Upland is to receive a $200,000 grant to fund a greenway and trail head from the Indiana Department of Natural Resources, creating the first recreational trail in the town.
The Town of Upland, Upland Area Greenways Association and the William Taylor Foundation at Taylor University have come together to make this grant possible. The grant also requires a $50,000 match that will be met by the William Taylor Foundation.
The greenway and trail head will not be connected to the Cardinal Greenway in Marion and Gas City, but will begin at the southeast corner of the Main Street bridge. The mile-long trail will head east and then south, running parallel to Taylor’s campus, according to organizers.
Ron Sutherlannd, Upland Area Greenways Association President and Special Assistant to the President at Taylor University, the greenway will enhance the quality of life for Upland residents and create more recreational opportunities.
Jim Garringer, public relations director at Taylor, said the trail will provide a biking and jogging space for students on Taylor’s campus too.
“The new trail will add outdoor recreation opportunities for not only our students but the rest of the town. The addition of this trail is a great development for our hometown,” Garringer said.
“We believe the establishment of this trail demonstrated Upland’s commitment to attract great people and organizations to consider our wonderful community,” Sutherland said.
Sutherland added that the grounds surrounding the future trail will put Upland’s beauty on display for residents and students, and its success could result in more trails in the future.
Construction is scheduled to begin in the summer of 2018.