On September 4th, 2024 alongside Mayor Sharon Tucker, local residents, nearby business owners, and members of the City of Fort Wayne’s Public Works and Community Development divisions, we celebrated the exciting completion of the Liberty Mills Road Trail.
This new section of trail connects from Middle Grove Road to the intersection of Falls Drive and Coventry Lane. The .75-mile long extension connects southwest residents to several neighborhoods, businesses, churches, and the Village At Coventry, which provides convenient access to favorites like the Aboite Library, Kroger, and of course ice cream at Zesto.
“At 10-feet wide, the trail accommodates bicyclists, walkers, runners, and users with mobility aids, ensuring a smooth and safe experience for all. Additional features of the trail include a boardwalk, ADA curb ramps, retaining walls, signage, a park bench, pavement markings, and erosion control measures.
Construction of the project began in early 2023. The Liberty Mills Road Trail project represents a $1.49 million investment and was funded through the Coventry Lane Tax Increment Financing (TIF) District and a portion of the City’s allocation of American Rescue Plan Act dollars. The contractor was API Construction Corp. and A&Z Engineering designed the trail.
“Our greenways and trails provide opportunities for residents and visitors to enjoy all that Fort Wayne has to offer in a safe, fun, and family-friendly manner,” said Mayor Tucker. “I’m encouraged that the Public Works and Community Development divisions partnered on this project to add another important trail to our network. We’re committed to meeting the needs of the public by providing enhanced quality of life amenities that position our community for current and future success.”
Several property/business owners donated right of way for the trail. Partners included Frontier, John Diettrich Enterprises, Inc. (owner of Zesto Ice Cream), Dr. Fred and Christine Bokel of Fred E. Bokel, DDS, Family Dentistry, and Mark Hagerman, owner of the Aboite Corporation.
With the completion of the Liberty Mills Road Trail, it now connects to 17.75 miles of existing trails in Aboite Township. The City of Fort Wayne now boasts 103 miles of trails within city limits, contributing to a total of 144 miles in the Fort Wayne Area Trails network. “