On the horizon for the eastside of Indianapolis is the long awaited Pennsy Greenways Trail which is in the final stages of design. Residents and businesses are hopeful that the trail will create an economic boon for the eastside community of Indianapolis. The proposed 5.5 mile multi-use trail will be a resource to both the transportation and recreation systems of the Indianapolis Area. It will connect with the planned Cumberland Pennsy Trail from German Church Road at the east border of Marion County, and with the Pleasant Run Trail linking eastside neighborhoods like Historic Irvington with Garfield Park and ultimately the White River.

The Pennsy Trail has aroused so much excitement on the eastside because of the example set by the Monon Trail. Greenways trails do many things to enhance a community.
"We anticipate the Pennsy Trail will be a tremendous catalyst for positive change along the corridor. Our greenways provide recreation and a greater sense of community to neighborhoods. They also spur the type of commercial and residential investment that strengthen a neighborhood," stated Peggy Boehm, the new Greenways Administrator for Indy Parks.

The Penn Central Rail corridor has had a variety of owners beginning with the completion of the rail line in 1853 under the Indiana Central Railroad. The corridor runs parallel to the existing Old National Road which most people recognize as Washington Street or U.S. 40. As the Pennsylvania Railroad expanded west to reach new development; it acquired the stretch of track between Indianapolis and Richmond in 1921. The corridor then became known as the "Pennsy". Shortly after the merger of the Pennsy with the New York Central Railroad in 1968, the Penn Central rail line claimed bankruptcy. In 1982, the Indiana Central line that contains Pennsy Trail was formally abandoned by the railroad companies.
Upon its completion, the Pennsy trail will be an instrumental piece in helping the state of Indiana fulfill their statewide initiative of having a recreational trail run from Illinois to Ohio.


The architectural design firm of Storrow Kinsella Associates were hired by the Indianapolis Department of Parks and Recreation to coordinate and design the project. They have proposed many trail design features and amenities that will enhance the project including the ability to cross over five different water features and the potential for a nature conservation area.
The design and land acquisition was made possible through collaboration between Indy Parks and the Indiana Department of Transportation. A thumbnail estimate for trails construction is $750,000 per mile which would put the cost of the Pennsy Greenways project at over $4 million.
Though it will likely be some years before the trail is completed, the good news is the design work is in the final stages.
"I am happy to say that design work is nearly completed. Next, we will conduct a public meeting and then move forward to the land purchases necessary for the Trail," expressed Boehm.

For more information on the Pennsy Greenways Trail go to http://www.indygov.org/eGov/City/DPR/Greenways/Pennsy+Rail-Trail.htm

Sources: Indy Parks (Greenways Division) and Storrow Kinsella Associates
Submitted by Erika Cheney, INRC Board of Directors