Outagamie County Highway crews reached the city limits of New London on Wednesday, Jan. 21 as they continued their work on the Newton Blackmour State Trail westward from Seymour.
New London Parks and Recreation Director Chad Hoerth was enthusiastic about the trail’s progress.
“The Outagamie County Highway Department’s recent work was just one more step in getting our first connecting trail into New London,” he said.
When completed, the trail, on a former rail corridor along State Highway 54, will run for 23 miles in Outagamie County.
The trail’s name is derived from the four communities it passes through, New London, Shiocton, Black Creek and Seymour.
The trail also connects to the Duck Creek Trail that runs east towards Green Bay for five miles.
The fourteen-mile segment from New London to Black Creek is currently closed to all use while under development. Once it is finished it will be used for walking, bicycling, horseback riding, and snowmobiles.
A city owned rail spur could connect the trail from House Road into the downtown area.
Currently the city is waiting to hear back on a grant application for funding to rehabilitate the rail spur. If the grant is awarded, the trail will run alongside the rail spur. If the grant is not successful, the tracks could be removed, making room for the trail down the middle of the property.