STA Has Initial Meeting with Indy Greenways Development Committee


(posted July 1)



The Speedway Trails Association is quickly making contact among the necessary entities as a precursor to starting a trail system. This time, the members met with the Indianapolis Greenways Development Committee (IGDC) to show their interest for trail development. The IGDC advises the Board of Indianapolis Department of Parks and Recreation to promote, preserve and improve greenways.

STA President Bev Dotlich presented an "unofficial map" to the IGDC, explaining the map has been part of an STA discussion of a vision to develop B&O, Conrail, Eagle Creek corridors as well as an internal trails to link Meadowood Park and Leonard Park. She indicated the development of the B&O corridor is probably first on the list since the town owns much of the corridor. The corridor is also the southern boundary to the Speedway Junior High School athletic field and Leonard Park. The undeveloped Eagle Creek Trail intersects the B&O and would lend itself to develop the Eagle Creek Levee into a trail.

Karina Straub of Indy Greenways said there have been internal talks to develop the Eagle Creek Levee "sooner rather than later."

John Meyer member of IGDC said the STA's map lacks north-south trails. He "personally" recommended a trail following the Georgetown Road alignment if it is vacated. The Speedway Redevelopment Commission's proposed master plan calls for vacating Georgetown Road.

IGDC Chairman Gregory Silver thought it was a good idea and recommended a meeting with the IMS CEO Tony George to share the idea.

Silver also cautioned the group to keep watchful eye on zoning and development because it could alter the trail system. Last November, the Speedway Board of Zoning Appeals refused to add a stipulation to Zipp Speed Weaponry's variance that would require an easement of the B&O to Indy Greenways.

Tina Jones of Indy Greenways recommended researching the corridors' historical significance to be able to capture more grant dollars. Speedway might have greater access to additional grants since the B&O runs through Speedway's National Historic District.

Indy Greenways is focusing on the historical side of the trail. Jones shared some history of the beginning of Indianapolis' trail system. She explained that in 1900s a group of businessmen hired George Kessler to create a master plan called Indianapolis Park and Boulevard System. She said it was not intended to be a park plan but an economic development plan that tied business development with nature by connecting it with the five river systems. She noted that Eagle Creek was part of that plan.

Steve Morris of Indiana Department of Natural Resources explained the B&O and Eagle Creek trails are state visionary trails and considered important to the state's plan to have linear parks within 15 minutes of every resident. He also noted that the Conrail corridor is not in the Indy Greenways' Master Plan and recommended including the Conrail corridor in the Indy Greenways' plan. He said developers have recently purchased a 19 acre site at the southeast corner of US 136 and I-465, and Conrail extends through the property. Morris said the developers are trail enthusiasts with plans to develop a trail with a slightly altered route that does not use the entire Conrail corridor. Morris explained the development of the Conrail trail is in  the MPO Pedestrian Master Plan, so it has a regional recognition.