Erie Lackawanna Trail

I can only speak about the portion of the Erie Lackawanna Trail that is in Crown Point, specifically from Summit Street to 91^st Street. WHAT A GREAT TRAIL FOR THIS COMMUNITY!
The starting point in Crown Point has parking, a restroom, some historical information about the train tracks and depots that once were active in this area, covered tables, benches.
This portion of the trail, which was maybe 2 – 3 miles and/​or 10 – 15 minutes bike ride from Summit Street to 91^st street was great. Open areas, little viewing of housing/​businesses, wooden bridges, lovely fencing, park area half way in, seemed safe… a lovely path to walk your dog, take a jog or ride your bike.

This part of the trail was very pleasing! It is an easy trail but nice to walk. I need to go during the day and will update my review. I was bad and went there after a late night of picking up some Arby’s and needed to walk a little after that junk food bomb.

This trail is amazing for bike riding, running/​walking, and walking your dog! So much nature and freedom along the entire path. Some points may be more crowded than others but even on the weekend people are very generous and friendly. Great exercise and wonderful stress reliever.

Great trail that I’ve been riding for about 10 years — yes, I remember when you’d have to ride through dirt after Broad Street to get to the other paved side.
I am always for people getting outside and enjoying the outdoors — be it riding, walking, running, roller blading. Like other trails though, this trail has a large of amount of riders that do not observe trail etiquette — S.A.Y. «PASS LEFT’. Someone is going to get hurt. I have always had the experience of passing someone and annoucning it and getting [wait for it.. .. ] a Thank you in return. People appreciate courtesy. Thank goodness the IL forest preserve district has started to issue tickets for violations of rules — yes, folks, it’s not just «etiquette» in some places it’s a violations or rules which carry sanctions; i.e., you have to pay for a ticket. Take a hint Indiana. Nothwithstanding, someone is possibly going to get hurt and this will open up and should, tort suits. Hate to be stereotypical, but it’s always this «Lance Armstrong» wanna-​be/​s who apparently don’t give a #$%^. You can spot them in a heatbeat.
Directions: Where is it?
People in IL always ask me how to get here and where to park. It can be stratgeic if you don’t really know you’re way around NW IN and where to pick up the trail. In my opinion, the best place to park if you’re from out of town is at the intersection of Highway Avenue and Kennedy Avenue in Highland, IN [take the Kennedy Ave south exit off I-​80 and it will lead you right to it– there’s a huge lot on the southwest side of that intersection right behind /​adjacent to a gas station [I’d name the gas station but it has changed brands]. The lot is free and public parking! From the Ridge and Kennedy Avenue start riding south — south east. You can ride for approximately 10.5 miles [according to my GPS] to Crown Point. You «could» ride north — north east but the trail ends at about 1.5 mile in that direction and you’d be turning around anyway. Take drinks /​water /​snacks. There is a «laundery mat» yes, a laundry mat that sort of doubles as a snack place with some tables outside to rest but, from your starting point, it would only be 3 miles into your 10.5 to Crown Point. Although the trail «ends» in Crown Point, you could easily street ride into downtown Crown Point and hit restaurants etc.
Yes, this trail has it’s share of street crossings but nowhere near that of Old Plank Road trail, which has many more in my opinion.

Nice trail, just wish it was further removed from major road crossings and highways.
The endpoints are in Hommond, IN on Sibley St and Hohman Ave. and in Crown Point, IN at Summit St. It passes through several cities in Lake County including: Hammond, Highland, Griffith, Schererville and finally Crown Point
It’s fully paved and elevation is fairly steady, there are a few hills but, the grade (angle) is minimal. All in all this is an easy trail to walk, run, bike or blade. I take my dog for a walk here quite often since there is an entrance right by where I live.
Of course there’s the leash thing… leash your dogs people! too many road crossings and bikers rolling past, especially in summer. Another thing, on entrance points there a poopy bags and garbage cans… use ‘em of you dog has a habit of doing a #2 on the pavement… people probably don’t like stepping in it.
The not so good stuff… it gets buggy and the fact that there’s a lot of road crossings, I personally prefer REAL trail walks but, this’ll do in a pinch.
SYOY

Really nice bike path. You can get on in crown point near the walgreens off of summit and ride all the way to the lake county visitors office in Hammond. Im not sure if it continues on past there because I couldn’t find where it picks up again.

So fortunate to have this behind our home. A 9.5 mile paved trail great for biking, running, or walking. We frequently walk the dog along this path, which winds around our neighborhood, some fields with horses, a pond, and then across Burr St. going south, or to Highland in the north. Generally pretty busy, but the path is nice and wide.

I ride this trail several days a week in the summer on my bike. A nice smooth riding surface without all of the pot holes and buckled curbs in town. Well Maintained. Minimal traffic to deal with and nice scenery along the way. Have seen deer on numerous occasions as well as as a variety of birds including a hawk. Most everyone you pass along the way is friendly. Highly recommended.

The Erie Lackawanna Trail just recently was extended from the courthouse to Summit street in Crown Point. Eventually there are plans to connect this to a much larger trail system but for now it is still very nice. Winding its way behind properties for a bit, the trail opens onto a prarie area and across a nice bridge behind the courthouse to connect going northwest toward Highland, Griffith, Schererville.
Its wide and freshly paved, they do not seem to plow the trail in the winter so runner/​hiker beware of snowmobiles etc.
Overall, I am super excited about this trail and it is a very nice addition to Crown Point.