In 2006, the community began planning a link between the Indiana and Ohio villages that would create a stopping and starting point on the Rails-to-Trails Path and connect the Railroad Park Trail on the Ohio side with the Harry and June Loy Walking Trail at Harter Park on the Indiana side. This cross-state connection was considered critical to the two-state, 12-county regional plan then underway. In August 2007, Coca-Cola North America, in cooperation with the National Rails-to-Trails Conservancy, presented the committee with an $80,000 grant. The Union City Chamber of Commerce, representing both sides of the state line, oversaw the project. Darlene Wymer served as executive director and financial officer for the project, supported by the Regional Rails to Trails Committee, the Union City Gateway Rails to Trails Committee, and National Rails to Trails Regional Director Rhonda Border-Boose.