Latest News
If you would like to be kept informed of future projects, upcoming events, and trail happenings, sign up to begin receiving our e-newsletter.
Nickel Plate alert. The section from Lover's Lane to E300 North will have a tree service and big trucks on the trail, today: Sunday, 5/12. Please avoid this section today so we can get these dangerous leaning trees taken care of. Thank you!
A reminder to all the users of the trail, this is going to cut severely into our annual budget of which is only provided by donations, not State or Government resources. Also, volunteers have been working hours for several days already, we can always use more bodies to assist as well as finances!
Storm damage.
Many thanks to all the volunteers who worked on this cleanup.
Thank you to everyone involved in maintaining and now cleaning up the beautiful trail!
Storm damage.
Thank you to the volunteers that work so hard to keep the trail safe. We appreciate your dedication!
Thanks to all the volunteers 🙋♂️
Can anybody pick up the wood that is cut up and laying to the side of the trail? Was thinking of grabbing some for firewood. 🪵
Storm damage.
Do yak still need help cleaning up, particularly cutting? I have a friend who may be able to help, but I am out of town
Storm damage.
Stay safe working these blow downs.
Thank you to everyone involved in maintaining and cleaning up our beautiful trail.
Tornado?
Storm damage.
A lot of damage.. keep safe
Please be safe cleaning it up..that work can be dangerous…🙏🙏
Wallick Road spruced up for last weekend. Thanks Tim C.
Thank you & all who take care of this beautiful trail!
Are they going to build a house there
Thank you, Tim
The monthly meeting of the Friends of the Nickel Plate Trail is coming up Tuesday, April 30th 2024 at 7PM at the Streamliner Restaurant in Rochester, which is at the corner of 9th and Madison Streets. All are welcome! Come and see what's happening with our great trail.
What an interesting meeting tonight. It is amazing what all is being accomplished with just hard working volunteers. If you enjoy the trail please consider donating. And a special thank you to Dennis Grossnickle for buying everyone an ice cream sundae!🍨
More photos from Jackie and her camera!
Beautiful-looks like a place I’d like to be right now😊
Awesome pictures 📸
Celebrate Trails day is coming up Saturday, April 27th. We will have a table set up at the Breakaway Bike and Fitness in Peru from 11 - 2 on that day. Stop by and say hello. We will have some free stuff to give away as well.
Jackie, our trail photographer shared these photos from the flower box on the trail. Spring has sprung for sure.
NPT volunteers Tim and Bill spruced up the WALLICK ROAD trailhead yesterday.
Thank you Bill and Tim!
Thank's guys! I'll be back in June to help!
Thanks live on wallick on the corner of Ellis and wsllick
Thank you!
Thank you!
Thank you.
Thanks
Next Meeting April 30, 2024, 7PM at the Streamliner Restaurant in Rochester, 9th & Madison
Friends of the Nickel Plate Trail Meeting Minutes
March 26, 2024
Attendees: Mike Kuepper, Ted Cox, David Cota, Ron Mofield, John Cleaver, Dennis Grossnickle, Myke Wilson, Bill Shewman, Tim Gerardot, Doug Martin, Phil Hart, John Cleaver, Micah Johnson, Dan McCarthy.
Meeting brought to order by Mike at 7:01 PM at the old firehouse in Peru.
February minutes were approved.
Mike gave a brief rundown of our income and expenses for March. There wasn’t too much activity during the month of March. No questions. Ron motioned to approve the financial report, Dan seconded, motion passed.
Question: Why is it more expensive to buy a tire pump every year.
Mike gave a briefing on weed/brush control and what is planned for 2024. Ted and Tim discussed the intersection clearing and the effect on improved safety that this is providing. There is a huge difference that has been noticed since we’ve started clearing. Mike explained how we cleared under the Wabash bridge in the past and is asking for suggestions and volunteers to clear this area out this year.
Mike gave an update on the MAC trail. The paving should start around June 2024. The cost was around $1 million. We are waiting on the state for all the approvals. Mike is getting bids for fencing along the MAC trail to better define the property lines. Engineering is almost completed for the tunnel near Bunker Hill. The focus is now shifting to the extension from Bunker Hill to the Grissom Museum.
Dan discussed how to adopt a segment along the trail. There are spots open near Peru, and Rochester if anyone is interested. You can contact Dan McCarthy or go on our website to sign up for adoption. (Nickelplatetrail.org)
Dan brought up the challenges we have for loaning out tools and how to better serve the volunteers.
Dennis Grossnickle talked about the Porta Jon in Rochester. It is not known as of now whether we will be able to supply it this year. We are looking for ways to make this happen. In the past, we’ve had one from May to October. It was noted that riders from out of town really appreciate the availability of it. The approximate cost is 160-170 per month.
Mike spoke of the sign walls and how we can better get advertisers. Mike has different pricing from $90 to $5,000 per year. These signs are located from Rochester to Kokomo. To find out more, contact Mike Kuepper.
Dan discussed other ways to raise money. Example: organize a trail ride to help support, t-shirt sales. All help and suggestions are welcome.
There is a national trails day on April 27 that we could use suggestions on what we can do to boost this event. Contact Mike Kuepper.
If you need a ride from the Peru area for next month's meeting in Rochester, you can contact Phil Hart. (1st come, 1st serve)
Motion to adjourn by Ron, Dan 2nd. The meeting adjourned at 8:11 PM.
Respectfully submitted,
Ted Cox
Answer: Inflation
Thank you for the post! I have not officially adopted a section of the trail, so I'll have to look into that 😉
Critters on the trail. This little guy was basking in the sun while I rode by. Any herpetologists here to give us an ID?
Is this near Macy? I ran over one once--- thump thump.
Harmless Garter Snake.
A garter snake. One of the snake species that gives birth to live young.
Don't remember it, but it looks like a garter snake.
Nope rope!
Aww we were on the trail yesterday and didn't see any 😔 Normally we see garters & rat snakes
I saw a similar one on the Nickelplate heading south out of Peru!
I would have screamed I am terrified of snakes
Garter. At this time of year probably looking for a mate.
We ran 12miles beginning in Rochester to the north...only wildlife we saw was the resident Greeter it stayed with us for over a mile and was back at its original spot when we returned (Snake would have been cool too)
Gary Smith Judy Burkhart Marilyn S. Kimsey remember this?!
Pet the snek
Garter
Maintenance and Warnings
Storm Damage Update: Ryan Oglesby is working late tonight to remove the trees deemed too dangerous for our volunteers to tackle! Thanks Ryan for your quick response!#NPTalert
Thanks to all the volunteers who keep this trail up and running. I think people underestimate the amount of time and effort that goes into keeping this trail free, clear, and running smoothly.
NPT volunteers hard at work maintaining the Wallick Road trailhead yesterday. Thanks Tim and Roxanne!#NPTalert
UPDATE 5-10-24: THANKS TO A LONG DAY OF HARD WORK BY OUR VOLUNTEERS, THE TRAIL IS NOW OPEN! There is still lots of small debris on the trail surface. We hope to have the debris cleared tomorrow morning. Trail users be alert! #nptalert
NPT UPDATE: Due to major storm damage the trail section from Lovers Lane north to CR 300 North is impassible. Our volunteers are working hard to clear this section but it will likely be 2 to 4 days of hard work before it's cleared. #npt ALERT
So sorry that I can't be there but let this be a shout out to all who use the trail! ALL maintenance is provided by VOLUNTEERS! Please consider being a part of this effort now and in the future, thanks 🙂 A huge Thank You to those who have already responded!!!!
When did it storm?
The NPT volunteers are AMAZING!! 🌟🌟 Thank you so much!
Thks! I'm sure the Section Hands had their fare share of this too back when the rails were operational. My grandfather was one.
All of your hard work and time spent is truly appreciated.
All efforts are much appreciated. Thank you!
Thank you to all the volunteers!
Thank you volunteers !
Stay safe everyone 🙏
Thanks for all the hard work
Thankyou for your hard work!
Taylour Stewart - maybe for Chris.
Linda Painton
Thank you to all the volunteers! You are appreciated!
THANK YOU for all the volunteers!
Thank you to all those helping
Wow, thank you volunteers.
Thank you!
Thank you!
