TREMONT - Residents are banding together to create something of beauty from an eyesore in the center of town.

The Tiber Creek project, financed with private and corporate donations, will create bridges and walking paths from an abandoned railroad bed and unattractive creek.

It's expected to be completed by fall of next year, said Village Board President Todd Bong.

The project, pushed by the Tremont Winning Communities committee, will connect to the south end of Tremont City Park.

"We want to dress up the area," said Bong, adding the project will add "valuable recreational space to the community" and provide a place for the village's 2,100 residents to "walk and reduce stress."

He envisions about a half-mile of walking paths, expected eventually to be lighted.

The paths will top an abandoned railroad bed. Tiber Creek, which runs parallel to the railroad bed, will be refigured from a straight creek into a meandering one.

"It (Tiber Creek) is really kind of a drainage ditch now," said Michele Garey, a member of a subcommittee involved with the plans.

Garey said most of the walking paths will be finished by this fall. A parking lot will be among the final things completed.

Work began earlier this month. Bong said the estimated $400,000 cost is reduced by volunteer labor and volunteer machinery and materials.

Already raised is $133,500, mostly from private and corporate donations and grants.

Fundraising continues with a hog roast from 4 to 7 p.m. Aug. 9 at Tremont United Methodist Church Fellowship Hall. A barbecue pork sandwich, baked beans and potato salad will be sold for $6 per person.