BROOKVILLE, Ind. – Sara and Eugene Moster’s Moster Turf farm adjoins the Whitewater Canal Trail and they’re happy with that. They allowed the trail access to a canal lock on their farm so trail users can get a good look at it. Greg Orschell’s farm also borders the trail and he’s okay with that, too.

The trail is 15 miles long traveling between the Laurel feeder dam, through the quaint town of Metamora, to Yellow Bank Road, and into Brookville. It wanders past intact canal structures, a pollinator garden, the Duck Creek Aqueduct, an old ice pond, pausing along the way for Whitewater River views and natural scenery, said Shirley Lamb, president of the Whitewater Canal Trail, who frequently walks on the trail.

“I like all of the nature, all the animals you get to see,” Lamb said. “There is a bald eagle nest along the trail, walking along the river I like the quietness and being out in nature. I have a heart for Metamora – when you take a walk you can stop and get an ice cream at Grannie’s Ice Cream Parlor.”

The Mosters bought their farm at auction and paid no attention to the canal lock. Years later, the trail organizers indicated they wanted to give guests on the trail access to the lock.

“It was no big deal to us,” Sara Moster said. “It is near the perimeter of our fields. They just walk down a creek and our access is probably about 200 feet long.”

Added Eugene, “They built a fence around the lock so trail users can see a boundary and not walk all over the farm. Initially, I was wondering what kind of mischief would happen but we’ve never had a problem.”

The Mosters enjoy seeing people walk the trail. It has given their turf farm exposure. They allow the group to use their barn to host events.

Orschell’s corn, soybean and beef cattle farm adjoins the trail but is across the canal from it. He has had no problems with the trail being there. His only issue is that when the canal was built it caused a drainage problem on that section of his property. The trail association is working with him to resolve that.

“They are taking steps to keep four-wheelers and horses off,” Orschell said. “They have definitely cleaned it up. “It looks nice. I hope the next generation does the same.”

The Whitewater Canal Trail, Inc., a 501c3 nonprofit., has been planned, built and maintained by volunteers. It was recognized as the 2022 Project of the year by Tri State Trails.

The canal was built in the 1830s and transported goods from around Knightstown, Ind., south to Cincinnati, through Harrison, Ohio, said Dave Bowser, owner of the historic Martindale House Tavern in Metamora. The canal moved farm goods south from Ohio to Indiana; it brought industrial good from Cincinnati northward.

“They say that the Civil War soldiers from this area left on a canal boat and went to Cincinnati,” Bowser said. “When they were finished with the war they came back on the train. By that time the canal was obsolete and bankrupt.”

Now, anyone seeking some exercise, little quiet, a bit of history, and maybe an ice cream cone, can find that by meandering along the trail. Sara Moster said she encourages other landowners to allow these trails to happen.

“It is so much of a welcoming thing for the community; everyone benefits from it,” Moster said. “It unifies the community; you are allowing something to progress in a small town. It is nice to be part of that.”

For information, visit www.whitewatercanaltrail.com.