LAFAYETTE, INDIANA – November 26, 2019 – The Duke Energy Foundation announced today that a $50,000 grant has been awarded to the City of Lafayette for the paving of a large section of the Wabash Heritage Tail. The 18 mile trail runs alongside the Wabash River and Burnett Creek. Currently, five and a half miles of the trail are paved. The Duke Energy Foundation grant will allow for the paving of an approximately 1,000 ft. section of the trail, which runs through McAllister Park (the former site of Lafayette Municipal Golf Course).
“The Wabash Heritage Trail is an incredible asset to our community that appeals to hikers, bikers, nature lovers and outdoor enthusiasts,” Mayor Tony Roswarski said. “We thank Duke Energy for this investment and the significant impact it will have on the trail, a recreational quality of life component that can be enjoyed by everyone.”
“I am very happy Duke Energy was able to support this important community asset that will provide a better trail experience for years to come,” said Dan Rhodes, Manager of Government and Community Relations at Duke Energy. “We are looking forward to even more trail development in the coming years. We know trails have positive benefits for economic development and personal wellness, and we are thrilled that more and more people are starting to recognize the great progress and potential of the Wabash River corridor.” Work is expected to begin on the unpaved portion of the Wabash Heritage Trail in spring of 2020.
About Duke Energy
Duke Energy (NYSE: DUK), a Fortune 150 company headquartered in Charlotte, NC, is one of the largest energy holding companies in the U.S. It employs 30,000 people and has an electric generating capacity of 51,000 megawatts through its regulated utilities, and 3,000 megawatts through its nonregulated Duke Energy Renewables unit.
Duke Energy is transforming its customers’ experience, modernizing the energy grid, generating cleaner energy and expanding natural gas infrastructure to create a smarter energy future for the people and communities it serves. The Electric Utilities and Infrastructure unit’s regulated utilities serve approximately 7.7 million retail electric customers in six states – North Carolina, South Carolina, Florida, Indiana, Ohio and Kentucky. The Gas Utilities and Infrastructure unit distributes natural gas to more than 1.6 million customers in five states – North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, Ohio and Kentucky. The Duke Energy Renewables unit operates wind and solar generation facilities across the U.S., as well as energy storage and microgrid projects.
About Lafayette Parks and Recreation
The Lafayette Parks and Recreation Department operates and maintains 700 acres of land within the City of Lafayette. This includes the maintenance of more than 27 miles of paved trails. The city’s trails are open to the public and can be used for a variety of activities including walking, running, biking, rollerblading, and more.