Indiana Trail News

The Indiana state trails plan Hoosiers on the Move took another leap forward on December 4th as Governor Daniels and the DNR announced two landmark measures to help communities develop more trails in Indiana.

During a luncheon at the Indianapolis Westin Hotel entitled "Securing the Future of Indiana's Greenways", hosted by the Greenways Foundation, Daniels carefully outlined his deep support of the trails plan and the new measures. The first announcement detailed a $1.25 million grant from the Lilly Endowment, which would immediately draw $5 million in matching federal funds and be put toward five ongoing trail projects ready for new construction. The funding outlay would be streamlined, unlike the current federal and state process for Transportation Enhancement awards, which typically takes 3 to 5 years from award to completion. The projects to receive the funds are the following:

Nickel Plate Trail in Howard, Miami and Fulton counties, completing the final 4 miles of the southern half of the trail.
White River Greenway in Muncie, helping to finish the 6-mile greenway and convert a brownfield site into public green space for the trailhead.
Cardinal Greenway, which winds through five eastern Indiana counties, to help build 4.5 miles of the trail in Wayne County.
Monon Trail, to construct a 1-mile extension within the city of Westfield.
Pumpkinvine Trail, completing a 2.3-mile section to connect Middlebury to the Elkhart-Lagrange County line.

The second major announcement involved former railroad property remaining from a 2001 settlement between Penn Central Railroad and landowners around the state. The Indiana DNR held extensive negotiations with the railroad's holding company, resulting in the purchase of approximately 150 miles of corridor distributed among 39 Indiana counties. The properties, while fragmented and scattered over a wide area, nevertheless represent a significant opportunity for local communities to get started on or extend trail projects. To build a trail, communities will still need to acquire some properties to fill the gaps in DNR ownership, but the newly acquired state property should provide incentive for new projects.

Governor Daniels addresses over 300 at the Greenways Foundation
luncheon, including (foreground table, left to right) Russ Pulliam of the Indianapolis Star, Indianapolis Mayor-Elect Greg Ballard, INDOT Director of Greenways Ray Irvin, and Greenways Foundation president Matt Klein.

There are several counties in which relatively long, usable stretches of corridor will be owned by DNR, but there are 3 that stand out:

National Road Heritage Trail, Henry County: About 20 miles of former Penn Central property lie along this project's intended path, along the southern border of Henry County. The NRHT is proposed from Terre Haute to Richmond, a distance of 150 miles. Currently there are 23 miles open and 54 miles planned or funded.
Wilbur Wright Trail, Henry County: This trail will connect New Castle on its west end with Losantville on its east end, a distance of about 14 miles. The Cardinal Greenway is currently paved in Losantville, representing a major future intersection.
Covered Bridge Gateway Trail, Parke and Vigo County: Although this conceptual trail has not been endorsed by any county group, the Penn Central deal will secure roughly 12 miles of nearly intact corridor between Rosedale and Rockville, and several miles between Rosedale and North Terre Haute. A study of the corridor and several proposed bridge designs was completed by Rose Hulman University students in 2005. Public support of trails in Parke County has been thin at best, however, despite the area's considerable dependence on tourism.

The conceptual Covered Bridge Gateway Trail in Parke and Vigo
County will get a critical boost from the DNR purchase.

Daniels pointed out that building trails had countless benefits for Hoosiers, not the least of which was the building process itself. "This is an opportunity for all of us, of all ages and all backgrounds, to work together for a common cause." Indiana, Daniels said, will work to meet and surpass other states' trail networks, many of which are far ahead of Indiana's. "It's exciting to imagine being able to ride a bike on trails from Evansville to the Dunes."

The luncheon, hosted by the Greenways Foundation, was full to capacity at over 300 attendees, including several sponsors from around the state. Also in attendance were Indianapolis mayor-elect Greg Ballard, DNR chief Rob Carter, and Inside Indiana Business host Gerry Dick, who MC'ed the event.

Greenfield Plans Extension for Pennsy Trail

The City of Greenfield has begun planning for a 3 mile western extension to its 3-mile Pennsy Trail. The existing trail was completed in 1998 on the former Pennsylvania Railroad right-of-way in the city’s downtown and east to CR 400E. The extension plan will take the trail west from the present western trailhead along right-of-way now owned by Eli Lilly to CR 150W. Preliminary talks between the trails steering committee with Lilly indicate that the company is very supportive of the construction of the rail-trail. The timeframe for construction is expected to be 2-3 years, owing largely to the single ownership of the proposed trail route.

After the extension, there will still be an unincorporated 4.5 mile gap in the trail between Greenfield and Cumberland. Indianapolis and Cumberland are in the construction stage of the 9.5-mile Pennsy Trail between Arlington Road and 600W.

The Pennsy Trail in Greenfield, Indianapolis and Cumberland are sections of the planned 150-mile cross-state National Road Heritage Trail.

For more information, contact the City Parks or Planning Departments at 317.477.4340 or 317.477.4320

Major Trail Grants Announced for 2007

The Indiana Dept. of Transportation has announced the recipients of the annual Transportation Enhancement (TE) awards for 2007. The federal TE program is the largest public grant available for trail projects in Indiana, with a cap of $1 million per award. Funding is extremely competitive, with only a handful of awards granted from over 100 applications. However, this year the program received a $5 million boost from Governor Daniels as part of the Hoosiers on the Move state trails initiative, for a total of $15 million toward trail projects.

(Applicant - Project Title - Award)
City of West Lafayette - Wabash Heritage Trail Extension - $811,784
Middlebury Park and Recreation - Pumpkinvine Nature Trail Phase 4 - $999,489
City of Fort Wayne - Pufferbelly Trail (Lawton Park to Franke Park Rail-Trail) - $967,166
Town of Shipshewana - Pumpkinvine Nature Trail Phase 4 - $517,530
City of Auburn - Rieke Park Recreation Trail - $512,000
Elkhart County Parks and Recreation - Pumpkinvine Nature Trail - $300,854
Aboite Trails - Ft Wayne Trails - $1,000,000
Hamilton County Parks & Recreation - Historic Bridge - $609,000
Community Hospitals Foundation - Emerson Ave Corridor Gateway Phase 1 - $1,000,000
City of Elwood - Streetscape Beautification - $872,598
City of Muncie South Muncie Gateway - Madison Street Enhancement - $677,526
Indiana State Fair Commission - 39th St. Bridge Rehabilitation - $860,000
Hamilton Co Parks/Adams Twp - Monon Greenway Land Acquisition - $1,000,000
Town of Cumberland - Cumberland Trail Phase 2, Buck Creek Trail - $1,000,000
Wayne County Cardinal Greenway - Wayne County Phase III - $1,000,000
Beech Grove Redevelopment Commission - Beech Grove Greenway Trail - $999,990
City of Muncie - White River Greenway Phase 3 - $836,623
City of Monticello - Historic Bridge (The Tioga Bridge) - $455,200
City of Delphi - Replica Canal Boat and Necessary Support Facilities - $550,392
City of Logansport – Historic Mill Race Trail Phase 4 - $1,000,000
Town of Schereville - Pennsy Northwest Trail Phasae 1 - $1,000,000
Crown Point Parks & Recreation - Penn-Erie Greenway Phase 1 - $524,000
Harrison County - Rothrock Mill Bridge Relocation to Indian Creek Trail - $262,500
City of Greensburg - Lincoln Street Roadway Enhancements - $1,000,000
City of Jeffersonville - Bicycle and Ped Ramp access for Big Four Bridge - $1,000,000
City of Aurora Ohio - Lesko Park Trail Enhancement - $800,000
Vanderburgh County - Burdette Park / USI Pedestrian, Bike & Nature Trail - $1,000,000
City of Mt. Vernon - Bend on the Ohio Trail - $1,000,000

Read the INDOT news release here.

Howard County Trail Plans Emerging

Howard County and Kokomo have established a citizen's advisory group, led by trail, cycling and stream activist Charlie Skoog, who are meeting regularly with county and city government officials to draft a countywide Alternative Transportation Master Plan. One of the group's primary objectives is to extend the Nickel Plate Trail southward into Kokomo from its current terminus at the Miami/Howard county line. The US31 upgrade in Kokomo, which will include several bridges over the former rail corridor, will present an upcoming opportunity for the group to work with INDOT on improvements to the trail.

The group has reported that grading is being completed with paving to follow on a 3.6 mile section (SR218 to 1100S in Miami County) of the Nickel Plate Trail from Bunker Hill to south of the town of Miami. When completed, there will be 7 miles of paved trail between the Wabash River and Howard County. There is also federal Transportation Enhancement Funding in place to complete the bridging of the Wabash River and connect the trail with Downtown Peru. The group is hopeful another RTP grant can be secured in the next budget cycle that will pave an additional 3.5 miles of trail from 1100S to Cassville in Howard County.

During October, the advisory group and the Friends of the Nickel Plate Trail were busy harvesting over 4,000 feet of eight foot high fencing that was donated by IDEM but had to be dismantled at the Continental Superfund Site in Kokomo. This fencing, valued at over $20,000, will be used as a buffer to segregate trail users from the adjacent Bunker Hill Drag Strip. Working on this project in addition to the Friends were Club Kokomo Roadrunners, Breakaway Bicycle Club Members, Wildcat Guardians, Miami Correctional inmates, and Community Service volunteers.

Cultural Trail Nears Opening of Phase One

Alabama Street from North to Market streets was milled, repaved, and re-striped during the last two weeks of October as phase one of the Cultural Trail nears completion. “Since Alabama Street is especially wide, the Cultural Trail does not take away a lane of parking or traffic,” explained Lori Miser, Department of Public Works lead administrator for the Cultural Trail. “The street will be repaved and re-striped with slightly more narrow lanes to maintain the current number of lanes for parking and traffic.”

The first phase of the 7.5-mile urban trail, one of the first of its kind in the USA, is anticipated to be open before the end of 2007. The entire project will be constructed in six corridor stages over three years, and is projected to be complete in late 2009.

For more information please visit www.indyculturaltrail.info

The Indiana Trails Plan at the State Fair

A major effort was launched at the State Fair to spread the word about Hoosiers on the Move, the Indiana state trails plan too add over 2000 miles of new interconnected trails throughout the state. The Greenways Foundation is helping to coordinate the state's collective initiative to implement the plan and help Indiana catch up and surpass our neighboring states in trail mileage. Two informational booths were hosted by volunteers from all over the state, one each in the DNR building and the INShape exhibit area.

The groundbreaking plan was drafted in 2006 by a collaboration of trail advocates from around the state and published by DNR and INDOT.

Although excitement for the plan to get moving is high, funding is still a major hurdle. Garnering public support for the plan will be crucial to ramping up funding for construction. Finding an effective strategy for coordinating, administering, and managing the trails plan's implementation on a statewide basis is also an ongoing discussion.

A series of FAQ's has been released by the Greenways Foundation to help educate the public about the trails plan.

1) What is this plan?
2) What is the cost of the plan?
3) Who is going to fund this cost?
4) How long will the plan take to carry out?
5) Why is this plan needed?
6) Who put this plan together?
7) How many miles of trails and greenways does this cover?
8) What will this do for my community?
9) Won't this bring crime to my community?
10) When will the State's first project be started?
11) I've heard that a trail will go from Indianapolis to Evansville along I-69. Is that true?
12) How can local groups get involved?
13) Will horses be able to use these trails?
14) Will this affect property taxes?
15) Who do I call if I want more information?
16) What is The Greenways Foundation?

1) What is this plan?

This is the first comprehensive plan for trails and greenways in the State since our state parks system was created. This plan will guide the development and expansion of a statewide system of trails to be used for recreation and transportation throughout Indiana. This is a tool for improving existing trails and developing future trails through sound planning and design.

2) What is the cost of the plan?

The cost of trail development on a per mile basis varies greatly dependent upon factors such as land acquisition, geographic area (urban or rural), terrain, environmental concerns, and additional infrastructure needs (bridges, river bank stabilization, etc.). The initial projected cost for the implementation of the statewide plan is $457 million over ten years. About half of the trails called for in the plan will be built as part of future road projects. That leaves an estimated $300 million in needed investment over a ten-year period.

3) Who is going to fund this cost?

Traditionally, trail development in Indiana has been paid for through a combination of federal and state funds, with local matching dollars coming from public and private sources. Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) Transportation Enhancement (TE) funds, Congestion Mitigation and Air Quality (CMAQ) funds, Recreational Trails Program (RTP) funds, and Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) funds are available for this purpose. Efforts are also underway to develop public/private partnerships with utility suppliers (high speed fiber optics, wastewater, etc.) that would pay to install lines under the surface of the trails being developed in certain areas of the state, and to identify other philanthropic entities interested in investing in trail development.

4) How long will the plan take to carry out?

The timeframe called for in the plan is ten years.

5) Why is this plan needed?

The goal of the plan is to have a trail within 15 minutes or 7.5 miles of every Hoosier household. The benefits of trails to individuals, communities and the state as a whole are seen in improved health and fitness, economic vitality (including increased tourism, corporate relocation and retention, recreation-oriented businesses, and other businesses frequented by trail users), alternative transportation opportunities, and the resulting energy savings/improved air quality. Creating a network of trails that connects communities to each other and to natural and cultural resources will magnify the benefits of the existing 180 miles of trail dispersed throughout the state while improving the quality of life for all Hoosiers.

6) Who put this plan together?

Nearly forty Hoosier residents from around the state volunteered to work with the Indiana Department of Transportation and the Indiana Department of Natural Resources put the plan together. Those on the Plan Steering Committee were chosen because of the expertise in the development of trails and greenways.

7) How many miles of trails and greenways does this cover?

The plan calls for turning 180 existing miles of trails and greenways into over 2,000 miles. Our neighbors are far ahead of us in the number of miles of trails on the ground. Michigan already has 1300 miles of trails open while Illinois and Ohio have 500 miles each.

8) What will this do for my community?

For many rural Indiana communities, having a trail will be a strong source of economic development, especially in the area of tourism related businesses. But more importantly, having a trail will be an asset that sets the community apart helping to differentiate it from other communities that are vying for new businesses and residents. Trails are a source of community pride and are a gathering place for local residents as well as visitors.

9) Won't this bring crime to my community?

Numerous studies have shown that trails are among the safest public spaces. And, generally speaking, when an abandoned piece of property that had been covered with weeds, litter and junk is paved with asphalt or crushed stone and brought back to life, vandalism and other crimes tend to be reduced dramatically.

10) When will the State's first project be started?

Projects are ongoing using existing state and federal resources. Special priority will be given to those projects that are a part of the master plan, though funding remains available for other local trail projects.

11) I've heard that a trail will go from Indianapolis to Evansville along I-69. Is that true?

There will be a bike trail connecting Indianapolis, Bloomington an Evansville but it will not be on the new I-69. The proposed bike route will focus on connecting many small communities to the scenic tourism Southeastern Indiana offers, along with new economic opportunities a world class bike route could bring.

12) How can local groups get involved?

Local groups of trail supporters will be a key to helping get the best trail project possible for their local community. Those communities that have a committed and interested group of supporters working with their neighbors will stand a better chance of getting infrastructure in place sooner than later.

You can get involved by contacting Ray Irvin at INDOT, Steve Morris at DNR or Ron Carter at the Greenways Foundation. They can work with you to find other interested trails supporters in your area or help you begin a group of supporters.

13) Will horses be able to use these trails?

In areas where it is safe for horses they will be allowed. Both the Indiana Trail Riders Association and the Indiana Horse Council were represented on the Trails Plan Steering Committee. Representatives of the Indiana Rural Development Council and the Indiana Farm Bureau were also part of the Committee.

14) Will this affect property taxes?

The addition of amenities such as trails should, in the long-term, help keep your property taxes lower by attracting more business and the employees of those businesses to your community thus raising your assessed valuation.

15) Who do I call if I want more information?

Ray Irvin, Indiana Department of Transportation, at 317-232-3936; Steve Morris, Indiana Department of Natural Resources, at 317-232-4070; or Ron Carter, The Greenways Foundation, at 317-848-7855

16) What is The Greenways Foundation?

The Greenways Foundation is a 501 c3, non-profit foundation that is dedicated to helping local communities throughout Indiana establish trails and greenways. The Foundation works with groups of local trails supporters, municipal and county governments, along with departments of the State of Indiana to bring the many benefits of linear parks to our citizens.

Delphi Raises Historic Stearns Truss Bridge

contribution from Dan McCain
The 1905 Winamac/Stearns Truss Bridge, perhaps the last of its kind in existence, now occupies space over the restored Wabash and Erie canal. The volunteer crew with lots of help from three crane operators placed the 78 foot restored iron span over the unique original iron caisson foundations in the heat of the day -- September 4, 2007

Soft unsettled soils from caisson installation earlier this summer prevented the larger crane from reaching as far over the reconstructed section of canal so a third crane had to be called in at the last moment. All went smoothly with the expertise of the Stahl and Schlick operators and our volunteer team.

This marks a decided improvement for Delphi's trails with this section of the Wabash Heritage Corridor Trail crossing in a much safer location. Now the hikers/bikers will avoid traffic on the busy County Road behind Pizza Hut and access points north and south along the canal's three mile section of historic towpath.

This towpath trail section now contains four historic bridges. Two are stone arch structures built in 1901 and the other two are more recent "gifts" from our volunteer crew. One is the 1873 Bowstring Arch "red bridge", placed in 1999, and now the newest is the 1905 Stearns Truss from Pulaski County. Also there are two hiker's tunnels on this very popular trail. One under the railroad spur and one under the US Highway 421.

The span is not complete until the wooden deck and rehabilitated safety railing is in place. Next will be the placement of steel stringers with wooden "nailing strips" of 4 x 4s bolted to the sides of the beams to support the oak deck. Then the cutting of White Oak logs onsite will be the order of a special day in about 3 weeks.

Logs were donate by Pike Lumber Company and another local donor while the access to steel stringers from Central Steel in Chicago was made possible by another volunteer from Fowler working through his employer Tuthill Industries west of Brookston. We were able to acquire the beams at a considerable lower discounted price.

Announcement of a "Community Day" for cutting these logs and decking the bridge will come this fall. Two portable sawmills will operate on either side of the canal west of Pizza Hut / Dairy Queen and a free lunch for volunteers will be provided by the Psi Ote Sorority.

Trails Workshop Planned

The Indiana Parks and Recreation Association and the Nickel Plate Trail, Inc. are hosting a workshop on November 8th in Peru. The title of the workshop is "the Perils and Pitfalls of Building Trails" and will highlight the pragmatic issues of executing trail projects in the field.

Download a registration form here.

Details follow:

Location: Peru, Indiana; Old Peru Firehouse at the corner of Main and Miami Street.
8:30AM - 4:45PM
Cost $35.00
Lunch included

Topics:
-Update on the status of the State of Indiana Trail Plan
-Trail Design and Writing RFP’s
-Dealing with INDOT - Post TEA Awards
-Getting your elected officials involved
-How Peru developed their trail system
-Walking the trails - what works and what does not work

Workshop Sponsors:
-Butler Fairman & Seufert Consulting Engineers
-GAI Consultants Globe Asphalt Paving Company
-Lester Recreation Designs

Agenda:
8:30-9 Registration - donuts/coffee/juice
9-10 Welcome and Overview
  5 Minutes Welcome from Mayor, James R. Walker
  20 Minute Overview of Peru’s Trails now and future-Mike Kuepper, Friends of the Nickel
Plate
  20 Minute Update on State Trail Plan Status-timeline & funding-Steve Morris, DNR Division of Outdoor Recreation
  10 Minute Introduction to the day’s activities - Melody Sweat, IPRA NRT&G Committee
Chair-elect
10-11:45 Trail walks (3 concurrent walks)
11:45-1 Lunch & Speakers
  Trail Design and Writing RFP’s-Alan Hamersly (BFS)
  Dealing with INDOT-Post TEA Awards - Phil Tevis, Cardinal Greenway
  Getting your elected officials involved - TBA
1-2:45 Trail Walks
2:45-3 Break
3-4:45 Trail Walks
4:45 End of workshop

We welcome your comments and questions: Contact us.
Copyright 2007 Greenways Foundation, Inc.