The initial idea of a recreational bikeway path in the community began with the construction of the City-County Athletic Complex (CCAC) on the west side of the city. A proposal was developed in 1992 to construct a bike path along the railroad to the CCAC. The proposal identified the need for a safe alternative form of transportation for children and families traveling by bicycle to the CCAC.
In 1995, through the Kosciusko Leadership Academy (KLA), a White Paper Project titled "Kosciusko County Greenway Proposal - A Blueprint for Success" further explored the need for a trail system in Kosciusko County.
The route was originally planned with the concept of building a bicycle wheel. Central Park, located in the heart of downtown Warsaw, will represent the hub of the wheel and the proposed routes branching off of the hub will represent the spokes with the Greenway focused on a path from the Chinworth Bridge on the west side of Warsaw to Roy Street in Winona Lake on the east. Eventually, enough spokes will branch off of the hub to encircle the entire county, completing the bicycle wheel.
In 1997, another KLA White Paper Project titled "A Greenway in Your Community" built on the previous paper and expanded on the need for a trail system.
A bikeway steering committee was formed in the summer of 1997 to explore the feasibility of establishing some of the proposed routes. The focus of the group shifted from its original idea of creating simple recreational loops around the local lakes to incorporating a linear alternative transportation corridor that links the community's lakes and parks via hiking and biking trails.
Then in 1998, another KLA White Paper Project titled "Lake City Greenway Master Plan 1998" gave the basis to begin implementing the trail system. Since the initial idea, the current Master Plan and map have evolved.
In 2001, Steve Jones was the winner of the Warsaw Parks Department sponsored logo contest for the Lake City Greenway. Jones, a commercial and graphic designer, composed a blue and green oval-shaped graphic, which is now used for Lake City Greenway promotional materials and on markers along the trail.
In 2003, Phase I of the Beyer Farm Trail was completed. This .75 mile of trail connects the Kosciusko Community Hospital complex with Pike Lake Park. The trail can be accessed from the Trailhead located on Provident Drive or from Pike Lake Park.
In 2007, the Chinworth Bridge Trail was completed. The Chinworth Bridge Trail is 1.9 miles and begins at the trailhead located on Old US 30 West and goes to Zimmer Road. This portion of trail was the original idea behind the trail system, as the Chinworth Bridge Trail connects the CCAC to the City of Warsaw.
At the same time, the Heritage Trail was also completed in 2007. It is 1.8 miles and runs through Winona Lake beginning at Winona Avenue, proceeding along the canal, to the trailhead located at the Old Chicago Boys Club on Roy Street.