FORT WAYNE, Ind. (ADAMS) – Local leaders cut the ribbon on a significant part of the Pufferbelly Trail that runs from Ice Way to Washington Center Road.
The new 1.7-mile phase links the trail to nearly 700 businesses and restaurants, including Glenbrook Square Mall and SportONE Parkview Fieldhouse.
The City released the following:
On Wednesday, the City of Fort Wayne’s Public Works Division joined Fort Wayne Trails, the Indiana Department of Natural Resources, residents and business owners to mark the completion of the Pufferbelly Trail “Golden Spike” section from Ice Way to Washington Center Road, a $4.2 million investment.
This 1.7-mile phase of the Pufferbelly Trail is a 12-foot wide asphalt trail and provides connectivity to nearly 700 businesses, retail areas, restaurants and entertainment, including Glenbrook Square Mall, Glenbrook Commons, SportONE Parkview Fieldhouse and SportONE Parkview Icehouse.
The project also includes a trail hub rest area from landmark donors Brian & Kyla Zehr, a pavilion, a new traffic signal at Washington Center Road and Industrial Road, a bike repair station, accessible park benches and picnic tables, accessible drinking water fountains, information kiosk, historical and wayfinding signage, trash containers, dog waste stations, landscaping, solar-powered bollards, graphics, sidewalk connection on Washington Center Road and much more.
The trail was designed to be accessible for all abilities, meeting ADA and PROWAG requirements. Driveway crossings have a transition and ADA curb ramps were installed at street crossings. Accessible Pedestrian Signals (APS) were installed at all signalized intersections. Concrete pads for the park benches were constructed large enough for a wheelchair to be placed next to the park bench. Three picnic tables provide space for wheelchair accessibility. Drinking water fountains are accessible for people with disabilities and dogs.
The City of Fort Wayne received a nearly $2.7 million Next Level Trails grant from the State of Indiana for this project. The City’s non-profit partner, Fort Wayne Trails, contributed $300,000 in donor funds.
As part of the Pufferbelly Trail “Golden Spike” section, the previously announced Vann Family Crossing will be a pedestrian bridge that crosses Coliseum Boulevard/State Road 930, on the west side of Bob Thomas Ford (north side) and Mission BBQ (south side). The Vann Family Foundation provided a $5 million gift to assist in the funding of the future bridge. The bridge will provide a safe and aesthetic crossing of one of the busiest roads in Fort Wayne and northeast Indiana. The daily traffic count is 37,575 vehicles per day. The Vann Family Crossing is expected to be constructed in 2026 through the spring of 2027, pending all necessary approvals.
The trail and bridge are primarily constructed along the former New York Central Railroad Corridor and, when complete in early 2027, will connect 130 miles of existing trails in the greater Fort Wayne area; hence, the nickname “Golden Spike.” The Pufferbelly Trail is one segment of the 82-mile Poka-Bache Connector trail from Pokagon State Park in Angola to Ouabache State Park in Bluffton.
“The Pufferbelly Trail is a crown jewel in our community that connects residents and visitors to businesses and neighborhoods. It’s evident that the trail is a strong demonstration of how collaboration and teamwork can have a lasting and positive impact,” said Mayor Sharon Tucker. “As a people-focused mayor, I enjoy seeing individuals and families enjoying the excellent amenities that Fort Wayne has to offer.”
The following community partners helped make the trail possible: Reese Wholesale, CASS Housing, the Dettmer Family, JAT of Fort Wayne, 5830 Industrial Road LLC and Charles Downey donated right of way. Kim Wall donated two park benches. Stonefield Community Association donated two dog waste stations. Steel Dynamics Rail funded a future intersection graphic of Steam Locomotive No. 765 at Washington Center and Industrial Road to draw attention to the new Pufferbelly Trail Crosswalk. The Vann Family Foundation donated $5 million for the Pufferbelly Trail bridge crossing over Coliseum Boulevard that will be constructed in 2026.
This year the Public Works Division is investing $41.4 million in neighborhood infrastructure improvements, which includes the City’s trail system, to enhance the local transportation system and improve the quality of life for residents.
Most of the trails in City limits are planned, designed, constructed and maintained by the City of Fort Wayne, under the leadership of Mayor Sharon Tucker.
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