Harry Denham spent his career as a conductor with the CSX Railroad. For the past eight years, he’s helped convert the former Nickel Plate Railroad bed into a walking and biking trail, from Rochester to Cassville.
Denham, 76, has been rewarded for his years working on the trail, receiving the first-ever Indiana Trails Volunteer of the Year award from the Greenways Foundation.
Foundation officials said in a press release that Denham was chosen for “demonstrating leadership, inspiring others and unselfishly giving time and resources to benefit the vision of a statewide network of trails in Indiana.”
Denham said he was surprised by the honor, and he likes working on the trail.
“I just enjoy being out there doing something for the community,” he said, adding that he’s worked on the trail since its early days. So far, about 14 miles of the trail is paved, and he anticipates completing another 6 miles in the next few months. When that work is done, trail users will be able to walk, bike or roller blade from Cassville to Denver.
Denham currently is helping frame in a bridge near Denver.
As a former railroader, he thinks reusing abandoned rail beds as trails is “the greatest thing that could ever happen to them. They’re something the public can use and enjoy free of charge. There’s nothing much left in this country that way any more.”
Mike Kuepper, president of the Friends of the Nickel Plate Trail organization, said the award is well-deserved.
“I can’t imagine anyone doing more than he does,” Kuepper said. “He’s kind of done a little bit of everything. He had been our chief engineer. He came up with the bridge designs that we do.”
He said Denham was a railroad conductor and had driven trains several times on the route that is now the trail. He later worked in construction.
Kuepper said one of the first contributions Denham made was in clearing the path. He and other volunteers were out using loppers and other hand tools to clear brush from the path, a daunting task for a trail that runs nearly 40 miles.
“When we were out with loppers, he just came out there and said ‘Let me go home and get my road raider.’ With the equipment it made all the difference. He got through in no time.”
Kokomo resident Charlie Skoog nominated Denham for the award, describing him as “a living legend, a true trailblazer, blessed with the unique skill set, desire and tenacity to physically build this special linear park many have dreamed about.”
He said Denham’s years of service are estimated to account for hundreds of thousands of dollars in value.
“I venture to say there is no trail in America being built more cost effectively than the NPT under Harry’s supervision,” said Skoog, “and he has done much of the work himself.”
Greenways Foundation President Matthew T. Klein said the board chose Denham because “he embodies the true spirit of a volunteer. Over the years, he has led a team to clear 13 miles of paved trails and seven bridges. A long-standing volunteer, we are grateful for his hard work and dedication to the Greenways Foundation.”
Danielle Rush may be reached at (765) 454-8585 or via e-mail at danielle.rush@kokomotribune.com
Local News
Area trail volunteer honored
Peru resident designed bridges on the Nickel Plate Trail
- Local News
-
-
Eyes on the skies: Grissom air traffic crews super busy with Super Bowl
As Indianapolis gears up for the Super Bowl, Grissom Air Reserve Base air traffic controllers are preparing for a full-on blitz of game-bound fans flying through their airspace.
-
‘Clerical error’ might cost Logan $20K
A “clerical error” in calculating retirement benefits may cost Logansport $20,000, city officials say.
-
Jurors convict Flora man of attempted rape
Jurors took just four hours Thursday afternoon to convict a Flora man of attempted rape, criminal confinement, battery and receiving stolen property.
-
LHS’ video clip will rock big screens in Indy
About 40 Logansport High School students - and their non-dancing principal - will hit the big screens Friday.
-
City seeks trial in Fire Stone suit
Attorneys representing Logansport have asked for a jury trial to settle the city’s long-running dispute with the owner of Fire Stone Grill.
-
Peru to annex 1,000 acres
In 2007, the city of Peru annexed 66 acres near U.S. 24 with hopes of enticing business to the area. But Peru Mayor Jim Walker says that was just the beginning.
-
Space issues at Pioneer Elementary push students into hallways, closets
Kindergartner Avery Smith and his literacy coach played a game Tuesday in a hallway at Pioneer Elementary School.
-
Three interested in Logan police pension board
Three candidates with ties to the Logansport Police Department are interested in serving on the Police Pension Board — a board in need of members after a falling out with Mayor Ted Franklin.
-
1 injured in semi-car collision
A 55-year-old Walton man was “doing fairly well” Tuesday night following an early morning crash where his car was hit by a semitrailer, a spokesman for the Miami County Sheriff’s Department said.
-
Walton man severely injured in crash
A 55-year-old Walton man was transported to a Kokomo hospital early Tuesday with massive head and upper body injuries after hitting a semi on U.S. 31.
- More Local News Headlines
-
Killer of Fla. Girl Found in Landfill Gets Life
Army Orders Bradley Manning Court-martial
Cancer Charity Revives Breast-screening Grants
Heavy Snowstorm Hits Colorado On Its Way East
2nd Teacher From LA School Arrested on Sex Claim
Prosecutors Close Armstrong Inquiry, No Charges
Sights and Sounds: Football Fans Pour Into Indy
Unemployment Rate Down to 8.3%
Obama: Still Far Too Many Americans Need Jobs
GOP: Jobs Numbers Welcome, Can Do Better
Fla. Man Adopts Girlfriend in Legal Battle
More Deaths As Egypt Clashes Continue
Raw Video: Prince William in Falklands
Egpyt Protesters Blame Police for Soccer Deaths
'Lucky' 9-Year-Old Receives 6-Organ Transplant
Raw Video: Michelle Vs. Ellen in Pushup Contest
First Person: Will Peyton Manning Stay in Indy?
Egypt Shaken After Deadly Soccer Riot
New Suits, New Starts for New York's Unemployed
Hall of Famer Dorsett Speaks Out on NFL Injuries
