The trestle bridge in Shiocton has been planked and a fence installed as plans for completion to the Newton Blackmour Trail proceeds. - Photo by Rick Cohler
By Rick Cohler, editor
Money has been granted to finish the Newton Blackmour trail from Black Creek to New London.
Outagamie County Parks Director Chris Brandt said the county has received notice from the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources that funds will be available. He said the official notice from the DNR is expected by mid May.
All rails and ties have been removed from the unfinished section and the state and Canadian National Railroad are expected to finalize the abandonment of one active crossing.
The Outagamie Highway Department was expected to finish decking and fencing the railroad trestle across the Wolf River on the west edge of Shiocton last week. Then, crews are likely to finish the trail between Shiocton and the bridge before working on other parts of the trail.
The trail, built in 2009, currently starts in Oneida with a segment maintained by the Oneida Tribe and called the Duck Creek Trail. The Newton Blackmour Trail runs through Seymour and currently stops at WIS 47 in Black Creek.
The trail is for snowmobiling, snowshoing, and cross country sking in the winter and walking, biking and horse back riding in the summer.
Amber Gloudemans, president of the Friends of Newton Blackmour Trail, said her group is excited about the completion.
“I think it will help bring our group together,” she said. Now, with the trail ending in Black Creek, it’s hard for people in Shiocton and New London to be enthusiastic about the trail when it ends in Black Creek.”
Gloudemans said the Friends hope to have information tables and signs in each community.
Brandt said there’s no firm timetable, but he expects the trail to be finished by the end of the year.
