Lawrence, Indy partnership hope Next Level Trails grant will extend Fall Creek Greenway
Residents in Lawrence are gaining momentum for a new trail extension that would connect to the greenways system in Indianapolis.
Indy’s Urban Wilderness, a non-profit organization, has teamed up with the cities of Lawrence and Indianapolis and the Central Indiana Community Foundation to put together a grant application to fund construction of the 1.7-mile extension.
J. Franklin Roesner, representing the IUW board, said the big goal is connectivity in Lawrence.
“It will be a catalyst for the community to see the potential of the city and how new infrastructure opens the mind to new possibilities,” Roesner said. “This will connect people to the trail.”
If the extension is built it will stretch the current trail to more than 20 miles. Fall Creek Greenway has so far been developed in segments, and the current proposal to extend it will help the greenway stretch closer to the ultimate goal of reaching Fishers in Hamilton County.
Where is the extension going?
The proposed extension would begin at the intersection of 63rd Street and Lee Road in Lawrence and travel to the Upper Fall Creek Loop Trail off Fall Creek Road near the Geist Crossing Shoppes strip mall.
Engineers are currently drawing up plans, but Don Colvin, deputy director of Indianapolis Parks and Recreation, said the extension would be a unique experience if completed.
Some sections will go 50-100 feet into the wood line along Fall Creek Road and might include boardwalks where it crosses floodplains.
“It’s a really special time getting everyone to work toward one common goal,” Colvin told a crown of a little more than 70 people Tuesday night.
The crowd was gathered at AJ’s Bar and Grille to listen to the proposal and lend support.
How will the extension be funded?
While exact estimates for the cost of the extension are still unknown, Colvin said it could be around $6.2 million to get it built.
The partnership is seeking a Next Level Trails grant, part of Gov. Holcomb’s initiative through the Department of Natural Resources to accelerate trail connections.
The grant program offers up to $5 million for regional projects connecting trails and requires a 20% match from the applicant, which the partnership has already secured through the Lily Endowment and CICF.
Who is supporting the extension?
The City of Lawrence is taking the lead writing the grant application with the support of IUW and the Indianapolis parks and public works departments.
State Rep. Carey Hamilton, D-Indianapolis, who serves the district where the extension will be built, was at the gathering Tuesday evening lending her support as well.
“Whenever we talk about trails, there are economic benefits and quality of life benefits that go with them,” Hamilton said. “It’s a very smart investment that serves the community.”
Hamilton, Roesner and other speakers Tuesday night received loud applause from the dozens in attendance who hope to see the extension move forward.
How can people get involved?
The application deadline for the grant application is August 1, and IUW and its partners hope to show the application committee that the public is behind the request for the $5 million grant.
IUW is starting a letter-writing campaign, which can be done by visiting indysurbanwilderness.com and contacting the group for a letter.
The group is also accepting donations to further prove the momentum behind the application.
“Just as important as the 20% match, just as important as the engineering study, we’ve got to seek out support.” Roesner said. “There’s a short runway here and we’re working furiously.”
IndyStar's environmental reporting project is made possible through the generous support of the nonprofit Nina Mason Pulliam Charitable Trust.
This article originally appeared on Indianapolis Star: Fall Creek Greenway extension gains support from Lawrence, Indy
