The Community Foundation of Elkhart County has engaged a team led by Cincinnati-based urban growth firm YARD & Company to develop “Connect In Elkhart County,” a mobility master plan for Elkhart County.

The project is being led by the Community Foundation’s Placemaking Committee.

“This is a unique opportunity to better connect the towns and cities of Elkhart County through trail development, storytelling, placemaking and real estate development. We couldn’t be more excited to help the Foundation and its partners collaboratively build a more connected future.” said Joe Nickol, Principal at YARD & Company.

The project is in early stages and is expected to be completed in nine months. It will assess the gaps in the county’s existing trail system, actively engage the community about its future, develop conceptual and specific design recommendations and create strategies for how the trail system can create new development opportunities.

The process isn’t intended to replicate previous planning, but to focus efforts in Elkhart County, particularly as the Community Foundation offers Community Investment Grants around this area of emphasis.

There will be multiple opportunities for involvement in the process over the next several months. To stay up to date and to sign up to be involved visit www.connectinelkhartcounty.com.