On the morning of Wednesday, June 7, the City of Portage gathered to celebrate the ribbon cutting ceremony for the Marquette Greenway Trail.
The Marquette Trail is one of three in the City of Portage, along with the Prairie Duneland Trail Head and the Iron Horse Heritage Trail. Once completed, the trail will be 60 miles long, running from Chicago, Illinois, to New Buffalo, Michigan. This ceremony recognized the addition of a mile-long connector piece over Salt Creek.
“This trail is going to be a blessing to people who want to get out and be in nature and will help our job opportunities as well,” Portage Mayor Sue Lynch said.
One of the biggest challenges for the community has been staying persistent through tough times and getting approvals for all the properties necessary for the trail.
“When the trails started, many people didn’t want them,” Lynch said. “They were concerned about them going through their backyards and people stealing from their garages. When we went through COVID-19, people were isolated and getting outside was a stress reliever. I think people now have a whole new appreciation for the trails.”
Community members have been envisioning this trail since 2003. With Governor Eric Holcomb’s signature on the new state budget, the Indiana Department of Natural Resources (DNR) will invest an additional $30 million into the state’s trails network. The signing brings a total investment of $180 million toward Next Level Trails, which contributed to the funding of the Marquette Trail.
“We see excitement for economic opportunities along the trail for recreation and new possibilities,” said Indiana DNR Director Dan Bortner.
Indiana Dunes National Park Superintendent Paul Labovitz considers the trail to be a positive amenity for the community.
“We are thick as thieves up here,” Labovitz said. “We’re investing public money into facilities that add value throughout the community. The public are provided a fabulous experience everywhere they go. We’re excited to continue our partnership with the National Park Service and the Indiana DNR.”
The ceremony also recognized the history behind the Sauk Trails Boy Scout Camp. In 1941, the Boys Scout Council acquired 115 acres of land on Salt Creek. However, the property was acquired by the National Park Service in 1962. The trail will honor the camp with a permanent wayside marker.
“This plaque will be placed about halfway down the new trail on an overlook,” said Portage City Councilman Scott Williams. “People will get a chance to look at the 150 agents that were widely used by scouts from all over Northwest Indiana.”
The City of Portage is anticipating the northern side to continue growing over the next few years, which played a role in planning the Marquette Trail. Director of Community Development A.J. Monroe will continue working towards implementing the reinvestment strategy of the trail with the overarching vision of providing lakefront access to everyone in the area.
Moving forward, the goal with the Marquette Trail is to become part of the national network of trails.
“If you live in Portage, you’d be able to ride a bicycle from your neighborhood to places like Washington D.C. or Seattle,” Labovitz said. “When you hit the Mississippi River, you’ll be able to go to New Orleans or the Canadian border. The trails will provide you with a lot of decisions to make.”
Labovitz also says that there are still some segments of the trail west of the park that are in planning and require some additional evaluation.
To learn more about the City of Portage, visit portagein.gov.
