Trails of Santa Claus cause concern for locals - Tri-State News, Weather & Sports

Trails of Santa Claus cause concern for locals

Posted by Eunice De La Torre, Digital Content Producer
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Posted by Lauren Artino, Reporter
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The project will likely not be completed until 2020. (WFIE) The project will likely not be completed until 2020. (WFIE)
(WFIE) (WFIE)
SPENCER CO., IN (WFIE) -

A 10 million dollar project to bring walkable trails to Spencer County is well underway.

However, people living in Santa Claus still have questions.

Earlier this week, council members met in Santa Claus to talk about the funding and their concerns about this project as they head into 2017.

The idea behind the Trails of Santa Claus started a few years ago.

Organizers wanted to create a space that provided health and safety benefits of trails in the area.

The main reason for the trails is the potential impact it could have on the county's top source of revenue: tourism.

Currently, the people behind the Trails of Santa Claus Incorporated are working to raise money to complete, expand, and maintain biking and hiking in and around town. 

A number of trails are finished, but some are in the beginning stages. Those have stakes with orange flags on them around town.

Council member Mike Johannes says some people might be wondering how the project is funded, or when it'll be complete.

He says they still need money. Right now, they've raised about 730,000 dollars out of the 1.3 million for their share of this project.

The rest of the funds will be matched by the government and the state in a number of 8-million-dollars.

Johannes says they would have liked to have the project complete by 2018, but now, it looks like they won't finish until 2020.

He says they're waiting on the government to release the remaining funds.

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