Pennsy Trails is growing. The 400W-600W section will connect to Cumberland, Irvington, and Ellenberger Park.
The 400W-500W property was in part donated by the Town of Cumberland & Washington Village Apartments, and also purchased with DNR funds. The trail design was completed by First Group Engineering and constructed by E&B Paving Inc funded by a federal Transportation fund. The 400W-500W section is now open to the public.
400W trailhead will be the site for environmental education for adults, scouts, students and families. Currently the trailhead has a gravel parking area and will be paved for handicap accessibility in the spring. Ben Palmer has constructed an outdoor classroom for his Eagle Scout project. It will provide a space to support the 3rd grade Life Sciences Curriculum and the Boy Scouts Environmental Sciences scout badge required for the Eagle Scout Project. The area was cleared of honeysuckle by Boy Scout Troop 115, Elanco corporate workday, and our dedicated volunteers. The educational signs are being developed by Pennsy Trails board members with the help of Hancock County Master Gardeners and will be constructed and erected by Wagner signs.
The 500W-600W section is in process. Hancock County purchased this section and will be constructed with DNR funds from the Next Level Trails grant. The environmental review was completed by Mary Ann Wietbrock. She is a Master Gardener, Master Naturalist, consults with the United States Geological Survey team, worked on the Sugar Creek Watershed Project, and consulted with local agencies on the local Doe Creek Ditch. The design has now been completed by WSP. The trail will be constructed by Hancock County Highway employees in the spring.
