A “groundbreaking” was held for the Platteville Community Arboretum Moving Platteville Outdoors Rountree Branch trail paving and lighting project Wednesday afternoon.

Even though the trail won’t be at the groundbreaking site, in front of Delta 3 Engineering on West Business 151, the event featured the most important part of the project — the $643,000 Department of Natural Resources grant funding half of the $1.2 million project.

“Projects like this don’t start in Madison,” said state Sen. Howard Marklein (R–Spring Green). “They start right here, and they start with people with an idea and enthusiasm and who won’t give up.”

The PCA project is now about $28,000 away from matching the DNR grant, and less than $4,300 from the Cindy Tang Foundation challenge match amount.

The project started as a bridge replacement, trail rerouting and connection to the Platteville Dog Park. During PCA’s discussions with potential donors, trail paving kept getting mentioned. Other potential donors suggested major funding would be easier to obtain for one large project, instead of a few smaller projects.

“Moving Platteville Outdoors has benefited from too many wonderful people to mention,” said MPO chair Gene Weber.
Construction on the trail is expected to start this year and be finished in 2016.