VERNON, Ind. – The Indiana Department of Natural Resources (DNR) and the town of Vernon celebrated the opening of the Muscatatuck Park Trail last Saturday.
“Trails provide vital connections between people and the places where we live, work, and play,” said Dale Brier, DNR deputy director of community grants and trails. “This new trail in Vernon will help connect people with more outdoor recreation opportunities in their community, and we’re honored that DNR and Next Level Trails were able to partner on this project.”
The Town of Vernon constructed the 1.25-mile asphalt multi-use trail with help from a $1.86 million Next Level Trails (NLT) grant. The award was announced in February 2021 as part of the second grant round of NLT.
The new trail consists of two contiguous but distinct segments in the town of Vernon. A 0.5-mile natural-surface mountain bike and hiking trail connects Vernon to Vinegar Mill Overlook in Muscatatuck Park. Within Vernon, a 0.75-mile asphalt trail connects Vernon Gym to Vernon Commons, a historic park. Partners include the Jennings County Parks and Recreation Department and Jennings County Community Foundation.
NLT is the largest infusion of trails funding in state history. The $180 million program is administered by the DNR and facilitates critical trail connections within and between Hoosier communities. To date, 42 of the 89 NLT projects are complete, with over 115 miles of trail built since the program’s inception. An additional 17 projects are under construction, with many more slated to break ground this year.
“The citizens of the town of Vernon have been thrilled with this project and watched progress as it developed, and are ready to formally open it to the rest of Jennings County and the State of Indiana. They are especially grateful to the Jennings County Community Foundation, the Jennings County Park Board, the Jennings County Council, the Local Boy Scout Troop 541, and mostly to the Indiana Department of Natural Resources for making this a reality,” said Mayor Brad Bender.
