GREENWAY

the

InlandMarshInlandMarsh

Tucked away from the lakefront, InlandMarsh exists as an ecological gem with twowell-maintained loop trails totaling threemiles in length. The site consists of a largemarsh area with significant Oak-Savannahecosystem remaining throughout. There aretwo access sites along US 12, which willdirectly connect to the proposed route ofthe Marquette GreenwayTrail. The site is anexcellent location for bird-watching.

Nestled between Garyand Ogden Dunes andsitting at the southernmost tip of LakeMichigan,West Beachrepresents the NationalLakeshore’s onlylifeguarded public beach.The site consists of a600-car parking lot,restrooms, and a bathhouse with showers andlockers. During thesummer monthsWestBeach is an populardestination forsunbathers, and it isconveniently located atthe east terminus of theMarquette Trail.

NationalLakeshoreWest Beach

NationalLakeshoreWest Beach

THE MARQUETTE GREENWAY NATIONAL LAKESHORE CONNECTOR ROUTE

Prairie

-Dunel

andTra

il

ToPortage/

Hobar

t

Trail Development& PreservationThere are a host of options available in order todevelop and preserve a trail system whichaffords the maximum enjoyment andaccessibility to all users. The following topicsserve as an introduction to these options.

Spine & Spur RoutesOn the route detail map shown above, not onlyis the Marquette Greenway (MG) route defined,but so are a number of “spur” routes identified.These spur trails are located off the main route,or spine, in order to access destination areaswithin the corridor. These spurs link to placesof interest such as the Portage Lakefront andRiverwalk, the AmeriPlex development, and thecommunities of Ogden Dunes and BurnsHarbor. Any successful spine route is directlyrelated to how many spur routes can beeffectively linked to it.

TrailheadsAlong the proposed route, trail users will needto be afforded places to enter/exit and restalong the way. These places, called“trailheads”, are to be located based on therelative ease of finding services in proximity tothe trail, or where residential areas areaaccessed. Most of the trailheads will belocated where the main spine route intersectswith a major spur facility. Depending on thelocation, a trailhead will include a variety ofamenities such as restrooms, benches,bike racks, drinking fountains, informationalsignage/kiosks and trash receptacles. Inaddition, modest automobile parking(5-20 spaces) should be a considered toaccommodate trail visitors.

Trail SignageOnce constructed, the trail should be markedso that its route is clear. A standard trail markerfor the MG needs to be developed. Arecommended marker option, used on otherregional trails, is a plastic (carsonite) stakemarked with the MG logo.These stakes areplaced at regular intervals and at junctionsalong the trail. Keep the number of signs to aminimum as they detract from the user'soutdoor experience and are potential targetsfor vandalism and theft.Entrance signs should be placed at the MG

trailheads.These signs should include maps,trail distances, potential hazards, places ofinterest, instructions for using the trail, and thetypes of trail uses permitted.

LightingLighting for shared-use paths should beconsidered wherever low light or night usage isexpected, including areas serving collegestudents or commuters and at highwayintersections. Fixed-source lighting reducescrashes along shared-use paths and atintersections; and allows the bicyclist to seethe path direction, surface conditions, andobstacles. Roadways, bikeways, and walkwaysmay be illuminated in accordance withrecommended design values in the INDOTRoadway Lighting Design Manual and shouldmeet the standards of the International DarkSkies Association. Lighting off-road walkwaysand bikeways permits some freedom in systemand luminaire design.

Maintenance & OperationsThe maintenance of bikeways is closely linkedto bicyclists’ safety and the preservation of thebikeway function and investment. Poormaintenance can result in the accumulation ofsand, gravel, broken glass or branches; and thedevelopment of potholes, corrugations, andother rough surface conditions. Suchconditions often cause bicyclists to choosealternative routes that are also unsafe.Maintenance should be regarded as aninvestment in the bikeway and insuranceagainst repairs that can be costly.The majority of the responsibility in

maintaining the trail will fall on the localjurisdictional authority of a given trail segment.This includes local municipalities, with the vastmajority being assumed by the National ParkService. The City of Portage will assumemaintenance responsibility within theirjurisdiction around the marina and through theAmeriPlex development. It is recommendedthat Ogden Dunes partner with either theNational Lakeshore or Portage to delegatemaintenance authority on their segment of thetrail to ensure consistent upkeep with thelarger segments of the route.An abundance of resources are available for

developing and implementing a maintenanceplan.The Rails-to-Trails Conservancy haspublished "Rail-Trail:Maintenance &Operation" which serves as a best-practicesmanual and is an excellent primer on the topic.In general, this report estimated an averageannual maintenance and operations cost for anasphalt trail to be roughly $1,500 per mile.

Ecological ConsiderationsPromoting a route to avoid diminishing thenatural environment or the experience of theuser to the natural setting is key to establishinga critical balance between protecting resourcesand human enjoyment. A number of principlescan be applied which can minimize the impactof the trail to nearby sensitive ecologicalsystems. These include avoiding criticalwildlife habitats, building the route in locationsalready influenced by human activity, andproviding buffers to protect wetlands andstreams. In regards to the proposed route asshown on this map, virtually the entire lengthhas been located on property heavilyinfluenced by human activity. Thus a vastmajority of woodlands are replete with invasiveplant species, and to some extend, formerindustrial site remnants.Upon detailed trail analysis and engineering,

emphasis should be placed on re-establishingnative plantmaterials and usingminimally-evasivemaintenance practices to protect and enhance thesurrounding ecosystems.

greenways & bluewaysnorthwest indiana regional plan

EXISTINGTRAILS

SPUR ROUTES

NATIONAL LAKESHORECONNECTORTRAIL

TRAILHEAD

INDIANA DUNESNATIONAL LAKESHORE

BRIDGE

COLOR KEY

JURISDICTION TRAIL MILES ESTIMATED COST LIMITS

INDIANA DUNES COUNTY LINE ROAD ATNATIONAL EASTTERMINUS OFLAKESHORE MARQUETTETRAIL,

ALONG US 12TO OGDEN DUNES

OGDEN DUNES ALONG US 12

PORTAGE FROM OGDEN DUNES ON US 12,ALONG SR 249TOAMERIPLEX DRIVE

AMERIPLEX ALONG AMERIPLEX DRIVE(HOLLADAY PROP.) FROM SR 249TO

OLD SAMUELSON ROAD

INDIANA DUNES FROM OLD SAMUELSON ROAD,NATIONAL RUNNING ALONG LITTLELAKESHORE CALUMET RIVERTO

PORTER BRICKYARDTRAILAT HOWE ROAD

PORTER FROM HOWE ROADBRICKYARDTRAIL TO CALUMETTRAIL

START ON MINERALSPRINGS ROAD

APPROXIMATEBUILT DISTANCE& COST

THE MARQUETTE GREENWAYNATIONAL LAKESHORE CONNECTOR ROUTE PROPOSAL

�12

�20

PortageLakefront& Riverwalk

PortageLakefront& Riverwalk

Pavilion

Alternate Lakefront ParkAccess Option

Vincennes Ave

Stanton

Ameriplex Dr.

1

2

Dunes HwyNorfolk Southern RR

BurnsHarbor

149

BurnsHarbor

ArcelorMittal

8094

ArcelorMittal

US 12MarinaUnderpass

US 12MarinaUnderpass

BurnsHarbor

Chesterton

Porter

Portage

DuneAcres

Calum

et Trail

to

Michig

anCity

Indiana DunesState Park

NLake Michigan

49

Trail & Natural Settings

Trail by Roadway (US12)

Trail Head Detail

Marquette Greenway Trail Area Summary Report June 2009

Engineering &Construction CostsNumerous complexities exist regarding theeventual construction of the trail facility. Farfrom a simple ribbon of asphalt, projectestimates need to take into considerationdesign, engineering, environmental review,construction, and contingencies.Construction costs will involve site clearing,excavation, asphalt (base + surface), fencing,bridges, parking lots, and site furnishings(benches, trash receptacles, signage, etc.).Taken together these quickly add to theoverall costs, and in many cases, can escalatebased on variations in any of theabovementioned factors.The MG-NLCTrail will involve nearly all of

these elements throughout its estimated 9+mile length end-to-end. A table outlining theroute specifies in regard to mileage and costsassociated with that entity responsible forconstruction is shown at right.This figuresassume a rough estimate of $400,000 per linearmile, which is adjusted based on terraincomplexity and funding sources. If federal orstate monies are used, the costs will rise inassociation with additional reviewresponsibilities. The Ameriplex segment isexpected to be developed with private funds,and hence is less costly overall. All segmentsare assumed to be located where right-of-way isalready owned by the construction sponsor.It must be emphasized that these figures

below are strictly approximate, and onlythrough detailed field analysis will a true costestimate be correctly calculated. In addition, asmall stretch of the trail route may necessitatethe construction of a boardwalk due toexcessively wet soil conditions.

The Gaylord & Dorothy Donnelley Foundation Provided Generous Support for this Project

Marquette Greenway Trail Area Summary Report June 2009

ArcelorMittalArcelorMittal

NPS

NPS

PortagePublic MarinaPortagePublic Marina

249

Off-Rampby Marina

Trail to PassUnder SR 249Bridge at LittleCalumet River

Trail to utilize oldCrisman Road

Bridge over LittleCalumet River

Trail to utilize oldCrisman Road

Bridge over LittleCalumet River

Pavilion

Off-Rampby Marina

RiverwalkEnd

RiverwalkEnd

2000 ft

500 m

Trail to PassUnder SR 249Bridge at LittleCalumet River

This location, which is actually classified as a fen, is a remnant of the marsh systemthat once stretched from where the city of Gary is today all the way to Michigan City.Most of these wetlands were filled in years ago for industries, but severalspectacular sites — including Cowles Bog — have been preserved and are nowadministered by the National Park Service. The core of the Cowles Bog area is amarsh surrounding a small fen. Major features include interdunal ponds, marshes, astand of northern white cedars, forested dunes, foredunes, and open beach.Thissite represents a great way to experience several different habitats. There currentlyexists a significant walking trail system that consists of three loops routes totalingfive miles. A trailhead is shared with the western termini of the Calumet Trail onMineral Springs Road.

CowlesBogCowlesBog

2

1

PortageLakefront& Riverwalk

OgdenDunesGary

MarquetteTrailto Gary

ArcelorMittal

Port ofIndiana

AmeriPlex

NIPSCONIPSCOSR 149BridgeSR 149Bridge

Purchased by the National Park Service in 2004, this57-acre site of reclaimed industrial land has beentransformed into the newest jewel along the Indianalakeshore. Renovated using funds from the RegionalDevelopment Authority, this new site offers parking for 125cars, an accessible fishing pier, a riverwalk along BurnsWaterway, a rehabilitated breakwater, various hike/biketrails, access to the beach, and a 3,500 square foot pavilion.This project represented the first redevelopment initiativeas envisioned in the Marquette Plan. It is operated byPortage Parks through an agreement with the NPS.

LakefrontPavilionLakefrontPavilion

NPS

80

90

94

�12

�12

�12

�20

149

249

LITTLE CALUMET RIVER

AREA DETAILS

MarinaShoresBerm

MarinaShoresBerm

OldBridgeOldBridge ArcelorMittal

BurnsHarborWest

BurnsHarborWest

CalumetTrail

CalumetTrail

LAKECOUNTY

PORTERCOUNTY

MineralSpringsRd

Porter Brickyard Trail (2010)

NorfolkSouthernBridge

NorfolkSouthernBridge NPSS

ALT

CREEK

AmeriPlexDrive

Iron Horse Heritage Trail

AmeriPlexDrive

SamuelsonRoad

MarquetteTrail EastStart

MarquetteTrail EastStart NPS

NPS NPS

US 12US 12 ArcelorMittal

Northside RedevelopmentTrail Option