About Us

The Vermillion Trails Alliance (VTA) was launched in the spring of 2017 by a group of local citizens.  Over the course of that first year we developed a mission, a vision and a strategic plan.  We also adopted a set of bylaws and became incorporated as a 501(c)3 non-profit.  We envision a prosperous Vermillion County that values healthy lifestyles, embraces a conservation ethic and respects our cultural heritage; a place where people are connected with the outdoors, and communities are connected with each other.  Our mission is to grow and connect the people of Vermillion County by expanding our network of trail and recreation opportunities.

Our initial focus was to gain control of an abandoned railroad grade across the Wabash River flood plain near Hillsdale, IN.  Our aim was to provide the continuation of the B & O Trail on one of only four pedestrian bridges across the Wabash River in Indiana.  A group in neighboring Parke County had recently installed a new deck on an abandoned railroad bridge over the Wabash River.  The bridge had been acquired and is owned by the Indiana DNR.  

Through a purchase, a donation of land and a transfer of land by affidavit, we acquired the entire abandoned railroad grade on the Vermillion County side and transferred full ownership to the Vermillion County Commissioners.  Starting with a grant of $150,000 from the Wabash River Heritage Corridor Commission, we added a lot of patience, persistence, hard work, the participation of many local volunteers, and some local donations.  We officially opened the completed trail segment with a ribbon cutting on September 24, 2022

In 2022, VTA was awarded a Next Level Trails grant in the amount of $1.1 million to extend the B & O trail across a creek and south to a trailhead at a public railroad crossing.  This exciting development will help to realize a long range collaboration with neighboring Parke and Vigo counties to link up trail segments in all three counties to establish a three county trail loop which could become a destination for trail enthusiasts.  VTA continues to identify opportunities to realize our mission to connect our communities and to connect our citizens to the outdoors.

Another focus is a rail to trail project with an associated Trailhead Park. . The Vermillion County Commissioners own a quarter section of land (the county farm) just south of the county seat of Newport, the southwest corner of which is occupied by the county jail, the humane shelter and a highway garage. The balance of the land is pasture and woodland and it is bisected by an abandoned rail bed.  At our request, the County Commissioners set aside 2 acres of the pasture land for development of a county park.  Over the course of 5 years we have established a parking area, a picnic shelter and a paved walking trail featuring native trees of Indiana along with a storybook trail, all of which are ADA accessible.  We have also converted the adjacent rail bed to a walking trail for a bit over half a mile with plans to extend it for another mile.  Our long range plan includes woodland trail loops connecting to the humane shelter, a naturescape playground, a nature discovery area and a prairie restoration.  This project has showcased the value and potential of trail development to the local community and it has been an extraordinary opportunity for collaboration and partnership among local groups and entities.