Holcomb opens newest section of the Big 4 Trail in Zionsville

Jun. 2—"When somebody tells me to take a hike, I take it as a compliment," Gov. Eric Holcomb told a crowd. "I'm on my way."

Holcomb on Wednesday joined Zionsville Mayor Emily Styron and Carmel Mayor James Brainard for the ribbon cutting of the Big 4 Trail in Zionsville, which will connect almost all of Boone County via trail.

"Our Next Level Trail grant application process included members of our staff from nearly every town department including parks, public works, planning, finance and administration," Styron said. "I am so grateful for the team's efforts."

Styron said the grant money allowed Zionsville to obtain the remaining pieces of land to complete the Big 4 Trail in town.

As part of the ceremony, Brainard, a Rails-to-Trails Conservancy board member, formally presented Holcomb with the Doppelt Family Rail-Trail Champion award. Holcomb is the 40th honoree and the first acting governor to be recognized as a Rail-Trail Champion.

Next Level Trails awarded Zionsville $1,812,295 in March for a 1.79-mile extension of the trail. Wednesday's ribbon cutting marked the completion of its southern section, which connects to Overley-Worman Park and the Vonterra neighborhood at Zionsville Road. The project also included rehabilitation of a bridge over Starkey Avenue.

"The extension of the Big-4 Rail Trail in Zionsville is a prime example of the impact that dedicated state-level funding can have in delivering the economic and quality-of-life benefits of trails to more people," President of Rails-to-Trails Conservancy Ryan Chao said. "The Next Level Trails Program that Gov. Holcomb has championed, and that has funded several segments of the Big-4 Rail Trail, is a model for states across the country. It's a vital, sustainable funding source that levels the playing field for rural, suburban, and urban trail projects — investing in infrastructure that connects people and places."

Since 2011, the Doppelt Family Rail-Trail Champions Award has honored individuals who made significant contributions to the rail-trail movement through their hard work, volunteerism, and support. The award is named in honor of the late rail-trail philanthropist Jeffrey Doppelt. Learn more about the nation's Rail-Trail Champions: rtc.li/trail-champions.

As part of Holcomb's Next Level Connections initiative, NLT is the largest infusion of trails funding in state history. The $150 million program is administered by the Indiana Department of Natural Resources and facilitates critical trail connections within and between Hoosier communities. To date, $120 million has been awarded to build 190 miles of trails throughout Indiana. Nine NLT projects are fully complete for a total of 24.6 miles.