Project Description
The Fort Wayne Urban Trail is envisioned as a multi-use pathway positioned between the sidewalk and the street, built at the same elevation as the sidewalk. It will extend along sections of Superior Street and Harrison Street, as well as Washington and Broadway, reaching all the way to Electric Works. Portions of the trail have already been completed along Harrison Street and Superior Street, near Promenade Park and the Landing. Future segments will expand into neighborhoods surrounding downtown. Refer to the map below to see the trail route and current progress.
This ten-foot-wide path will feature decorative pavers, landscaping, and various amenities. Native plants, rain gardens, trees, public art, seating, lighting, bike facilities, and outdoor dining areas will make each section of the trail a destination in its own right. The trail will attract people, whether they're walking along it or enjoying the view from a nearby restaurant, patio, or balcony.
Revitalizing areas along the trail will stimulate investment in nearby businesses and the community. Business owners along the Indianapolis Cultural Trail, which serves as a model for the Urban Trail, have credited their success to the increased visibility and prestige the Cultural Trail brought to their locations.
Benefits of the Urban Trail
Community development builds capacity to take advantage of opportunities, find common ground, and balance competing interests. It requires both a conscious and a conscientious effort to do something (or many things) to improve the community.[i] The Urban Trail epitomizes community development. It is free and accessible to everyone and it encourages interaction between people who might not otherwise meet, deepening empathy and understanding.
[i] Frank, Flo. “The Community Development Handbook: A Tool to Build Community Capacity.” Published for Human Resources Development Canada. 1999
The Trail will contribute significantly to the activation of Harrison and Superior Streets. This can be quantified through economic indicators such as vacancy rates, number of new businesses, property value increases, and tax revenue increases within one block of the Trail.
Studies show that people who are interested in biking but concerned about safety are ten times more likely to travel on a separated trail than in a typical bike lane. The Urban Trail will afford space for people traveling at different speeds using different modes of transportation. In addition, reduced road widths translate to reduced driving speeds, leading to fewer and less severe accidents. Active, well-used spaces also encourage natural surveillance, which contributes to reduced crime and a sense of personal safety.
An active lifestyle leads to improved mental and physical health and reduces incidence of diabetes, obesity, and heart disease. Walkable, safe, and attractive environments naturally foster physical activity. In fact, the higher a community’s WalkScore, the less likely its residents are to be overweight. Connecting the Rivergreenway trail system to downtown and making it easier to access downtown locations without a car will make our community healthier.
As the cultural center of a diverse region, emphasizing the interrelatedness of community destinations strengthens our identity. For visitors, the Trail is a universal form of wayfinding. Visitors might not know where the trail leads, but the distinctive design allows them to explore with confidence. Indianapolis was surprised to find that the Cultural Trail, in and of itself, drew people to downtown and made the city more attractive for conventions. See the Cultural Trail Case Study, below, for a profile of the Cultural Trail.
