LaGrange County Trails
LaGrange County Trails is developing a 17-mile multi-use trail along the former Wabash Railroad Corridor in southwest LaGrange County, with construction expected to start in late 2026 following the land purchase this year! The Hawpatch Trail will connect Topeka, Millersburg, and Wolcottville.
Join us for a Haystack Dinner!
SATURDAY, AUGUST 23, 2025
3:30 PM – 7:00 PM
TOPEKA FIRE STATION
3:30 PM – 7:00 PM
TOPEKA FIRE STATION
180 CROSSFIRE DRIVE, TOPEKA, IN 46571
All proceeds go towards the development of the Hawpatch Trail. Following the former Wabash Railroad Corridor, the Hawpatch Trail project represents a total investment of nearly $18 million and will be completed in five phases. The LaGrange County Community Foundation received $5 million to help fund the development of phases 1 & 2 of the Hawpatch Trail, at an estimated cost of $11 million. The initial phases will span 9.25 miles in and around Topeka.
WHAT’S HAPPENING:
- Haystack Dinner
- Silent Auction
WHY IT MATTERS:
Help us unlock a $225,000 matching grant for the development of the Hawpatch Trail from the LaGrange County Community Foundation.
Join us for a fun evening supporting the 17-mile Hawpatch Trail that will connect Noble, LaGrange & Elkhart Counties!
Community
Communities find improved connectivity through trail systems. A trail is a place that community members share, where they can meet and strengthen friendships and relationships. A trail can also serve as a focal point for a community for special events and as a gathering place. Activities can lead to greater interaction between residents and improve the community relationship. Communities that create inter-community trails find that they become one of their main attractions. Trail projects can help revive the local economy and establish a positive reputation for our community.
Health
People today live stressful lives, and staying active can relieve that stress. The serenity and nature on a trail is just the medicine we need to improve a person’s physical and mental health. Trails often encourage inactive people to become active and modestly increase the activity levels of already-active residents. Trails are especially important in areas where there is less opportunity for physical activity, which can lead to increased levels of depression and obesity.
Family
Children spend a good amount of their time indoors during the week, so walking or biking on trail is a perfect way to get them outside. Trails promote the beauty of nature to a child and help to protect it by controlled interaction. Preserving wilderness for future generations is teaching youth to appreciate and enjoy nature found in their own community. Kids love the sense of adventure and doing something new. Take the children in your life to the trail!
Safety
Walking and biking by themselves are both safe activities, but safety plays a large role in whether people choose to walk or bike. Most serious injuries and fatalities result from conflicts with motor vehicles, especially on narrow county roads with no bike lanes. Off-road trails provide a controlled environment keeping bicyclists and walkers physically separated from automobiles on the road.
