Madison County citizens express concern over potential trail
Madison County is planning a new trail along the White River between Anderson and Strawtown. But as IPR’s Thomas Ouellette reports, dozens of citizens that came to a public hearing on the project came with concerns.
Some questioned things like trail security and construction expenses. But for those like Alan Kilburn, it’s more personal – the trail might be in their front or back yards.
“Your decision is going to affect my lifestyle and these people’s lifestyles,” Kilburn said. “We didn’t buy our property to have other people walk behind us. So that is my point.”
According to the Madison County Parks Department, a number of houses have front yards that touch 8th Street and back yards that touch the White River, leaving very little space for the potential trail. Some residents worry the county will use eminent domain to seize the private property for public use.
Department President Ben Orcutt says that’s one tool, but the department has no plans to use it.
“It is on the table, technically,” said Orcutt. “It is none of our goals. It is none of our priorities. It is not what we intend to do.”
Not everyone who spoke was opposed to the trail. Bill Nagengast believes it would be a worthwhile investment for the county, so long as the parks department listens to the people’s concerns.
“They shouldn’t do it without solving the problems.” he said. “I’m totally in agreement with that. I’m with you. But if you see a great trail, and you see it done right, and you see it did solve the problems, it’s worth it.”
The department says a potential map of the proposed trail – which is expected to cost upwards of $15 million in total – will come after an engineering study.
There is currently no timeline on how long it will take to build the trail after a map is approved.
Thomas Ouellette is our reporter and producer. Contact him at thomas.ouellette@bsu.edu
