(2-5 years): Figuring out whether there are enough cash resources, partners, and public desire for a proposed stretch of trail. How much does it cost? Each mile of trail averages between $800,000-$1.2 million.
(3-6 months): Let’s take a serious look at this proposed section, and determine whether there will be any obstacles. Is there a wetland, or a creek? Which side of the road will have the greatest benefit, and least impact? What is the grade? Are there resources like mature trees we’d like to work around? The partners in the project visit the site several times with engineering experts, to determine how best to create the new trail.
(6-12 months): Once the Pre-engineering decisions are made, experienced engineers will survey and create the construction plans or “blueprints” for the actual project, taking into consideration all of the questions addressed above.
(3-6 months): Projects that are being completed by municipalities and/or using public resources from local, state, and federal sources must follow statutes regarding open bidding for these projects.
(1-2 years): With a final plan and the funds in place, the partners can approach property owners to acquire the needed permission to proceed with the project. This includes the purchasing of right-of-way or donation by property owner, the granting of easements, and so forth.
(6-9 months): The construction phase includes relocating utilities as needed and installing the trail. Building a trail requires the same preliminary work as building a road.
(3-6 months): Once the trail construction is completed, the entire project gets a face lift, with fresh grass seedings, landscaping and trees as called for in the specific project, benches, signage, etc.
CARROLL ROAD TRAIL – FAIRGROUNDS TO LIMA ROAD
LAKE AVE TRAIL – N COLISEUM BLVD TO REED ROAD
MAPLECREST ROAD SOUTH – STATE RD 930 TO SEILER RD
CARROLL ROAD TRAIL – BETHEL ROAD TO MILLSTONE DRIVE
CARROLL ROAD TRAIL – LIMA RD TO SHEARWATER RUN
FRANKE PARK ROAD AND BRIDGE IMPROVEMENTS
LINCOLN HIGHWAY TRAIL – GREEN ROAD TO MINNICH ROAD
Completed Phases: 
Current Phase: On Hold/ Redesign
Project Owner: Allen County, NewAllen Alliance, Fort Wayne City Utilities, Fort Wayne Parks, Fort Wayne Trails Inc
Description: A 10′ wide trail will extend from the Leo-Grabill Sports Complex in Grabill to the north side of Haifley Ditch, along the railroad corridor to Springfield Center Rd. and continue on the west side of Roth Rd. to the entrance of Hurshtown Reservoir. This is a part of the NewAllen Alliance Stellar Portfolio from 2019-2023. Allen County is finalizing an agreement on who will lead the design and ROW acquisition for the project.
Plans are 75% complete. This product is on hold due to funding and right-of-way issues.
Updated: September 2025
Completed Phases:
Current Phase: Right of Way Engineering
Project Owner: City of Fort Wayne Public Works
Description: This is phase 1 of a 2-phase project. This trail will be an 8-10 foot trail connecting from the Jackson R. Lehman YMCA to just north of Bridlewood Dr on Maplecrest Road.
Received 95% plans and engineer’s estimates on 5/9/25. Beginning appraisal problem analysis and then appraising. Buying ROW could begin in January for 25 parcels (three of which will be donated)
Updated: October 2025
Completed Phases:
Current Phase: Survey
Project Owner: City of Fort Wayne Public Works
Fort Wayne Trails Activities:
Description: This is phase 2 of a 2-phase project. This trail will be an extension of the Maplecrest Road Trail north to St. Joe Center Rd. 8-10ft wide trail will run along the north side of Stellhorn Road from the entrance of Northwood Plaza by Pizza Hut to the AEP transmission line by Eicher Drive. The trail will then run north along the AEP transmission line to the YMCA and St Joe Center Road. This project planned on using a service road that AEP had planned on building during their transmission project on this corridor. AEP is wrapping up their transmission project in October. Survey work has been ordered with design planned to begin in 2025.
Updated: September 2025
Completed Phases: 
Current Phase: Construction
Project Owner: City of Fort Wayne and Fort Wayne Trails Inc.
Fort Wayne Trails Activities: The most important section of trail in our community’s history will soon be built. A critical 1.6 miles of the Pufferbelly Trail is needed in order to connect our trail system. Currently, there are approximately 85 miles of trails south of Coliseum Boulevard, and approximately 30 miles of trails north of Washington Center Road. Much like the “golden spike” that completed the transcontinental railroad and allowed the country to connect from east to west in the 19th century, our “golden spike section” will create a network of 115 miles of interconnected trails. At its completion, all but 10 miles of our county-wide system will be interconnected. Fort Wayne Trails is fundraising for the local matching dollars needed for this project. The City of Fort Wayne will build this connecting section of trail between Washington Center Road and the Glenbrook Shopping area. The project will include a crossing at Coliseum Boulevard and a sidewalk to Glenbrook Square.
The City of Fort Wayne has received a $2.7 million dollar Next Level Trails grant for this project. Currently working on the right of way and appraisals. Pursuing condemnation with two final parcels, finalizing landscaping, amenities, and trail hub design.
Work started in the summer of 2024. Clearing is complete. The pipework, stone subbase, and trail brought up to subgrade between Coliseum and Washington Center. The contractor will begin work along Washington Center starting 1/2/2025. The contractor plans to begin working along Lima Rd by the end of January 2025.
From April to August 2025, contractor will complete trail excavation, storm utility work, concrete prep work, concrete foundation work and be finished with Washington Center Road. Contractor hopes to begin paving in June.
Paving and concrete work is complete. Working on final grading, restoration and installation of signs, bollards, amenities and striping in the final two months..
Updated: October 2025
Completed Phases: 
Current Phase: Bidding
Project Owner: Allen County, Fort Wayne Trails Inc
Fort Wayne Trails Activities: Fort Wayne Trails is acting as a partner and project coordinator for Allen County trail projects, and has successfully advocated for county funding during 2018 for engineering. Parkview has donated funding for this project as well. This will be a 10′ trail on the north side of Union Chapel Road, from the existing trail west of Auburn Road to the Life Bridge Church Trailhead and Pufferbelly Trail, just west of Corbin Road. Engineering studies have been completed. Parkview has donated $90,000 to help with trail construction. In January 2025 NACS voted to donate the remaining right of way to Allen County. In agreement for the donation of the ROW, Fort Wayne Trails has committed to assist NACS with a sidewalk connection from the trail with a new crosswalk in front of Maple Creek Middle School. The sidewalk eliminates concerns from the school board for a safe connection to the school.
This project is being broken into two phases from Life Bridge Church to Coldwater Road and Coldwater Road to Auburn Road. Continuing to identify construction dollars for Phase 1.
Phase design work is now complete with bidding happening in October 2025 for 2026 construction.
Updated: September 2025