September 10, 2007

Whitewater Walk to Showcase the Proposed Scenic Byway

Metamora, Ind. – Community activists in five Indiana counties and one Ohio county will participate in the Whitewater Walk, September 23-30.  This is the second year for the Walk and there are two exciting changes. In addition to increasing awareness of the proposed Whitewater Canal Scenic Byway, the event will also raise funds for specific local projects.

“We are excited that the event has grown to include Union County,” said Candy Yurcak, the Walk’s Regional Coordinator and Co-Chair of the Whitewater Canal Scenic Byway Steering Committee.  Once again the walk will bring together communities along the Whitewater River to celebrate the region's rich history, scenic beauty, and raise the level of awareness of the benefits of regional collaboration. 

The Whitewater Walk will start in Wayne County (IN) on September 23, 2007.  Union County(IN) walkers will begin on September 25 and join other walkers in Franklin County(IN) on September 27th.  All walkers on the Indiana side will join walkers from the Ohio side on September 29th in Harrison, Ohio.  Together walkers will follow the path of the Whitewater Canal from Harrison to Elizabethtown, Ohio.  At Elizabethtown walkers again split; Ohio walkers following the east fork of the Whitewater Canal through Cleves and onto North Bend and the Ohio River.  Indiana walkers will follow the west fork of the Whitewater Canal to Lawrenceburg and end at the Ohio River.

Again this year, fundraising is an important part of the Walk.  “We are thrilled that the funds raised in each county will support a local project,” said Brenda Todd, Economic Development Group, Connersville. “The walk is supporting the needs of small and large communities throughout the valley.”   

Local projects will receive all proceeds from the walk:

•Union County - Union County Economic Development

•Fayette County - Fayette County Community Education Coalition

•Franklin County - Whitewater Canal Trail and Whitewater Valley Regional   Interpretive Park

•Wayne County - Milton School Restoration Project

•Hamilton County, Ohio - Cleves Tunnel Restoration Project

“Today, there is a movement to leverage the region’s tourism, arts, culture, and heritage assets to spur new economic and community development opportunities through heritage tourism,” added Mary Lou Smith, President of the Harrison(OH) Village Historical Society.  “Through this walk we celebrate our heritage and plan for our future.” 

The general public is invited to participate in any and all Whitewater–Miami Walk events.  There is a registration fee of $20 per person or committed pledges of at least $20.  Registration includes a souvenir t-shirt for participating.  To register, obtain a pledge form, see route descriptions and start times, or learn more about the walk, visit http://whitewatervalleypark.org/walk.htm or contact Candy Yurcak at 765-647-3360 (day) or 765-647-5879 (evening).

Contact:  Candy Yurcak, Regional Coordinator

              copperron@aol.com

               765.647.3360 (day)

               765.647.5879 (evening)  

Whitewater Walk Showcases the Whitewater Valley and Franklin County

Brookville, Ind. – The Whitewater Walk, in its second year of raising the level of awareness of the many assets of the Whitewater Valley region, will be held September 23 – 30. 

The 103 mile Whitewater Walk that travels through five south-eastern Indiana Counties and one in Ohio, will start the Franklin County portion on September 27th and 28^th.  All funds raised in Franklin County this year will be split between the Whitewater Canal Trail and the Whitewater Valley Interpretive Park.  Anyone that loves Franklin County and the Whitewater Valley is invited to participate.

Beginning on Thursday, September 27^th, 7:30 a.m., walkers will meet at the Laurel Community Library in Laurel, to register.  At 8:00 a.m. the walk begins.  Leaving Laurel Community Library going east on Pearl Street towards the river bridge walkers will then turn south on Dam Road.  Follow Dam Road pass the Whitewater Canal Feeder Dam to the end of Dam Road.  Walk the railroad track to U.S. Highway 52.  Go west on U.S. 52 one-tenth mile to Pennington Road.  Turn right on Pennington Road and follow through Metamora to the trail head of the Whitewater Canal Trail.  Follow the Whitewater Canal Trail from Metamora to Shack Road.  Go east on Shack Road to U.S. 52.  Go East on U.S. 52 and continue walking on U.S. 52 to the Yellow Bank Trail head of the Whitewater Canal Trail.  Walk ends here today.  Total Miles - approximately 14.5

Day two, Friday, September 29, begins at the Yellow Bank Trail Head of the Whitewater Canal Trail on U.S. 52 where walkers again will meet at 7:30 a.m. to register and the walk begins at 8:00.  Walkers will follow the trail to the end then cross through the James Cox property to US 52.  Turning east on US 52 they will walk through Brookville to Blue Creek Road.  Turn right on Blue Creek and walk to the Franklin County Fairgrounds.  The walk ends at the Fairgrounds where walkers may also attend the wonderful Brookville Antique Farm Machinery Show going on at the fairgrounds.

Both days a support vehicle will be traveling with walkers, loaded with water and snacks and to provide a way back to your car whenever you decide your walk is finished.

What a wonderful way to get in shape, remember what is special about your home place and raise money for your county.  You may walk any portion of the walk and walk as much or little as you like. Registration for the walk is $20.00 and you will receive a Whitewater Walk t-shirt and a lifetime of memories.  If you can’t walk come and join us at the Franklin County press conference, Friday, 7:00 p.m. at the Franklin County Community Foundation Building on Main Street in Brookville, to talk about what is special about Franklin County and the experiences of the walkers.

For more information contact Dave Cook at 765-647-3445 or go to www.whitewatercanalscenicbyway.org .  Hope to see you there!

The Whitewater Walk in Franklin County is sponsored by:  FCN Bank, Franklin County Convention, Recreation and Visitor’s Commission, Cook’s Funeral Home, Pavey’s Grocery,  Hav-a-Bite Restaurant, Bath State Bank, Steve and Shirley Beyer, and Jim True Ford.