Speedway Welcomes Trail

By Linda Karn
Donald Colvin of Indy Greenways never expected to hear that Speedway has changed its attitude to one of support towards developing the B & O Trail. The town’s past actions have demonstrated clearly to Indy Greenways that it was not an interested party in trail development.Parks board members Ray Lawrence and Lisa Edington initiated a meeting January 24 with Donald Colvin and Karina Straub of Indy Greenways to say a groundswell of interest is here.
Lawrence emphasized that leadership is changing in town and recognize the need for the trail and its economic potential.
Colvin was surprised to learn of the trail interest as Lawrence showed Colvin the parks master plan that included a connection to the B & O Trail. Edington displayed the redevelopment commission’s three visions that included the greenway as developed in its concepts.
It was naysayers of the past that have overshadowed Indy Greenways’ desire and effort to pursue development of the B & O Trail. The trail starts at Tenth Street and Tibbs Avenue extends west through Speedway to Montezuma, Indiana. Even the most recent Board of Zoning Appeals (BZA) action iced the conditions of elcoming Indy Greenways into the area.
On November 6, the BZA refused Indy Greenways’ request for a 60-foot easement of the B & O Trail located on Zipp’s property at 1140 Main Street. The BZA cited private property rights as the reason not to grant the easement request to preserve the trail corridor. The meeting also revealed Zipp acquired this easement from the town.
The town’s action further cemented its long-standing attitude of a disinterested party when it comes to developing the B & O Trail.
“We go where we are welcomed,” Colvin said as he reflected on these past experiences. The city’s perceived message from Speedway “of not interested” placed these trail developments farther down the priority list. Colvin noted that Indy Greenways has other projects started but the B & O Trail is still on the list as well as the estimated 22-mile Eagle Creek Trail. Both trail systems pass through Speedway and intersect at the levee system.
Colvin apprised Lawrence of the current trail development activities. The resources are currently dedicated to the development of the White River Greenway South Trail that starts at the Indianapolis Zoo and ends at Raymond Street between Harding and West Street.
“These trails are not cheap to build,” he said. Colvin explained that federal dollars dictate that trails must be built to highway specifications; therefore, construction cost per mile ranges from $800,000 to $1,000,000.
Colvin did not downplay the importance of the B & O Trail even though he could not predict when the development would start. “The B & O Trail is another Monon Trail that is waiting to happen,” Colvin said. An IUPUI study revealed that properties along the Monon Trail have increased in value by 13 percent.
Indy Greenways still wants to maintain a partnership with Speedway. He noted the town residents could assist by starting a group like Friends of the B & O Trail to gain fundraising dollars.
He said the Greenways Foundation could serve as fiduciary non-profit organization that would set up a fund for Speedway. Greenways Foundation has become a statewide fundraising arm to assist communities around the state with trail development. By using this organization, individual groups do not have to create their own non-for-profit entity to raise money.
Lawrence also inquired if the levee was accessible to use even if undeveloped. Lawrence was hoping it could build trail enthusiasm once people started walking the levee. He wanted to capitalize on Eagle Creek Trail first, hoping it would jumpstart the B & O Trail.
Colvin could not approve of the request because Department of Public Works controls the levee. The DPW wants the no trespassing signs honored for liability reasons even though it is public property. The no trespassing signs are necessary because street crossings are not adequately marked to protect trail users from traffic. In addition, it lacks the accessibility requirements mandated by American With Disabilities Act. These deficiencies would place the City of Indianapolis in a position of liability.
Colvin said some progress has been made on the Eagle Creek Trail. A one-mile segment has been asphalted at the 56th Street and Reed Road to 46th Street and its southern destination at Raymond Street.