Second phase of trail opens

Bloomington Mayor John Fernandez officially opened Phase II of Clear Creek Trail Thursday, adding 0.8 mile to the existing 1.7-mile trail.\nPhase II extends from Tapp Road to That Road. Phase I travels south from That Road, crossing Victor Pike, to Church Lane connecting to the existing Bloomington Rail Trail, which is a gravel path.\n"We want there to be some variety among the trails in Bloomington," said Julie Ramey, community relations manager for Bloomington Parks and Recreation. "Clear Creek Trail is totally different than Rail Trail, even though they are connected."\nThe paved trail is 12 feet wide and available for walking, jogging, rollerblading, stroller walking, and is also wheelchair accessible.\nThe land for Clear Creek Trail was acquired through 12 separate purchases in 1997 with the City of Bloomington Utilities. The entire trail took just over $2 million to build. From the groundbreaking of Phase I in August 2000 to the finishing of Phase II last week, the trail took about three years to complete. The trail was built in two separate phases due to financial issues. A new grant was given for Phase II of the trail Oct. 17, 2000.\nSophomore Jamie Held is a frequent visitor of the Bloomington trails and is very excited to hear about the path's completion.\n"I went to Clear Creek Trail over the weekend and it was wonderful," Held said. "I think it's great that Bloomington is building more parks. It's something that a lot of people want."\nAccording to Bloomington Parks and Recreation surveys completed by Bloomington residents in 1996 and 2001, Bloomington parks and trails are in high demand.\n"We are trying to be responsive to our community," Ramey said. "We have put our recourses into the trails because it is what people want."\nThe bridge that overlooks the trail was built in the late 1800s to span a creek in Warren County. When the bridge was scheduled for demolition, a group called Friends of the Limestone County Trail came together and contributed $50,000 for the restoration of the bridge. The bridge was taken down, restored and put over Clear Creek Trail.\n"It's nice there is a bridge with some significant historical background, instead of a bridge that was built just to be built," Ramey said.\nThough construction on Clear Creek Trail is complete, the ultimate goal for Bloomington trails in general is not. Bloomington Parks and Recreation is trying to create alternate means of transportation for the Bloomington community.\nMick Renneisen, director of Bloomington Parks and Recreation, explained that considering environmental issues and lack of transportation for some Bloomington residents, alternate means of transportation through the city is something that needs to be done.\nJackson Creek Trail, which will be built in seven phases, will connect to Clear Creek Trail starting at Church Lane. With that added connection, three trails will be connected, providing people with an alternative to driving.\n"The city of Bloomington needs another way for people to get around whether it is jogging, walking, rollerblading or biking," Renneisen said.\nAs for Held, the trail may not be an alternate means of transportation, but she said she will still visit often. "The trail is beautiful. My friends and I plan on biking it this weekend," Held said.\nRamey said it's great that it is finished.\n"We hope that we see many new faces out there during the year. Bloomington Parks and Recreation wants everyone to take advantage of what these trails have to offer."\n-- Contact staff writer Monica Dix at mcdix@indiana.edu.