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Print Friendly MapThe Coal Line Trail runs along the abandoned Notre Dame & Western Railroad coal line, which used to deliver coal to the Notre Dame Power Plant. Developing in stages, the route primarily uses the old railroad bed with just one section not built on the former rail corridor. Now it is a paved 12-foot-wide trail that currently stretches 1.4 miles between Lincoln Way West and Riverside Drive.
Starting from its southern endpoint, the rail-trail heads northeast from Lincoln Way West and runs along Muessel Grove Park after it crosses Vassar Avenue by the intersection with Lawndale Avenue. There is a trailhead where the trail meets the park and it has benches, a drinking fountain, a trash can, and a bicycle repair station. The park has open fields, a playground, a basketball court, a baseball field, and a parking lot (1117 Wilber St). Running through a lightly wooded area, he rail-trail continues northeast to W Angela Boulevard. Brownfield Park and a linear parking lot (1041 W Angela Blvd) are across the street. Briefly meandering along Angela Boulevard, the trail passes a small pond and then follows a stream until it reaches the St. Joseph River and Riverside Drive. To continue your adventure, head north on the Riverside Trail.
The next phase of trail development will extend the trail from Riverside Drive across the St. Joseph River via a historical railroad bridge, which will be converted into a pedestrian bridge. The extension will parallel Angela Boulevard to a connection with the East Bank Trail. This phase will include a short section of trail not built on the former rail corridor in order to connect the trail with Angela Boulevard while crossing Holy Cross College property.
Future phases will extend the route from Lincoln Way West south to Cherry Street and to Western Avenue. Located just northwest of downtown South Bend, the complete rail-trail will connect Western Avenue with the Riverside Trail and the East Bank Trail—contributing to the Indiana-Michigan River Valley Trail network.
Parking is available by Brownfield Park in a parking lot with accessible spaces at 1041 W Angela Blvd, South Bend.
The first section of this trail opened the summer of 2022. It's the first of two sections that will be completed this year. A very pleasant but short trail on South Bend's west side.
Can't wait till it's completed.
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