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Midland Trace On the Fast Track in Westfield
With the resounding success and overwhelming popularity
of the Monon Trail in Hamilton County, residents and officials have
long been looking to expand the county's trail system and duplicate
the Monon's success. Besides the Monon line, there was once
another non-electric main railroad that crossed the county: An east-west
link known as the Central Indiana or Midland Railway, long abandoned
but still physically intact between Lebanon, Westfield, Noblesville
and Lapel. The City of Westfield has been the first to take
an interest in developing the line into a Monon-like trail, and has
had detailed plans to build the Midland Trace trail across the city,
running just south of SR32, urged on by the Friends of the Midland
Trace advocacy group The city has taken several significant steps
in the last few years, and now the smell of asphalt is almost in the
air.
A look into the near future: the Midland Trace Westfield's portion of the Midland Trace will stretch
from Gray Road on the city's east side to the Boone County line on
the west side, where the future Ackerson Farms development in Eagletown
includes plans to incorporate the trail. A portion was paved
for several years ago between Oak Ridge Road and Quaker Park, a short
stretch of a couple hundred yards.
Anyone who has traveled down the Monon through Carmel
can immediately see the transformation of the city surrounding the
trail, one fortunate result of the Monon's close proximity to the
downtown area. The downtown is abuzz with life, with the Monon
as its lifeline. In exactly the same way, the Midland Trace
has the potential to transform downtown Westfield, a fact that has
not escaped Westfield officials like Mayor Andy Cook and members of
the City Council. A city consulting firm is now clearing and
surveying the line in anticipation of acquisition and development
between downtown Westfield and Cool Creek. Various developers
and owners have agreed to donate or dedicate several sections of trail
to the City over the past several years, including Noblesville, which
purchased the line from the Indiana Transportation Museum in the late
1980's.
Westfield's Trail Plan: the Midland and Monon will cross on both
sides of US31. In addition to the Midland, the Monon
is also getting plenty of support and attention from Westfield and
Hamilton County. Two large grants, one of which came this
spring from Governor Daniels' state trails initiative, will soon bring
the Monon nearly 3 miles north of 146th Street up to the future Midland
Trace on the west side of US31. The development of the Viking
Meadows neghborhood has already paved the trail between 156th and
161st Streets, and the remainder may see construction begin by the
end of the year. In addition, the Hamilton County Commission
is seeking funding for a future Monon bridge across 146th Street.
Connecting trail to Simon Moon Park Westfield has plans to build the Monon
Trail and Midland Trace into a unique loop around the downtown area,
hoping to maximize both trails' impact on the revitalization of the
old town area. The trails' crossings of US31 and SR32 will be
delayed until the US31 upgrade. However, in the meantime,
the city is moving forward with the Monon/Midland link west of US31
and a similar intersection on the east side at Union Street, where
the Monon, Midland and Natalie Wheeler trails will intersect. The
Natalie Wheeler Trail, constructed on the west side of Union Street
several years ago, runs between the downtown area and Cool Creek Park.
On the east side of the downtown area,
the Midland Trace will connect with an existing asphalt path to Simon
Moon Park, then run behind Walgreens, cross Carey Road and run behind
the Kroger shopping center, where it will end temporarily at Cool
Creek until a suitable bridge can be found. The city has
discussed the possibility of historic bridge reuse, now a popular
design feature on several other trails around Indiana.
The Cicero Creek Bridge A connection to Noblesville has been urged by the
Friends group, but Noblesville has yet to take decisive action on
the project. Two spectacular historic iron bridges, one
over Cicero Creek and the other a double-span over White River, await
rehabilitation and rebirth along the future Midland Trace in Noblesville.
The project would also connect trail users to the future Riverwalk
project and the existing White
River Greenway, which currently runs several miles between the
courthouse square and Potters Covered Bridge. Putting
it all together - the Monon Trail, Midland Trace, the buzzing
new downtowns of Carmel and Westfield and a trip through historic
Noblesville - would place Hamilton County squarely into the realm
of a major trail tourist attraction. And if the Friends
of Boone County Trails get their way, a future westward connection
to Lebanon would someday tie in the Farm
Heritage Trail between Lebanon and Lafayette.
Westfield will hold a meeting with
the Friends of the Midland Trace in July to keep the trail on the
fast track to asphalt. To join the group, please contact
us.
For more information please visit
www.midlandtrace.info.
Green Day for Greenways in Indiana
Governor Mitch Daniels announced today
that an additional $19 million has been allocated by his administration
for the development of trails and greenways in Indiana. Ron
Carter, Greenways Foundation executive director has noted, "This is
an exciting and historic announcement for all of us who are involved
in and dedicated to the expansion of Indiana's trail system. I am
really pleased with the announcement. Never before has there been
this much positive movement for the establishment of linear parks
in Indiana." The news release from the Governor's office follows.
Daniels announces $19 million for
new trails investment
INDIANAPOLIS (May 20, 2008) - Governor Mitch Daniels today announced
$19 million in new investment for trails development as a part of
his Hoosiers on the Move statewide trails plan.
"By making Indiana a 'State of
Trails' we not only create new recreational opportunities, but also
show the people who can bring businesses here the quality of life
that Hoosiers enjoy," said Daniels.
The one-time distribution will be directed
to 28 projects throughout the state by the Indiana Department of Natural
Resources (DNR) and will result in 104 miles of new trails being built
and the acquisition of land for an expected 26 miles of future trail
development. Currently the state system includes about 400 miles of
multi-use trails.
Projects were chosen based upon geographic
diversity, readiness to build, connectivity to the trails system,
and local support. These funds are in addition to the $20 million
the state invests annually as part of Daniels' Hoosiers on the Move
trails initiative to connect communities throughout the state. The
10-year plan calls for every Hoosier to be within 15 minutes of trail.
The future Farm Heritage Trail in Colfax.
"The governor's announcement truly
marks an historic day for the future of trails and greenways in Indiana.
We could not be more enthused or appreciative of his efforts,"
said Matthew T. Klein, board president of the Greenways Foundation.
"It really shows that Gov. Daniels embraces the many economic
and health benefits of linear parks."
DNR will manage both the new funding
being allocated to local trails projects and the 150 miles of abandoned
railroad corridor the state recently acquired for distribution to
government entities and local trail groups for potential trail development.
The projects that will receive funding
are:
-
C and O Trail Award: $800,000.00
The C&O Rail corridor spans from at the southeast corner of
the Town of Merrillville to the northwestern town limits at Griffith.
Funding will support development of a 1.7 mile segment located in
the densely populated center of Merrillville. This segment of trail
is in the heart of a developed area, therefore, drawing a high number
of potential users who will not only use the C&O Trail as a
means of recreation but also as a means of direct travel to work
or businesses.
-
Pennsy
Greenway Northwest Trail Award: $900,000.00
This City of Munster project involves the construction of the Pennsy
Greenway Northwest Trail from the Illinois State Line to Fisher
Street, connecting with the Lansing, Illinois segment of the trail;
and from Calumet Avenue to Main Street connecting with the Schererville,
Indiana segment of trail. All connecting portions are within the
jurisdiction of Munster, totaling approximately 1.5 miles.
The future Pennsy Greenway in Schererville.
-
Northside Bikeway Award: $250,000.00
This South Bend project will extend the Rivergreenway through Indiana
University South Bend, approximately 2100 feet, and connect to the
newly constructed pedestrian bridge across the St. Joseph River.
-
Panhandle Pathway
Award: $900,000.00
This funding will help in the development of l7 miles of multi-use
trail on railbanked corridor in Cass and Pulaski Counties.
Carl Anspach rides the future Panhandle Pathway.
-
North Judson
to Monterey Trail Award: $450,000.00
The funds will be used to develop 2.77 miles of multi-use trail
on railbanked corridor from Main Street in North Judson to CR 100W
and 0.55 miles of trail near Monterey from Pulaski CR 600E east-southeast
to CR640E. For a total of 3.32 miles.
-
Pumpkinvine
Nature Trail Award: $900,000.00
This Elkhart County Park Department sponsored project will complete
2 miles of the 17 mile Pumpkinvine Trail from Goshen, through Middlebury
to Shipshewana. This meandering abandoned railroad was purchased
eighteen years ago by the Friends of the Pumpkinvine Inc. preserving
the twisting corridor (hence the Pumpkinvine Nature Trail name)
through the Amish countryside. The trail is within a short distance
of completion with only 1.6 miles of unfunded trail remaining. This
portion of the trail is from CR 127 to CR 31.
-
Wabash
and Erie Canal Towpath Trail Award: $900,000.00
The “Towpath Trail” will be a 5.5 mile multi-use trail
constructed primarily along the former route of the Wabash &
Erie Canal. This phase of the project is 1.7 miles of a 10 –
12 foot wide asphalt trail that will connect the 40 miles of trails
planned in Aboite Township with the 23-mile Rivergreenway Trail
in Fort Wayne and New Haven. This the final segment of the “Towpath
Trail” to need funding.
The future route of the Towpath Trail.
-
Farm
Heritage Trail Award: $700,000.00
Approximately 26 miles of former railroad property consisting of
approximately 299 acres in Boone, Clinton and Tippecanoe Counties
will be acquired for future trail development.
-
Greenbush Street/Munger Park Trail
Award: $650,000.00
This trail will connect several neighborhoods to each other and
to Munger Park and Glenn Acres Elementary School, as well as the
existing trail along Greenbush Street. Areas along the utility easement
will be planted with prairie grasses and wildflowers, as well as
establishing seating and resting areas. The Greenbush Street / Munger
Park Trail will also serve as the first phase of a trail that will
eventually cross Union Street and State Road 26 and tie into McCaw
Park, Berlovitz Woods City Park, several retails areas, and two
hospitals.
-
Vandalia
Trail Award: $500,000.00
This funding will support Phase Two (1.9 miles), an extension of
the existing Vandalia Trail. Phase 2 consists of two sections that
will extend the trail from both the east and the west ends of the
existing trail. The Town of Plainfield selected this portion of
the trail project due to its location, extending it to the limits
of the Town’s boundaries, therefore, drawing an increased number
of potential users who would not only use the Vandalia Trail as
a means of recreation but also as a means of direct travel to work
or businesses.
-
B&O
Trail Pilot Project Award: $175,000.00
The B&O Trail Association Inc. (BOTA) will design and construct
a prototype section of greenway from Raceway Road (the Marion and
Hendricks County line) west approximately 1,000 feet within their
right-of-way located on the former B&O railroad alignment in
Hendricks County. Corridor improvements will include constructing
a 12 foot wide asphalt path for bicycle and pedestrian use. Two-foot
wide stone dust shoulders on each side of the path will provide
a softer surface to accommodate runners. Equestrian accommodation
will be considered in the layout of the facilities as a future use.
Landscape screening, trail signage and other amenities will enhance
the corridor experience, along with the Dianne Vonnegut Memorial
rest area which will be incorporated into the project in recognition
of all her work to make the greenway a reality.
-
Monon
Trail Award: $900,000.00
The City of Westfield will extend the Monon Trail through the City
and Washington Township. This section is from 161st Street north
to the Midland Trace corridor, which is approximately 1.4 miles
of multi-use trail, including a pedestrian bridge. Phase one (146th
to 161st) will be paved this fall. This will complete approximately
16.5 miles of the Monon Trail.
-
Nickel
Plate Trail Award: $900,000.00
This is a construction project on the Nickel Plate Trail, a 38 mile
trail on a rail banked railroad corridor in Howard, Miami, and Fulton
Counties. Approximately 7 miles of the trail have been completed
in Miami County, with construction on another 4 mile section to
begin this spring that will extend into Howard County.
It is the intent of Nickel Plate Trail, Inc to complete 4 additional
sections of the trail in Miami and Fulton Counties. The sections
to be constructed are as follows:
1. Miami County Road 500S to IN 218 in Bunker Hill – 2 miles
2. Denver south to Peru – 6 miles
3. Peru 7th Street to Wallick Road – 1 mile
4. Rochester Wabash Avenue to the south – 3 miles
The construction of these sections will include land acquisition,
grading, paving, landscaping, and signage. Also included in this
project will be construction on 1 bridge, parking areas, and a trailhead.
-
146th Street Extension Trail
Award: $500,000.00
The City of Noblesville will construct a four mile trail along the
146th Street Roadway Extension from SR 37 to Interstate 69 at Exit
10. The trail connects a nearly 1,000,000 square foot Simon Mall
retail development, planned City parks, lifestyle centers, corporate
campus, and residential developments along the corridor. The City
and INDOT have partnered together to improve the overpass on Interstate
69, which includes a pedestrian crossing, connecting Noblesville
and Fishers.
-
Forks of Wabash Trail Award:
$250,000.00
The Huntington Park and Recreation Department in a community partnership
with the Historic Forks of the Wabash will develop a 1-mile, accessible
trail along the Little Wabash and Wabash Rivers in Huntington, Indiana.
This 8’ wide paved multi-use trail will provide recreational
and educational opportunities for walkers, joggers, bicyclists and
cross-county skiers. The development of this trail, along the scenic
river and through the Historic Forks of the Wabash will promote
and enhance a healthy lifestyle in the community.
-
Cardinal
Greenway Award: $900,000.00
Funds will be used to extend the unimproved areas of the Cardinal
Greenway trail between Industries Road in Richmond to Main Street
in Losantville with an emphasis on bridge improvements that will
allow for continuous travel between Richmond and Gaston on fully
paved and graded ballast on non-paved surfaces. Bridges will have
a 12’ minimum width. Certain bridges will be 15’ to accommodate
horse travel as well as multi-use pedestrians. 6 bridges will be
improved, one removed and one replaced. 10 additional miles of stone
graded ballast will be added for trail biking and runners.
-
National
Heritage Road Trail Award: $650,000.00
Funds will be used to develop 4 miles of multi-use trail in two
sections on former Penn Central railroad property recently purchased
and donated by the state. The sections are from Ogden to Raysville
(2 miles) and from Lewisville to Dunreith (2 miles).
-
Whitewater
Canal Trail Award: $300,000.00
This project will connect two existing sections of trail. On the
west side of the project this new trail will connect with the 2.6
mile trail that was completed this year. On the east side it will
connect with what is known as the Yellow Bank Trailhead, which was
completed in 2005 with funds raised by the community. When this
connection is finished, visitors will be able to park at Yellow
Bank trailhead and ride a bike or hike the 5-mile trail to Metamora
along the old canal. The interesting scenery along the route makes
this section a great trail for a day trip. The new connector will
be 10 feet wide and 2 miles long and begin at Mile Post 47 and travel
east to Mile Post 52 which is located next to the mill in Metamora.
-
Pennsy
Greenway - Indianapolis Award: $900,000.00
The City of Indianapolis Department of Parks and Recreation (Indy
Parks) will design and construct a critical segment of the Indianapolis
Pennsy Trail from Arlington Avenue to Shortridge Road within the
former right-of-way of the Pennsylvania Railroad currently owned
by Indy Parks. This 6,700 lineal foot (1.3 mile) segment of
the trail corridor is critical in connectivity of the eastside for
pedestrians and bicyclists as it utilizes the existing infrastructure
of the Shadeland Avenue rail bridge overpass that was preserved
from demolition by INDOT specifically for this use. The trail will
connect Historic Irvington to the far eastside commercial district
along Washington Street and significant destinations including the
Irvington Community School and the Ransburg YMCA. The project will
assist in meeting the immediate need for bicycle and pedestrian
facilities to improve quality of life for eastside residents. Connections
to the trail will be made via the existing sidewalk and street infrastructure.
-
Pigeon Creek Greenway Passage
Award: $900,000.00
The City of Evansville will build a 0.7 mile section of the Pigeon
Creek Greenway Passage - Industrial Corridor. The Pigeon Creek Greenway
Passage Plan is the overall pedestrian/bicycle corridor plan to
accommodate trail users and connect residential, parks, commercial
districts and the public facilities through Evansville and Vanderburgh
County. The plan calls for the construction of a pedestrian/bicycle
trail along the existing Evansville Levee System and encircle the
City of Evansville. Two sections, the Middle Levee and Riverfront
Corridors were completed in 1997 and 2004 respectively and the first
section of the Industrial Corridor was completed in 2007. Extending
another section of the Industrial Corridor will provide additional
trail and recreational opportunities and bring us closer to completing
the Industrial Corridor. Completing the Industrial Corridor and
linking the Middle Levee and Riverfront Corridors will create 6.5
miles of continuous trails in Evansville.
-
Historic Collett Park Pathway
Award: $900,000.00
The Collett Park Pathway is a 1.6-mile development of The National
Road Heritage Trail Greenway System in Terre Haute, Indiana. The
Collett Park Pathway will serve as a dedicated, multi-use, non-motorized
corridor that will directly link Terre Haute’s trail and greenway
system with Indiana State University, downtown, hospitals, parks,
schools, historic neighborhoods and natural areas.
The Collett Park Pathway will be a major resource to both the transportation
and recreational systems of Terre Haute given its connection to
The National Road Heritage Trail and its parallel relief orientation
to the heavily traveled U.S. 41 corridor.
-
B-Line Trail
Award: $900,000.00
This project will develop .65 miles of the 3.1-mile multi-use B-Line
trail in Bloomington. The B-Line trail is being developed on the
abandoned CSX Railroad corridor that runs through the heart of Bloomington’s
downtown extending from Adams Street south to Country Club Drive.
The City of Bloomington has ownership of this abandoned rail corridor
and has completed design and bidding on the first phase of construction.
This project will complete a portion of Phase II.
-
Salt Creek Trail Award: $725,000.00
Phase III of the Salt Creek Trail will start at a trailhead on the
western edge of Eagle Park (Brown County School Corporation property)
and run approximately 0.65 miles through the park, crossing Salt
Creek with a new bridge west of the existing Brown County State
Park. The trail will conclude with a trailhead in the State Park
near the current parking lot for the outdoor swimming pool. This
trailhead will be approximately 200 yards from the start of a mountain-biking
trail which already exists in the park.
-
Clarksville Levee Trail Award:
$900,000.00
The Clarksville Levee Trail Project will link the Falls of the Ohio
State Park and Interpretive Center, to George Rogers Clark State
Park, and Midway Park. The project will pave a 12’ wide footpath
on top of the floodwall for a distance of approximately 1.33 miles.
This segment will connect to the Lewis & Clark Trail, currently
under design, and become part of the 7-mile Ohio River Greenway
linking Jeffersonville, Clarksville and New Albany.
-
Statewide Mountain Bike Development
Award: $250,000.00
3 trail locations for approximately 25 miles of trail have been
identified as high priority for use of these funds.
-
Harmonie State Park: This
is a new trail system in the far south west corner of the State.
Building a world-class trail system in this region will act as a
catalyst for future trail construction in this region. The initial
5 miles of trail will be built largely by volunteers, but the steep
nature of the ravines will require a number of bridges. Also, a
beginner section of trail will be built by machine to ensure new
riders experience a premier trail.
O’Bannon Woods State Park: The existing 25 mile Adventure Hike
Trail at O’Bannon has fallen into disuse. The long-term plan
for the Adventure Hike Trail is to provide a rugged back county
trail for serious hikers and mountain bikers. In order to attract
the mountain bike community, a campground trail built to Intermediate
specifications is needed. Due to the remote location of O’Bannon,
the percentage of match funding and labor at O’Bannon will
be less than other projects. If additional volunteer labor can be
found, improvements to the Adventure Trail will begin.
-
Versailles State Park: Versailles
is a hidden gem with ten mile of mountain bike trails that rival
Brown County State Park. The current trail system has a single trail
that links the trailhead to the system of loops. A loop is possible,
but will require a difficult, but spectacular segment of trail underneath
a cliff wall. This difficult segment leads to an area of the park
with unique sink-hole features. The “Cliff Trail” will
add this unique section of trail and will lay the ground work for
a difficult yet spectacular segment of trail along the base of the
cliff wall.
-
Greenwood
Tracy Trail Award: $500,000.00
Tracy Trail will be a 10 foot wide asphalt multi-use trail with
2 foot grass shoulders. This completed trail will connect three
parks; Summerfield, Craig, and Woodmen to each other. Three schools
will be connected; Southwest Elementary, Greenwood Middle School,
and Greenwood High School. Six neighborhoods, four apartment complexes,
a bowling alley, and two retail areas will all be connected to one
another as well as to the aforementioned amenities. This first phase
will be approximately 1.9 miles long when completed.
-
-
Greenfield
-Pennsy Trail Extension Award: $800,000.00
The Greenfield Pennsy Trail Western Extension Trail Project is a
2.7 mile long trail beginning at the existing Pennsy Trail Center
Street trailhead and following the former Penn Central Railroad
right-of-way to County Road 150W. The Pennsy Trail Western Extension
will consist primarily of an accessible asphalt trail, landscaping,
signage, and trail amenities. The trail will be 12-feet wide with
2-foot stone shoulders where space permits. Landscaping will include
grass seeding along the trail, and shrubs, grasses, and flowers
at key points along the corridor. Trail amenities will include at
least benches, trash cans, railings, and bike racks.
A map of projects that will receive
funding is available on the DNR page here.
Green Flag for Speedway Trails
The newly formed Speedway
Trails Association (STA) has announced an inaugural 5k run/walk/bike
event called the "Diamond in the Rough" to promote their
town's budding trail plan. The April 19th, 2008 event will
start and finish at Leonard Park, located at 5400 W. 15th Street,
and the 3.1-mile loop will utilize portions of the undeveloped B&O
and Eagle
Creek Trails.
The future Eagle Creek Trail in Speedway
To help prepare the loop for the event, the STA is
calling for volunteers for a trail clearing on February 23rd, 10AM
at Leonard Park. Any appropriate hand tools for cutting small
brush are needed, including chain saws, as well as gloves and safety
glasses.
The trail clearing will start the long term goal of making the trails
in Speedway into safe, surfaced, and officially recognized trails.
The B&O Trail in Speedway is currently a 4-5 ft wide path
with the original chunky ballast from its railroad days. The
unofficial Eagle Creek Trail in Speedway runs along the creek's levee,
currently a grass-covered berm.
For more information on the clean-up, please contact
Nathan Fite - nathanfite@speedwaytrails.org
For more information on Speedway Trails and the Diamond
in the Rough event, please visit www.speedwaytrails.org.
Indy Parks/Greenways Planning Meetings
This month, Indy
Parks and Recreation will begin the year-long process of updating
the department’s comprehensive plan, the Indianapolis-Marion
County Park, Recreation and Open Space Plan, and the Greenways Master
plan. The Indiana Department of Natural Resources (IDNR) requires
the comprehensive plan be updated every five years.
This process consists of soliciting public input and
participation through two rounds of public meetings, user surveys,
and focus groups. Round one meetings, listed below, are fact-finding
meetings open to public comment in each township to gauge interest
in and support of future park and recreation amenities. Concurrently,
public comment regarding future greenway development and connectivity
will also be solicited. Each set of meetings will be identical in
format and presentation to ensure consistency for residents throughout
Marion County. A second round of public meetings will take place early
next fall, at which time Indy Parks staff will present a plan drafted
in response to the public feedback.
Citizen and user input, combined with additional state
and national data, will help analyze Indianapolis’ park and recreation
needs, evaluate universal accessibility in city parks, establish priorities,
and determine a schedule for implementation and completion. Plan components
include park facility inventory, natural & cultural resource inventories,
national recreation standards, and future needs and trends. Currently,
Indy Parks and Recreation operates 192 parks and eight greenways,
and maintains more than 11,000 acres of greenspace throughout Indianapolis-Marion
County.
Previous comprehensive plan updates have brought forth
the public’s desire for a skatepark, bark parks, and natural
resource areas (parkland left “natural”). The 2009 plan
will require approval of and adoption by the Board of Parks and Recreation,
IDNR, and the Metropolitan Development Commission (MDC) of Marion
County.
The public can contact the Indy
Parks Planning Office at 327-5106 with questions.
Public Meeting Schedule – Round I:
Franklin Township
Thursday, February 21 6:30 – 8 p.m.
Carver Education and Technology Center (Room 145)
6151 S. Franklin Rd.
Warren Township
Tuesday, February 26 6:30 – 8 p.m.
Warren Education and Community Center
975 Post Rd.
Lawrence Township
Thursday, February 28 6:30 – 8 p.m.
Lawrence North High School (Little Theatre)
7802 Hague Rd.
Wayne Township
Saturday, March 1
10 – 11:30 a.m.
Krannert Park Family Center (Cottingham Room)
605 S. High School Rd.
Decatur Township
Saturday, March 1
1:30 – 3 p.m.
Decatur Branch Library
5301 Kentucky Ave.
Pike Township
Tuesday, March 4
6:30 – 8 p.m.
Pike Freshman Center Conference Room
6801 Zionsville Rd.
Washington Township
Thursday, March 6
7 – 8:30 p.m.
Glendale Branch Library (upper level, south end)
6101 N. Keystone Ave.
Center Township
Thursday, March 13
6:30 – 8 p.m.
White River Garden’s Building (Hulman Riverhouse)
1200 W. Washington Street
Perry Township
Tuesday, March 18
6 – 7:30 p.m.
Southport Branch Library
2630 E. Stop 11 Road
Mayor’s Advisory Council on Disability
Wednesday, March 19
9:30 – 11 a.m.
Washington Park Family Center
3130 E. 30th Street
Northwest Indiana Bike Map Ready for Release
At long last, the Northwest Indiana Regional Planning
Commission (NIRPC) is ready to publicly release the first edition of
the Northwest Indiana Bike Map during a media event at the NIRPC office
at 6100 Southport Road, Portage, on Thursday, February 21st from 11:00AM
to 2:00pm (directly after the Executive Commission meeting). Representatives
from various cycling and trail organizations will speak and exhibit
at this momentous event, as well as answer questions from the media.
Afterwards, there will be a reception for member jurisdictions and other
invited stakeholders to attend.
 The map, which features highly detailed cycling and
trail routes, has undergone nearly a year of review and revision, and
the initial print run will yield 150,000 copies to be distributed free
of charge regionwide. Subsequent revisions and printings are planned
to occur every two years. The northwest Indiana region has a relatively
high concentration of rail-trails, including the popular Prairie-Duneland
and Erie Lackawanna Trails.
NIRPC is requesting RSVP's for this event no later than
Feb. 1st. Please contact Mitch Barloga for more information -
mbarloga@nirpc.org or 219-763-6060
x133.
Hamilton County Trail News
Bridge Over 146th Street
The Hamilton County Commissioners have revealed that
a $1.5 million trail bridge has been recommended by the Indianapolis
Regional Transportation Improvement Program, and that if approved by
a Metropolitan Planning Organization committee, construction could begin
as early as 2010. Funding of the bridge, 80% of which would
be covered by federal funds, is also contingent upon a 20% local match,
to be split by the cities of Carmel and Westfield. The Monon Greenway
is planned to be extended northward to 161st Street by the end of 2008,
including a new trailhead at Greyhound Pass (151st Street).
Monon Nets Two Major Grants in 2007
Construction of the Monon Trail in Westfield may finally
break its 6+ year stalemate with the announcement of an unexpected grant
from DNR and the Lilly Foundation. Lilly's $1.25 million grant
to DNR will be applied toward federal matching fund requirements for
5 ripe trail projects, including $250,000 for the Monon between 146th
and 156th Street. Westfield received a Transportation Enhancement
(TE) award to purchase and construct the trail several years ago; however,
progress on the project has been disappointingly slow. Westfield's
transition to cityhood in 2008, along with the matching gift from Lilly
and DNR, should enable a groundbreaking some time in 2008.
Another section between 156th and 161st Street is being
constructed as part of a residential development.
In addition, a $1 million TE award
for the 2007 cycle was announced for the Monon between 216th Street
and Lamong Road, which will connect to Sheridan's open section between
SR47 and Lamong Road.
The missing links between 161st and 216th Street is
anticipated to follow these new segments, although the pending upgrade
of US31 and SR32 may delay a completely connected trail from Carmel
to Sheridan for several years.
Midland Trace Progress
Last October, the Westfield Town
Council voted to form a committee for the Midland
Trace project's first phase. This phase will cover about
6 miles of trail through downtown Westfield, linking to the Monon Trail. The
approximately $8 million cost, which includes 3 new bridges, may be
bonded by the newly designated City of Westfield and Washington Township. The
Midland Trace, using the former Midland railroad corridor, is planned
to eventually extend from Gray Road on the east side to Eagletown on
the west side.
Westfield received a coveted $75,000 tourism development
grant from the Hamilton County Convention and Visitor's Bureau in 2007
to commission an engineering design for the Midland Trace through Washington
Township. The design will allow Westfield to begin purchasing
land and constructing trail segments as funding or adjacent development
allows.
The trail has the potential to link Washington Township, Noblesville
and Lebanon to the Monon trail. However, Noblesville's support
of the trail has been noncommittal; the city recently passed on an opportunity
to route the trail underneath Hazel Dell Road as the road is widened
to 4 lanes. The Monon Greenway in Carmel recently received such
a tunnel at 116th Street as part of that street's widening. Boone
County's section of the Midland corridor is still too rural to consider
trail development.
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