The Link Trail

Built 2024; downtown to Notre Dame

The newest trail: The newest trail in the system was built to close the distance between the city and the university. The Link is a 1.5-mile dedicated running, walking, and biking trail connecting downtown South Bend to the University of Notre Dame, built by the City of South Bend in partnership with the university and Visit South Bend Mishawaka — an $11.5 million project, the most expensive mile-for-mile trail in this section. Its opening is documented at three sizes, and all three are printed: the university's sustainability office records that "The Link, which opened in late October 2024," runs from the corner of Angela Boulevard and Notre Dame Avenue; the International Town & Gown Association's briefing memo on the project states it "was completed in November 2024"; and its ceremonial opening came on 24 April 2025, when Visit South Bend Mishawaka, the city, and the university hosted a ribbon-cutting walk from Angela and Notre Dame Avenue to Notre Dame Avenue and South Bend Avenue. A fall opening, a November completion, and an April ribbon — the trail's first season is documented at the record's own three sizes, not reconciled into one.

Sources:

1. International Town and Gown Association, Knowledge & Practice Briefing Memo, "The LINK Trail Project" (City of South Bend and University of Notre Dame) (the 1.5-mile length, the $11.5 million cost, the November 2024 completion, the partners).
2. University of Notre Dame, Campus Sustainability, "Link Trail Ribbon Cutting & Walk," 24 April 2025 (the late-October 2024 opening and the ribbon-cutting route).