PERU – A group of Miami County landowners are pushing back against a proposed 33-mile bike and walking trail along the Wabash River that would connect the cities of Wabash and Peru.
Construction on the Wabash River Trail started in August 2016 in Lagro, where a small portion of the pathway was completed, along with new amenities such as a boat launch, public restrooms and a pavilion.
Mark Frantz, an attorney who represents the trail-project organization, said the next section pegged for development is between Lagro and the city of Wabash.
Trail officials eventually plan to connect the pathway to the Nickel Plate Trail somewhere near Peru, but there isn’t a set route or a timeline for when construction would begin, he said.
But some landowners in Miami County are already pushing back against the trail proposal and taking steps to ensure the pathway doesn’t cross their property.
Attorney Dustin Kern said he represents the majority of landowners along the Wabash River between Peru and Wabash, and they are opposed to the path being constructed along the river on their property.
“Farmers and landowners have a lot of pride in their property and what they’ve worked for,” he said. “They don’t want people on their property. There’s a reason people live in the county. Most people want seclusion and don’t want people in their backyard.”
Now, Kern is asking Miami County officials to take steps to ensure the trail isn’t constructed near the river or close to the property owners who oppose the project.
On Monday, he approached the Miami County Board of Commissioners to ask they sign a pledge that they will not use eminent domain to take land to build the trail.
He also asked officials to prohibit construction of the path between the river and county roads, as well as within 1,000 feet of a residential or commercial structure.
Commissioner Josh Francis told Kern the board would look into the requests and indicated they would likely sign a pledge not to use eminent domain.
“I don’t have any problem with trails, but I think they should be done with some guidelines,” Francis said.
Trail attorney Frantz said his organization has no intention of building the trail where it’s not wanted.
“Where the trail goes will ultimately be up to which landowners are willing to allow the trail to be on their property, both in Miami County and Wabash County,” he said in an email. “We have indicated from the beginning that routing the trail will be a collaborative effort between willing landowners and city and county entities.”
Frantz said although they would like to build the trail along the river, the project could still move forward into Miami County if they can find willing landowners with which to partner.
“We will explore all possible routes where we have willing landowners,” he said. “The idea behind the trail is to connect our communities and draw people to the area. We believe we can still accomplish that goal even if the trail is not along the Wabash River.”
Frantz said the group has reached out to very few Miami County residents about constructing the trail, and any discussion about moving it into the county has been put on hold as they work to develop the pathway from Lagro to Wabash.