Trails improve health of citizens, economy

March 10, 2008

Fort Wayne has it all. Or at least most of it. We’ve got a low cost of living, beautiful neighborhoods, friendly people, a can-do attitude, and the list goes on. But something’s missing. Instead of receiving accolades for those traits in national media and surveys, Fort Wayne gets a bad rap, attracting attention by its large waistlines and low job growth as opposed to its charm.

As Fort Wayne endeavors to combat that unhealthy image, why can’t trails and sidewalks be included in every leader’s platform and every area development? After all, trails are an effective antidote to nearly all the issues plaguing us today: obesity, rising health care costs, attracting skilled professionals, economic development struggles, pollution, traffic congestion – you name it.
All over the country, small and large municipalities like Carmel, Toledo, Charleston and Portland have revitalized their urban cores and become attractive destinations by integrating bicycle and pedestrian transportation as a top priority in their development plans. Updated, enforced ordinances and championing of trails by our political and community leaders will bring these same benefits to Fort Wayne. And then Fort Wayne really will have it all.

Thanks to great visionary leaders and years of volunteer efforts, many steps toward a healthier, more vibrant city laced with safe and interconnected trails have already occurred. In the 1970s and ’80s, Fort Wayne’s Rivergreenway was one of the first multi-use trails in the state. In the past four years, key government initiatives have aligned with unprecedented grassroots, volunteer efforts. Most recently, Aboite New Trails initiated the “Fort Wayne Trails: Rediscover Your Town” campaign on behalf of the city and two other non-profits – the Greenway Consortium and Northwest Allen Trails. As the first umbrella vision to give an identity to our area’s combined grassroots trail efforts, this initiative will unify trails within city limits into one network.

But here’s what’s not working: new businesses, restaurants and commercial and residential developments are still being constructed with no consideration for pedestrians. Isolated neighborhoods abound where parents have to get in the car to take kids less than a mile to practices and friends’ homes.

Volunteers are still plugging away to build one trail at a time, capitalizing on partnerships but forced to leave key gaps in an integrated network. Fort Wayne will better succeed in competing with other cities if it focuses on accommodating people, not just cars.
Walkable neighborhoods have a 35 percent lower risk of obesity. According to an April 2002 National Association of Realtors survey, trails rank as the No. 1 community infrastructure desired by home buyers.

Gov. Mitch Daniels, our state and congressional representatives, Mayor Tom Henry and our county commissioners recognize the need for infrastructure that facilitates active living and cuts down on pollution and congestion. It appears that our city and county councils and plan commissions agree with this as well. But we need a broad-based, authoritative commitment where actions follow up words – where ordinances, developer incentives and government-directed initiatives commandeer the action needed to make this really happen.

If all developments are treated equally and are required to provide safe connections to the trail network that has already been gifted to our community, Fort Wayne residents will be on their way to a healthier lifestyle and a more economically prosperous future. Preserving rights of way and building trails today along our roads and corridors will ensure a safer and improved way of life for all residents and future generations. Please, let’s not let another great vision go by the wayside. Let’s kick in the effort and urge our leaders now to make our communities walkable, vibrant and healthier