(FORT WAYNE) - A Fort Wayne company has donated land to support the future Poka-Bache Connector, a proposed regional trail linking northeastern Indiana communities.
The Fort Wayne City Council unanimously approved acceptance of a land donation from McIntosh Energy Company on Tuesday. The parcel, valued at about $80,000, is located at 10317 Bluffton Road, near the Fort Wayne airport and adjacent to a Sunoco gas station.
City Engineer Patrick Zaharako said the property will serve as part of the planned trail corridor and is expected to include a small parking area for trail users.
The Poka-Bache Connector is an 82-mile trail planned to run from Pokagon State Park to Ouabache State Park, crossing Steuben, DeKalb, Allen, and Wells counties. The project is being developed in segments as land becomes available.
Zaharako said trail projects of this scale take years to complete, with design and planning expected to last about two years. Construction on this section could begin in 2028 or 2029, depending on funding and approvals.
Organizers have previously said full completion of the Poka-Bache Connector could take 10 to 15 years.