Greencroft Communities Stories

Residents using wheelchairs, scooters and walkers can now venture deeper into the Woodlands at Greencroft Goshen thanks to a community effort to make trails and pathways more accessible.

A grant from the Community Foundation of Elkhart County (CFEC), matched by funds raised through the Greencroft Goshen Environmental Committee, helped finance a series of improvements that included resurfacing trails, installing rock borders, and replacing deteriorating handrails and decking at a pond overlook. 

The project unfolded in three phases. Work began on the Serenity Circle Trail in the heart of the woods, continued along the Shoreline Trail bordering Juniper Pond,  and concluded with the restoration of the pond overlook. 

Volunteers played a critical role, contributing more than 300 hours of labor. They removed old wood chips and railroad ties, prepared the trail base, and helped improve the overlook, making it more sturdy and secure. The trails were resurfaced with compacted limestone, creating a smoother, more accessible path for residents and visitors. 

Work began in May and was completed by late June, just in time for Summerfest guests to enjoy the improved trails and views. 
Dale Way, a Greencroft Goshen resident and chair of the Environmental Committee, said volunteer efforts and community support made the project possible. 

"These projects would not have gotten done this year if it were not for the grant from the Community Foundation of Elkhart County," he said. 

The project's success became clear almost immediately. 

The day after the Shoreline Trail reopened, Dale watched a group of Healthcare residents make their way to Juniper Pond for an afternoon of fishing. 

"Ten people," he recalled. "A couple of wheelchairs and two mobility scooters. Fishing away!" 

For Dale, the scene was all the validation the committee needed. 

"It was a stamp of approval," he said. "A job well done."