LAGRANGE — Supported by strong community participation, the LaGrange County Community Foundation has fulfilled the $225,000 matching challenge for the Hawpatch Trail, securing $450,000 to further the project’s early development.
The LaGrange County Community Foundation received a $750,000 matching grant through Lilly Endowment Inc.’s Giving Indiana Funds for Tomorrow (GIFT) Phase VIII Initiative. Guidelines allowed the Foundation to designate up to 30 percent of the grant for a community project, and Hawpatch Trail was selected as that priority. As part of this commitment, the Foundation matched all gifts to the Hawpatch Trail Fund, securing $450,000 for early-stage development.
Phases 1 and 2 of the planned 10-mile trail in and around Topeka are expected to cost approximately $11 million, including land acquisition. About $3.5 million is still needed to complete these initial phases.
“I’m thankful for everyone in our community who supported this effort and believed in the Hawpatch Trail. Their generosity is bringing this project to life and will help create a trail that offers both recreation and safer connections for our community,” said Executive Director Octavia Yoder.
Progress on the trail is moving forward. While the land acquisition process continues, the anticipated next steps include completing broader community engagement, and advancing trail design and engineering work. In parallel, fundraising efforts will continue, and early preparation for future construction in 2027.
“I’m excited about this momentum,” said Jeff Wingstrom, President of LaGrange County Trails. “This is a long-term project, but hitting this goal sets the tone for what’s possible when a community rallies around a shared idea.”
Gifts to support the project may still be made to the Hawpatch Trail Fund at the LaGrange County Community Foundation, the project’s fiscal sponsor. All contributions directed to the Foundation will be used exclusively for the Hawpatch Trail.