The community has successfully completed the $225,000 matching challenge for the Hawpatch Trail, unlocking a total of $450,000 to advance early development of the project.
The LaGrange County Community Foundation received a $750,000 matching grant through Lilly Endowment Inc.’s Giving Indiana Funds for Tomorrow (GIFT) Phase VIII Initiative. Guidelines allowed the Foundation to designate up to 30 percent of the grant for a community project, and Hawpatch Trail was selected as that priority. As part of this commitment, the Foundation matched all gifts to the Hawpatch Trail Fund, securing $450,000 for early-stage development.
Phases 1 and 2 of the planned 10-mile trail in and around Topeka are expected to cost approximately $11 million, including land acquisition. About $3.5 million is still needed to complete these initial phases.
“I’m thankful for everyone in our community who supported this effort and believed in the Hawpatch Trail. Their generosity is bringing this project to life and will help create a trail that offers both recreation and safer connections for our community,” said Executive Director Octavia Yoder.
The Hawpatch Trail is envisioned as a 17-mile multi-use corridor connecting Wolcottville, Topeka and Millersburg, along the former Wabash Railroad corridor. The full project represents an estimated $18 million investment.
Progress on the trail is underway. Land surveying is complete, and land acquisition efforts are moving forward. Next steps include community engagement, trail design and engineering, continued fundraising, and preparation for construction.
“I’m excited about this momentum,” said Jeff Wingstrom, President of LaGrange County Trails. “This is a long-term project, but hitting this goal sets the tone for what’s possible when a community rallies around a shared idea.”
Gifts to support the project may still be made to the Hawpatch Trail Fund at the LaGrange County Community Foundation, the project’s fiscal sponsor. All contributions directed to the Foundation will be used exclusively for the Hawpatch Trail.
For more information about the Hawpatch, visit LaGrangeCountyTrails.org or contact the LaGrange County Community Foundation at 260-463-4363.
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