Residents raise concerns over proposed Midwest Continental Divide Trail

NORTH LIBERTY, Ind. -- Residents voiced concerns about transparency, zoning and conservation during a public forum on the proposed Midwest Continental Divide Trail.

The meeting came as local officials continue discussing the trail proposal, which currently has no approved route and no plans to rezone land along the corridor.

Much of the discussion centered on whether rural residents have been adequately included in the planning process.

The Midwest Continental Divide Trail proposal was introduced through Senate Bill 468. During 2025, four public input hearings were held on the project, including one in North Liberty.

With the legislation now passed, St. Joseph County's next step would be creating a commission to oversee planning for the project. The proposed commission would review matters related to the trail and land within a half-mile of its eventual route.

Shawn Peterson, founder of Community Redevelopment and an attorney with Krieg DeVault, worked on the land survey supporting the trail proposal. At the meeting, he heard resident questions and concerns.

Peterson said the trails commission would serve only in an advisory capacity and would not have the authority to rezone property or approve land-use changes.

Peterson also addressed concerns about maps presented during the planning process. While some residents said the survey suggested abandoned railroad corridors would become the trail, Peterson said no official route has been selected.

The St. Joseph County Council is scheduled to vote July 28 on whether to establish the advisory commission.

If the county declines to create the commission, State Rep. Jake Teshka said the legislation authorizing the project could be repealed.