FORT WAYNE, IND. (WOWO) Fort Wayne and the Indiana Department of Natural Resources marked the opening of a major 1.7-mile extension of the Pufferbelly Trail, closing a key gap in the regional trail system.
The new segment extends the Pufferbelly Trail to more than 13 miles, creating a continuous link to about 130 miles of connected pathways across the region. City officials say the expansion improves access to popular destinations, including the Fort Wayne Children’s Zoo, and strengthens the city’s broader trail network.
The extension was funded in part by a nearly $2.7 million grant administered by the DNR. The agency is leading what it calls the largest trail investment effort in Indiana’s history, aimed at expanding recreation opportunities and improving access to multi-use pathways statewide.
Local leaders and DNR representatives celebrated the project as a milestone for Fort Wayne’s active transportation system. The added mileage is expected to support increased pedestrian and bicycle use and advance long-term plans to connect trails across northeast Indiana.
With the new extension complete, officials say work will continue on future segments to expand the Pufferbelly Trail and strengthen regional connectivity.
