Trail Talk, Issue 35: Stewarding for Safety

Last Updated on June 8, 2025 by Cass County Communication Network

Good land stewardship means ensuring the safety of all who access and enjoy the land. In north central Indiana, the all-volunteer group Friends of the Panhandle Pathway, Inc. demonstrated this commitment last year by partnering with local utilities and contractors to safely install a new gas pipeline beneath the Panhandle Pathway, a popular non-motorized recreational trail.

This underground pipeline transports reclaimed flammable gas from a nearby landfill to a regional storage facility for processing and redistribution. From there, the gas continues on to support other commercial uses.

To ensure public awareness and transparency, Friends of the Panhandle Pathway prioritized informing trail users about what lies beneath the trail at this location. The final step in the project was the installation of two warning signs, complete with emergency contact information.

With support from the Land Trust Alliance’s Indiana Organizational Impact Small Grant Program, the land trust made this possible in May by funding the design and installation of the signs, along with posts and hardware. Learn more about the trail at: https://www.panhandlepathway.org/

Photo below in file, courtesy of Friends of the Panhandle Pathway, Inc. Panhandle friends pictured in photo from left to right are Mike McClure, Steve McIntyre and Ron Simshauser.

SOURCE: Column from Friends of the Panhandle Pathway