Group Looks at Options to Open B&O Trail on Temporary BasisSpeedway is finally on the radar screen with Indy Greenways as a party interested in trail development for the B & O Trail and Eagle Creek Trail system. For years, Indy Greenways has not made the Westside its top priority in trail development because they did not want to face what they perceived as a strong resistance from Speedway landowners adjacent to the B&O trail. Approximately 20 Speedway residents attended an April 18 joint meeting with Indy Greenways, Greenways Foundation, National Road Heritage Trail Association, and B&O Trail Association members to find out the steps needed for trail development so all parties can create a combined effort to turn a vision into a reality. The Speedway Town Council is neither actively pursuing trail development nor dedicating funds to such a project, but it has passed a resolution to endorse the trail, according to former town councilman Ed Frazier. Speedway is fortunate to have two trail intersecting the town. Resident Herman Greenwood raised an issue, asking if the town residents should focus on developing both trails or select the trail that would provide the most benefits to the town as a starting point. Donald Colvin of Indy Greenways explained Eagle Creek Trail would probably be their first priority on the Westside since that trail development started at 56th Street and Reed Road. However, the levee system serves as stumbling block for trail users in Speedway. The Indianapolis Department of Public Works controls the levee and it has posted no trespassing signs on the site. Colvin said the city could not open the trail because it is not handicapped accessible. Greg Midgley of the NRHTA requested the DPW and Indy Greenways turn the levee system over temporarily to a volunteer group to develop a rustic trail. The non-government group could post signs that it is a rustic trail and accessibility could be difficult. It would also be responsible for providing the liability insurance. The non-governmental group would oversee the rustic trail until Indy Greenways had sufficient money to pave the trail. He said the temporary rustic trail would be a jump-start to keep the trail development momentum going. Midgley explained this was the method used to develop three and a half miles of the trail between Amo and Coatesville because the towns and the sewer conservancy acquiesced their control to NRHTA. He said volunteers did the trail clearing and posting of rustic trail notifications. John Hale said the trail is currently being used as a de-facto rustic trail by all terrain vehicles. These ATVs can do destructive damage to the levee. He thinks an organized volunteer group controlling the trail could prevent these trespassers from using the trail Colvin didn't totally discount the idea, but he did express reservations by saying he would have to have an internal meeting with the DPW before he could officially make a comment about the idea. Indianapolis is a large city, and he was afraid the inaccessibility issues would place the city in a potential lawsuit situation even if they acquiesced temporary control. He was also worried that the volunteer group could place themselves in harms way since they lack police powers to force ATVs off the trail. Ron Carter of Greenways Foundation said it usually takes anywhere from seven to ten years from the organizational inception to actually laying down trail asphalt. One important step is to inform all landowners the intent to develop the trail. He noted the non-profit entity serves as financial management arm, so volunteer groups can raise trail funds without having to create their own non-profit status. The money is dedicated to the trail organization, but Greenways Foundation holds the money until it is needed. BOTA member Jeff Smallwood said BOTA is overseeing the entire 65-mile trail from Tenth and Tibbs Avenue to the Wabash River. Currently the group's main thrust is trying to buy land from CSX in Hendricks County. Smallwood said a Speedway subgroup of the B & O Trail would be beneficial to their effort. He noted the BOTA also could serve as a fiduciary non-profit group to help Speedway raise funds for B & O Trail. The residents decided to formally organize a greenway group by meeting May 23 at the Speedway Public Library at 6 p.m. The residents agreed the trail system would be beneficial to the town, especially with the Speed Zone's Master Plan unveiling May 21. The informal vision concept recommended developing the B & O Trail. Resident Susan Luebbert suggested more of an oval development with the B & O and Eagle Creek Trail to send traffic into both redevelopment areas. The shopping centers and restaurants, located on Crawfordsville Road, are part of the second redevelopment area. |
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