ANDERSON — The recently formed Madison County Parks and Recreation Board is moving forward with plans to construct the county’s first public recreational trail.
The board Thursday voted to hire the engineering and architecture firm of Burgess & Niple to start the process of inventorying county infrastructure and looking for the best place to start construction of a trail.
“The work will be done in stages,” board member Tom Bannon said. “This is starting the groundwork process. The first project is critical because it will show county residents what our plans and goals are.”
Ben Orcutt, president of the board, said Burgess & Niple has experience designing and building trails.
“We’re looking at several areas, starting by looking at the White River corridor,” he explained. “The long-range plan is to connect with existing trails.”
County Engineer Jessica Bastin said the first step is a feasibility study that could take as much as nine months to complete. She estimated that the first trail will be under construction in 2026.
“We want to connect with communities in the county and with local residents,” Orcutt said. The board took under advisement proposals for mission and core values statements with the intention of forming future partnerships.
The proposed mission statement includes challenges to the board to develop new assets for the county and residents, to improve the overall health of residents and to enhance local quality of life.
“To enrich the quality of life of our residents through a parks system designed to promote exploration, imagination and recreation,” the proposed mission statement reads.
Local resident Helen Wean said she would like to see trail-related activities developed, including mini-marathons in Anderson and other county communities.
Resident Alice Spangler wants the park board to provide educational opportunities through a park system for local residents. She also suggested the board focus on the use and preservation of natural resources.
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