Comet staff report Seventy-five representatives from six counties gathered recently at the Canal Center in Delphi.

They came to mutually work toward linking communities and natural/scenic attractions. A Purdue landscape architecture class is coordinating these efforts under the direction of Professor Bernie Dahl. The process involved a local meeting in each county and then the full day session called a "charrette."

Enthusiasm prevailed among the representatives from outlying counties: White, Cass, Howard, Clinton, Tippecanoe, and Carroll (in the middle).

This effort started in Carroll County several years ago when the first Tourist Guide was printed. Brian Stirm had obtained permission from the County Commissioners to place colorful road signs on the county posts that directed the traveler to scenic and historic spots in the county.

Many of the participants declared that this Central Wabash Greenways charrette was great. One participant, David McCain, said the attendees "caught the spirit and enthusiasm of the potential for trails all over the six-county region."

Rory Robinson from the National Park Service chaired the charette. He specifically encouraged river and stream trail systems in the many things that participants were to identify and record on maps.

Another form of surface connecting comes from blacktop byways that already exist in all counties. The big challenge is to select blacktop low use roads that lead to scenic, historic attractions and are safe and enjoyable for motorists, bikers and hikers. Long term and possibly more difficult to establish is a network of hiking/biking trails using abandoned railbeds or other corridors to connect attractions. More involvement by landowners would be required with this form of transit.

Initially the county roadways might be marked for connecting Delphi Historic Trails to Prophetstown State Park.

Charette participants were involved all day and were treated to a meal sponsored by the Monticello/White County Chamber of Commerce.

The noon speaker was Ray Irwin, new Greenways and Bikeways Director at INDOT. Irwin was the former trail development director in Indianapolis. He left popular marks on the landscape, such as the Monon Trail from Fall Creek past Broadripple and north to Carmel.

The Purdue class is working on a semester project, and the outcome will be reported back to the six counties later in April.

This spring the Carroll County Tourism group is releasing a revised tour guide that will contain already marked byways that take bikers and motorists on back roads to Lockport/Georgetown, Cutler, and many points east, west, north and south. Watch for a copy of the new guide in about six-eight weeks.