Monon Trail Inducted to Hall of Fame

INDIANAPOLIS – Central Indiana’s Monon Trail has been inducted into Rails-to-Trails Conservancy’s Rail-Trail Hall of Fame.

Since the Monon Trail opened in June 1996, hundreds of thousands of people have traveled its 15.7 miles from 10th Street in Indianapolis, north through Carmel and to 146th Street in Westfield. An additional portion of the trail will formally open in Westfield this spring, which will extend the trail to 161st Street.

“The Monon Trail makes that valuable connection of healthier places and healthier people. It’s the kind of connection that can truly change the landscape, behaviors and possibilities of a city for the better, and for generations to come,” says Keith Laughlin, Rails-to-Trails Conservancy president.

Formerly the Monon Railroad, the trail was created for recreation and commuter use. Today, the trail attracts a wide variety of trail-users — from bikers and inline skaters to dog walkers and mothers with strollers — who enjoy fun and fitness while commuting to work, traveling to nearby cultural attractions and other activities.

Rails-to-Trails Conservancy recognizes the Monon Trail as a model for other trails throughout the state of Indiana and describes it as “urban, urbane and well-traveled, the sort of trail and park that makes friends wherever it goes.”

Ron Carter, executive director of the Greenways Foundation, agrees. “The Monon has been a real boost, not only to the economy, but to community spirit," he says. “The trail is just a wonderful place for everybody to come together. It makes our community an excellent place to live and work and raise a family.”

Laughlin announced the selection of the Monon Trail as a Hall of Fame Trail on March 24 at the Greenways Foundation’s annual luncheon. On hand to accept the award were representatives from both Westfield and Carmel, including Westfield Mayor Andy Cook and Jim Engledow, president of the Carmel/Clay Parks Board.

Beginning in 2007, Rails-to-Trails Conservancy, a national nonprofit organization that works with communities to preserve unused rail corridors by transforming them into trails, began nationally recognizing exemplary rail-trails for induction into the Rail-Trail Hall of Fame. The five-year program will recognize 25 trails across the country to coincide with Rails-to-Trails Conservancy's 25th Anniversary in 2011.

Inductees are selected based on the following criteria: scenic value, high use, trail and trailside amenities, historical significance, excellence in management and maintenance of facility, community connections and geographic distribution.

Hall of Fame rail-trails are awarded special signage along the trail, are featured as a Trail of the Month on Rails-to-Trails Conservancy's Web site and are highlighted in Rails to Trails magazine.

For more information about Rails-to-Trails Conservancy and the Rail-Trail Hall of Fame, visit www.railstotrails.org. For more information about the Greenways Foundation or the Monon Trail, visit www.greenwaysfoundation.org.