernie Dahl, Program Chair of Landscape Architecture, Purdue University College of Agriculture, and a current director and past president of the Banks of the Wabash, Inc, was the recipient of the 2008 Citizen of the Wabash award presented by the Wabash River Heritage Corridor Commission and one of five national winners honored Sunday evening at the 2008 National River Rally held in Huron, Ohio.

The Wabash River Heritage Corridor Commission’s Citizen award honors those who have provided exemplary service to the Corridor Commission’s vision and mission while River Network’s annual River Hero award celebrates rivers and those who protect them by recognizing some of the victories and honoring those who provide the Network with leadership and inspiration along the way. The award is open to any individual board member, staff, volunteer or private citizen) who has successfully worked with a river conservation organization to improve a river and its watershed and who over the years has made a sustained contribution to the conservation of the river. Click here for a list of past recipients.

Caption: Ron James, left, executive director of the Wabash River Heritage Corridor Commission, presented the 2008 Citizen of the Wabash award and introduced Bernie Dahl, a Banks of the Wabash director, and program chair of Landscape Architecture at Purdue University's College of Agriculture, as he received National River Hero honors.

Professor Dahl was already a hero among Indiana’s river networks. As Ron James, Executive Director of the Wabash River Heritage Corridor Commission said in nominating Dahl for a 2008 River Hero award, “Bernie casts a wide net of river-centric activities but is being nominated specifically for his efforts with the Banks of the Wabash, Inc., an organization which has as its mission to preserve, enhance and promote the significant historic, cultural, recreational and archaeological resources of the Wabash River Corridor and to improve the quality of life in communities along the corridor, create regional identity, pursue economic advancement and promote heritage tourism. Bernie was a significant force in this organization’s creation and served as its president for the last decade; during its explosive growth as a regional river non-profit.”

Kenneth Einselen, President, Banks of the Wabash, Inc., says of our Hoosier River Hero Award recipient “Bernie Dahl has invested his life and career in the Wabash River . . . [his impact] upon the Wabash River, the lives of his many students, and that [‘spreading influence’ among] many communities today and in the future cannot be measured.”

Dahl's work as program chair for a top 10 landscape architecture school, has broadened his influence to more than 1000 graduates over a period of nearly 35 years. Purdue has allowed him to meld his passion in community assistance and service learning projects. Over the past 20 years Dahl, through this program, has conducted over 150 projects in over 120 communities with the overwhelming number proposing improving watersheds through public enhancement. Many of the communities are targeted because they traditionally would not engage the services of a landscape architect. This enabled Dahl, and the Purdue classes he lead, the opportunity to educate communities of 560 to 130,000 about the benefits of the preservation of the riparian corridor, the maintenance of filters, and the broader mission of the entire corridor.

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

Next Meeting: April 30 at Honeywell Center

NEXT MEETING - Check your calendar and make sure you have our April 30, 2008, prominently marked!

We'll begin at 1:30 p.m. and meet in the Honeywell Room on the first floor. Make a note that the Honeywell Room is upstairs from the Nixon Room where we have been located. Once again we're being hosted by the Charlie Creek Foundation.

Our Agenda:

1. Opening Remarks

2. Membership: April is our anniversary month to renew our Banks of the Wabash membership. A copy of the "Invitation to Join" can be found on this site. Print out the handy "Membership Categories" section, complete the form, mention "Wabash Erie Canal Towpath Trail" and place in an envelope with your check and mail to PO Box 1253, Lafayette, Indiana 47902 today.

3. Markers/Signs Discussion: For use by interested counties.

a) Progress of "River Road," 18" x 24" marker to introduce the Wabash River Heritage Corridor route, which can serve as a master marker program that introduces an approaching "Water Trail, " "Heritage Trail," or "Towpath Trial." Ron James has been obtaining quantity requirements, quotations and production of the "River Road" program.

b) Progress of "Canal Boat" silhouette sign, approx. 18 " x 6" Towpath banner used in Carroll County by Dan McCain and proposed for use across Wabash County by Mike Beauchamp.

c) Progress of "Towpath Sign" patterned after the above signs now being considered by Dawn Ritchie's Towpath Trail group in Allen County.

4. Trail Workbook/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 designed by Ron James and a draft of the Situation Analysis by Tom Castaldi will be discussed for revisions and suggestions going forward.

5. Future Meetings:

Discussion. Because our previously planned March 13th meeting was canceled due to a scheduling conflict, the April 30th date was selected. The second meeting was recommended for July 10th in Fort Wayne and a third for November 19th in Delphi. It appears that the July 10th will be moved to Wednesday, July 16th. However, the November 19th is still the tentatively scheduled time. Inputs for meeting dates are welcomed.

6. Adjournment.