Not long after Indianapolis began developing the Monon, Franklin began developing its Historic Greenway Trail. After that, Greenwood began work on a trail system of its own. Now officials and interested members of the public are talking about developing a county-wide trail system that might even allow someone to ride a bicycle from Franklin to downtown Indianapolis.
That's the spirit that will be celebrated Saturday, which is National Trails Day. Parks officials are quick to point out that trails are among the most used of recreational elements.
Center Grove Trails Inc. and Greenwood Trails Advocacy Board will sponsor a trail walk Saturday to recognize National Trails Day. The public is invited to join members to help raise trail awareness.
For more information on the walk, visit www.centergrovetrails.org .
The state is helping in the trails effort. Gov. Mitch Daniels recently 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," Daniels said.
The one-time distribution will be directed to 28 projects throughout the state by the Indiana Department of Natural Resources 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.
Trails contribute mightily to quality of life in communities. Not only do they offer a transportation network alternative to passenger vehicles, trails can help with fitness as well. And just ambling along a path can be a relaxing way to spend some time.
The state's 10-year plan calls for every Hoosier to be within 15 minutes of trails. Most Johnson County residents already meet that standard. Trails are a growing trend in park planning. We hope that they prove to more than a passing fancy and that efforts like National Trails Day won't be a one-time occurrence.
By SARAH MICHALOS
Staff writer
May 15, 2008
Diane Smith wants to be able to pedal from her Center Grove subdivision to pick up a movie at the video store or stop for ice cream with her family. But when Smith rode her bike to Super Target on State Road 135 from her home in Eagle Trace to return a few items, she didn't feel safe. She said she wobbled down the painted line near the edge of the pavement as vehicles whizzed by, then she moved into the grass before taking a detour behind Home Depot and Applebee's to avoid traffic. "I consider myself more daring than most normal people, so I'll ride on the streets," Smith said. "But I shouldn't have to."
As the unincorporated Center Grove area grows, employees of the Johnson County Highway Department are thinking about ways to design roads that serve pedestrians and cyclists as well as drivers. The department is considering the long-term maintenance cost of a sidewalk and what the sidewalks would connect to, director Gary Vandegriff said. "The things we look at are: Do they make sense there? What's connected to them? Where would they go and what would they do for that road?" he said. "It just doesn't make sense to build a sidewalk that connects to nothing."
The intersection of Stones Crossing and Morgantown roads, an 80 percent federally funded project to add turn lanes on both roads, will have pedestrian crosswalks that connect to short sidewalks, Vandegriff said.Each day, more than 9,000 people drive through the intersection, which is near Center Grove High School and Center Grove Middle School Central. Many of the road intersection improvement projects across the state that are in the early stages now fall under multi-modal transportation, Vandegriff said. Multi-modal transportation means an intersection is safe and accessible for people driving, riding bikes and walking.
For Smith, being able to ride her bike to Hampton's Market on State Road 135 in Greenwood would improve her quality of life. As a nature lover, she enjoys the scent of flowering trees in the spring as she pedals under them. And not having to fill up her car's gas tank with prices hovering around $4 a gallon relieves some of her stress, she said. "But I'm tired of having to maneuver around cars to make a short trip," the Center Grove area resident of more than five years said. "Even a shoulder on roads would help." Roads with no shoulders are one reason Greenwood resident Don Cummings doesn't extend his bike rides and walks to the Center Grove area. He says the roads just aren't safe. "They've got not only a lot of sidewalk-less roads but shoulder-less roads as well," he said. "I think it's partially a result of Center Grove being in an unincorporated area, where they have little influence over planning their own future."
Cummings has been an advocate for trails and sidewalks since 2001, when he became frustrated that he couldn't go on safe bike rides with his children. Now, thanks to Cummings' involvement as a member of the Greenwood trails advisory board, the city has a pedestrian trail and more sidewalks near neighborhoods and businesses. Cummings said he pushed for Center Grove area residents to start a trails and sidewalks advocacy group. Now, Center Grove Trails is working with the county highway department to apply for a federal grant that would fund construction of a trail to connect Brentridge Estates subdivision to Center Grove Elementary School and Center Grove Middle School Central. Sidewalks are the next thing group members should back, Cummings said.
One reason why Center Grove doesn't have many sidewalks is because the area developed so quickly, Vandegriff said. Today, county employees and developers realize that sidewalks or pedestrian crosswalks are needed in most road and intersection improvements, but that wasn't the case five years ago. No sidewalks were built when the county made improvements to Smith Valley Road about two years ago because then, the area was more rural, Vandegriff said. "It certainly is on our radar now," he said. "We're trying to make good decisions about connectivity: Does this area include destinations where people would want to go?" Going back and adding sidewalks along roads is an option, but one that would require more planning and probably an adjustment to the road repair budget. Vandegriff wasn't sure how much building sidewalks adds to a project's cost, but he said the construction costs would be minimal compared to money spent maintaining them over the years. Well-maintained sidewalks can last 30 to 40 years with regular wear and tear. But if a concrete sidewalk is built over a utility line or uneven ground, it can deteriorate quickly and has to be replaced after only a few years, Vandegriff said.
Cyclists to pedal to work
By SARAH MICHALOS
Staff writer
May 15, 2008
Friday, Hoosiers will ditch gas pedals for bike pedals.
As part of Bike to Work Day, Indiana residents are encouraged to ride their bikes to work, cutting down on carbon emissions and getting some exercise.
Although the event is one day, avid cyclist Bob Locke hopes people who give a motorless commute a try decide to make it a habit.
"Not only is it very healthy, but it's also a very easy way to get around,"
he said. "And with gas prices so high, Friday's an incentive to get on your bike and ride."
As a leader of a bike group leaving from Perry Park on the city's southside Friday morning, Locke will show riders a safe route from their homes to downtown.
Major roads such as State Road 135 and U.S. 31 aren't part of the route, Locke said. Even experienced riders who bike to work every day, like most of his employees at Bicycle Garage Indy: South, know to avoid busy roads as a safety precaution.
Finding a path that has sidewalks or shoulders is the first step to forming a daily commute, Locke said.
In the 15 years he's managed the cycling shop, he said it's become easier for people to commute on bicycles.
"Companies are becoming more bike-friendly, with more parking for bicycles,"
Locke said. "And I've heard that some companies are installing showers and locker rooms as incentives for people to ride their bikes."
During last year's bike to work event, 15 to 20 southside residents showed up at Perry Park to bike downtown, Locke said.
The riders travel in a group, and the leaders go slow enough for all riders to keep up during the 12-mile trip.
Locke expects a much bigger turnout this year because of high gas prices, but he's worried about the weather. Friday's forecast is partly cloudy with a 20 percent chance of rain, according to the National Weather Service.
"Most people will suit up for the rain," Locke said. "We may see a lot of people in raincoats."
Group OKs Nearly $6.5M for Lakeshore Project
Merrillville--A development group has approved spending almost $6.5 million for lakeshore redevelopment in Whiting and East Chicago. The funding is part of the Marquette Greenway Plan, which calls for developing 21 miles of Lake Michigan shoreline for public recreation. Tuesday's grant is the third from the Northwest Indiana Regional Development Authority to go toward lakefront development since January 2006. The $2.56 million appropriated for Whiting will be part of a $4.9 million package that will pay to bring utilities and other infrastructure to Lakefront Park. It will also fund a bike trail that will link with trails coming out of Hammond. The project also will receive $2.34 million from the federal government, the city, and the local BP refinery. "This project will transform Whiting" said Brian Lowry, city community development director. --Star news services-March 27, 2008
