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Office of the Mayor
MEDIA RELEASE
Tuesday, September 5,2006
11:30 AM
Contact: Mikki Dobski, Director of Communications&Special Projects, 235-5855 or 876-1564
Carl Littrell, City Engineer, 235-5937
South Bend Breaks Ground on Riverside Trail
The residents of the Keller Park and surrounding neighborhoods have long dreamed a
place on the river where they could stroll in the evenings, take a morning jog, where children
could ride bikes, and where neighbors to could meet to enjoy the beauty of the St. Joseph River.
That vision is now becoming a reality, as Mayor Steve Luecke today joined City leaders, and
residents at Keller Park to break ground on Phase I of the new Riverside Trail.
"This is a project that has come to the forefront in our public discussions with residents
during our City Plan process, and we are excited to take the next step in fulfilling the vision of a
walkable, bikeable community," commented Mayor Luecke. "This trail will be part of an
expanding system of trails in South Bend that is not only enhancing fitness and quality of life in
our community, but also, as residents take advantage of these paths, will help to reduce pollution
from vehicle traffic, and make South Bend a Clean City."
Phase I of the Riverside Trail will extend on Riverside Dr. from the Angela St. Bridge to
Oakwood Blvd., and will feature a 10 ft. wide asphalt multi-use path that will allow users to
walk, run, bike, or blade along the 1.75 mile route. At the area between the Keller Park boat
landing and the tennis courts, where the bank is too narrow to accommodate the asphalt path, an
800 ft. long, 10 ft. wide, cantilevered concrete walkway will be installed on the bank, supported
by pilings. A 2ft. wide grass path will be left on the bank side for runners who prefer a softer
surface. The existing street lighting will be modified to also light the path, and other features
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will include decorative railing, benches and litter containers, and new sod and plantings to
complement the existing landscape. Some areas will also be selectively cleared to increase
sightlines to the river. Other amenities and aesthetic improvements will be added at a later date,
as funding becomes available.
"This is a great link for the 1st District to the rest of the community," stated Derek Dieter,
1st District Councilman. "We are excited to see this path become a reality, and see our residents
take advantage of pedestrian and bike accessibility from the north side all the way to NSB."
The Trail will be environmentally friendly, promoting physical and recreational activities
throughout the Trails pathway, will help to ensure the safety of bikers and pedestrians by
separating them from vehicle traffic on Riverside Dr., and also creates an alternative
transportation corridor for residents. "It's a short bike ride for me from my home in Keller Park
to the library, Century Center, County-City Building, Farmer's Market, my yoga class, bank and
favorite restaurants, shops and cafes in downtown South Bend," commented Kathleen Petitjean,
Keller Park Neighborhood Association Vice President. "The Riverside Trail will make bike trips
to South Bend safer and more accessible for families with young children as well as for folks in
motorized wheelchairs, skateboarders and in-line skaters. I can't wait for it to be finished!"
Phase I of the project has been awarded to LaPorte Construction, in the amount of
$1,718,221.07. 80% of that funding was provided by a grant from the Federal Highway
Administration's Congestion Mitigation and Air Quality Improvement Program (part of our
federal share of the gas tax). The remaining 20% ($343,644.21) is being provided from South
Bend's General Fund. Phase I is expected to be completed by late spring in 2007.
Mayor Luecke also announced that Riverside Trail Phase II is expected to begin next
spring, and will expand the path north along Riverside Dr. to the Darden Pedestrian Bridge,
bringing the total Trail length to 3.2 miles of walking/biking paths. The City has already been
awarded a Transportation Enhancement Activity Grant of$1 million, and a Michiana Area
Council of Governments (MACOG) grant of$400,000 for the project. Officials are working to
secure $300,000 in local matching funds that will be needed in order to complete Phase II in the
fall of 2007.
The City's commitment to a dedicated walking/biking trail system began in the 1970's
with the redevelopment of the downtown area to include connections to the river, at Riverglen
Office Park,Pier Park, Century Center,Bicentennial Park, and the East Race Waterway and
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Riverwalk. The completion of Riverside Trail will bring the total trail system to just over 11
miles.
Future expansions include connecting the Riverwalk to the Mishawaka trail system, from
IUSB to Logan St., and connecting the new multi-purpose path at the South Bend Regional
Airport eastward into the City. In addition, St. Joseph County expects to connect the northern
end of the Riverside Trail to the county's trail paralleling S.R. 933, from Roseland to the State
line.
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