A Vigo County bike park that honors members of the military is adding a trail for veterans with disabilities.
The 300 acre Griffin Park in Terre Haute was dedicated in 2016. It's named for Dale Griffin, who was killed in Afghanistan. There's a memorial to Griffin, and photos of Indiana soldiers killed since 9-11 line the bike trails at the park.
"We really want to honor our veterans and give them something to do," says Rich Moore, the bike park's manager.
There was a groundbreaking this week for what's being called the Warrior Trail. It will run along a lake and be six feet wide in order to accommodate off-road wheel chairs and tandem bikes.
The wider trail will increase accessibility to the park, since most trails are currently just wide enough to accommodate a single bike, says Moore.
"I think it's going to open more doors for including more bikers out here," Moore says. "And that's really what's important. We really just want to get people on bikes and share with them our passion."
The idea was inspired by Charles McDonald, a one-armed rider who frequents the park, Moore says. McDonald highlighted a trail in Richmond, Virginia that is accessible to the disabled, he says.
"He started sending me links on what we could do and got me videos for the Richmond place in Pocahontas State Park and I just wanted to go with it," Moore says. "And that's been the beauty of me working here, if I get a wild idea they let me run with it."
Michael Wells is an executive board member at the Heroes New Hope Foundation, which works with wounded veterans. He says the foundation will be able to use the trail as part of the hunting, fishing and outdoor excursions they host for veterans.
"The bike park is one of those additional things we're going to add to our program and we're excited about it," Wells says.
All the materials are being donated and volunteers are doing all the work. Moore says he hopes to have the Warrior Trail complete by spring.
