Editorial: More trails, more connections

The Editorial Board
Embedded in the metal posts, lights shine down on the newly opened Coal Line Trail bridge over the St. Joseph River in South Bend, seen here on Dec. 16, 2023.
Embedded in the metal posts, lights shine down on the newly opened Coal Line Trail bridge over the St. Joseph River in South Bend, seen here on Dec. 16, 2023.

This is part of an occasional series of editorials focusing on people, places and programs that enrich the South Bend community and make it a better place to live. Submit suggestions for deserving subjects of future editorials at vop@sbtinfo.com.

Two recent Tribune stories had us thinking about the value of outdoor spaces made for walking, running, biking — and just being a part of a community.

In the first story, South Bend officials marked the completion of the second phase of the Coal Line Trail, which extended it from Riverside Drive across the river to connect with a trail system along State Road 933. The first phase of the trail, which opened in November 2022, runs from Lincoln Way West to Riverside Drive.

The Stephen J. Luecke Coal Line Trail, newly named for the former longtime mayor, joins an impressive list of area trails where the appearance of spring-like temperatures is sure to bring out a diverse sampling of the population: young and old, cyclists, runners, dog walkers and shufflers alike. Luecke, who was recognized for his advocacy for the city's park system, noted that developing a trail system that runs the full length of the river was part of taking more advantage of the river —"this beautiful asset."

Chris Vandenbossche, left, and Laura Haigwood walk across a newly opened pedestrian bridge on the Stephen J. Luecke Coal Line Trail. Up to about 30 years ago, trains used to cross the bridge carrying coal to power the campus of the University of Notre Dame.
Chris Vandenbossche, left, and Laura Haigwood walk across a newly opened pedestrian bridge on the Stephen J. Luecke Coal Line Trail. Up to about 30 years ago, trains used to cross the bridge carrying coal to power the campus of the University of Notre Dame.

The second story noted the approval of the first phase of the construction of a plan to build a designated pedestrian and bicycling route between downtown South Bend and the University of Notre Dame's campus. The project, which will connect downtown to campus with protected bike lanes, is set to begin in April.

The obvious theme here is connection: Connecting trails, connecting different parts of the city, connecting people in those neighborhoods. And that's in addition to the well-known health benefits — both physical and mental — associated with outdoor activities.

The Coal Line Trail's construction is 80% funded by the federal government and 20% funded by the city of South Bend. The university, South Bend taxpayers and the Hotel-Motel Tax Board will split the entire $11.5 million projected cost of the pedestrian and bicycling route.

It's hard to put a figure on the value of trails to the community and the people who live there, but a comment from a South Bend resident, in a discussion of the Coal Line Trail a few years before work on the trail began, sums up what investments in amenities such as trails say about a community. “It changes your perception of a town," Michelle Gloss said in a 2018 Tribune story. "It looks like you care.”

Editorials represent the opinion of the Tribune Editorial Board. Its members are Audience Engagement Editor Alesia I. Redding, Enterprise Editor Cory Havens and Executive Editor Ismail Turay Jr.

This article originally appeared on South Bend Tribune: South Bend's Coal Line Trail further connects community.

Advertisement