Bloomington trails to expand

When Bloomington residents were surveyed about what they wanted in their city, they requested more alternate transportation methods and ways to become physically fit.\nAs a result, the Parks and Recreation Department will extend already existing trails to run through downtown, starting along the abandoned railroad tracks.\nThe project has been in motion since 2003, but in her resignation speech on Monday, Sept. 19, former Board of Parks Commission member Mary Catherine Carmichael urged the City Council to speed the plan along and “take more risks.” \n“I think a fully-developed trail system is the best legacy we can leave our children,” Carmichael said. \nBy using grants the Indiana Department of Transportation provides, Bloomington can save up to 80 percent of building costs. However, going through INDOT takes more time than if Parks and Recreations were to build it themselves, Carmichael said.\n“I think it’s a shame that a 2-year-old will be 12 before the trail is done,” Carmichael said.\nCarmichael also said that if they use money from INDOT, Parks and Recreation must follow specific rules instead of building the trail however they want it.\nCarmichael said money is not necessarily an issue. She said Bloomington has $8.5 million in their reserve fund to work with on various projects, which is $2 million more than is recommended to have on reserve. Carmichael said the use of this “excess” money should go towards finishing the trails for the public since the money came from the taxpayers.\nCarmichael said she believes the trail could be built in five years or less if the “excess” money was used instead of following INDOT’s procedures. \nHowever, Dave Williams, operations director of the Department of Parks and Recreation, said it’s premature to assume there is any extra money. But Williams understands why some people would like to see the government use its own money for the projects rather than relying on grants, since they will have to reapply for funding for each step. However, Williams believes that since the project will already be started, the property owned and the plans made, receiving funding for each additional segment should be easier.\n“Most communities can’t come up with 80 percent to build their trails,” Williams said.\nBloomington has more than 27 miles of trails for walking, running, skating and biking and hopes to extend the Clear Creek Trail and the Rail Trail with the new B-Line Trail, Carmichael said. The B-Line Trail would run along the old CSX Rail Corridor that goes through the downtown area, adding 3.1 more miles of track. \n“When it’s done, it’ll be second to none as far as trails go,” Carmichael said.\nThe building and planning takes two years for each phase, but the first phase is already scheduled begin in early 2008. The first of four phases will run from Second Street to Rogers Street.\nThe extensions will make the trails more accessible to Bloomington residents, Carmichael said. Instead of being in the rural area of town, the trail will cut through the center of downtown, be well lit at night and shopping accessible. It is also intended to be both a fitness path as well as an alternate mode of transportation for those who prefer not to drive to work. \n“Our citizens are really interested in physical fitness, and their main exercise is walking, and they need a safe place to do that,” Carmichael said.