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Adopt a Segment of the Trail
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Contact us with an update on your section of the trail.
Nickel Plate Trail, Inc. is a volunteer-driven, not-for-profit organization. Because of this, supporting and maintaining the Nickel Plate is a community effort.
Without the help of volunteers, we would not be able to maintain this wonderful community resource. This work brings along with it a great sense of accomplishment, knowing you have contributed to keeping these trails open for all to enjoy!
What is Trail Adoption?
All that is required to adopt a trail segment is that you be at least 18 years of age and have a genuine concern for the well-being of this wonderful resource. Individuals, families, school and youth groups, scout troops, churches, community and service organizations and business are all encouraged to adopt segments of the trail to monitor and maintain. Each adopter regularly visits their segment to check the condition of the trail and perform basic trail maintenance. Rule of thumb: Do what you can, and report needs you can’t deal with. Taking on the stewardship of a trail is a privilege and it is important that the adopter take the responsibilities of maintaining the trail seriously.
How is a segment defined?
The trail has been divided into 27 segments. Most segments are one to two miles, but some are as short as 1/2 a mile. Most segments have fairly easy access at both ends, usually public roads.
What is involved in monitoring and maintaining?
Monitoring basically means letting us know the general condition of the trail and identifying any problem areas. Let us know if there are pot holes, if the trail has been vandalized, if signs need to be replaced, etc.
Maintaining activities include keeping the surface free of sticks, rocks and other debris, pruning small limbs from the trail, cutting back encroaching vegetation, and litter clean-up.
What tools are needed?
Generally, the only tools you will need are long-handled bypass loppers (pruners), a rake, a weed eater and a pair of good gloves.
How do I get started?
Select a section of trail that still needs to be adopted from below and fill out an adopt a section application.
South Section
| Segment | Adopted By |
| 1/2 mile Walnut – Main St. | John & Julie Schwartz |
| 1/2 mile Main – Riverside | |
| 1/2 mile Riverside – 300 | |
| 1 mile 300 – 400 | Monica Hollars |
| 1 mile 400 – 500 | |
| 1 mile 500 – 600 | Bill and Donna Percy |
| 1 mile 600 – 3rd St. (Bunker Hill) | Bill and Donna Percy |
| 1 mile 3rd St. – 800 | |
| 1 mile 800 – 900 | Tim Finster |
| 1 mile 900 – Blake (Miami) | Philip Hart |
| 1 mile Blake – 1150 | |
| South 1150 – IN 18 | Kathy Snyder |
| 1 mile IN 18 – 1350 | |
| 1 mile 1350 – Cassville | |
| 1.5 miles Cassville – Trailhead at US 35 | Tamra Howard |
North Section
| Segment | Adopted By | |
| 2 mile Lovers Lane – 300 | Ron Mofield | |
| 2 mile 550 – Denver (Emmon) | ||
| 1 mile Emmon – 800 | Kris Main | |
| 2 mile 800 – 1000 (Deedsville) | ||
| 1 mile Deedsville – 1100 | Pat O’Neil | |
| 1 mile 1100 – Birmingham | Jeff Kassebaum | |
| 1 mile Birmingham – 1350 (Macy) | Bill Wilson | |
| 1 mile 1350 – 1500 | Doug Martin and Bill Shewman | |
| 400 S to 1500 N | Kevin Kennedy | |
| East County 300 South to 400 South | Joel Wilson | |
| Wabash South to East County 300 S | Teresa Houser, Alan Fulton, Vicki Onstott | |
| Wabash North to Wabash South | Ted Cox | |
| 1 mile Wabash North- Mitchell Dr. | Kevin Kennedy |
