My thoughts

            Overall this place is of cultural importance for its natural beauty and ability to provide a way back to nature for those in the community.  Historically people used to use this area to move in and out of the area, now people enjoy it for outdoor activities and charity events. As bunnies hop across the trail and birds tweet over head it is easy to see why citizens would go there for an escape. In talking to a different woman who was using the trail she seemed to echo my thoughts about how important this place is.

"I have been coming here for a long time and it would be hard for me to accept a place like this not existing. The people around here use this in every season to have fun and spend some quality time with family and friends. I'm excited to see that local people are expressing interest and it seems like more and more people are starting to use the trail. I think the college being here lends a lot to the traffic moving through and I welcome students to share the trails with me and my family."

   

Things to do on the trail

The most striking thing about this area is where it is located. It is hard to imagine that such a beautiful natural space would be in the middle of such a busy place. It was as if people realized that those constantly surrounded by vehicles and the hustle of life needed a place to get away. As soon as a few steps are taken it is as if you are thrown back in time. Trees sweep in and hug the trail and different color leaves cover the gravel. If a person was to just concentrate on what is in front of them, it would be easy to imagine what the area might have looked like before the major roadways were built. A pair of headphones gives people the ability to be completely away from the movement of the world going on a few yards away.


The rails-to-trails conservancy has been trying to provide people with a healthy escape from the hustle and bustle of life since 1986. This 10.5 mile trail provides a way to just take a relaxing walk with a dog or get a high intensity bike workout. This place has the possibility to give those of all ages a healthy way to have fun. The nearby Ghost Town Trail is easy to access from this one so the fun never ends. There are also three more trails close to the area that can be used if one wanted to. In speaking with some of the people using the trail I found that having a place to go outside for some exercise is important. One young woman I spoke to to said " Without places like this in Indiana it would be hard for me to stay healthy. I would have to drive to a different town which would take more time and money. Problems from not having anywhere like the Hoodlebug to go snowball, causing un-healthy communities. It's all connected!" 

My visit to the trail

I was not sure what to expect when I went to the Hoodlebug Trail, but when I got to the entrance by the IUP South Campus I was pleasantly surprised. It is fortunate that my first visit to this place was in the fall because the trail was beautiful. In walking only a few steps down the trail you become enclosed in trees that are changing colors. The traffic around is still heard, and you are separated from the railway by only an older rustic fence. They have a picnic table and an information stand in a little piece of grass. Every once in a while the trail will give way to a major roadway to remind people that they will never be totally separate from the world they live in.

            I was lucky enough to go to the Hoodlebug Trail on a Friday around 3:00pm for my first visit, which happens to be a busy time on the trail. In the fall on a Friday the trail is full of people doing various activities. From my observations the trail seems to be used for personal health reasons. Many people were using it for working out. People running, walking, and biking all seemed to be enjoying the trail and their ages varied. In addition, it seems as though the army uses it as a training site for the young men in the ROTC. Just being on this trail made me want to go on a run and bring my bike up from home so I could also enjoy the beautiful area.