The Indiana Department of Natural Resources and the town of Sheridan celebrated the completion of phase 1 of the Monon Trail extension in northern Hamilton County today.
The asphalt multi-use trail was constructed by the town of Sheridan with help from a $2,089,850 Next Level Trails, NLT, grant. The award was announced by Gov. Eric J. Holcomb in April 2022 as part of the third grant round of NLT.
“The Monon Trail is a shining example of the immense value we gain when folks work together to build trails,” said Dan Bortner, DNR director. “This iconic central Indiana trail runs more than 26 miles through multiple counties and communities, which requires collaboration to make possible. We’re proud to come alongside so many Hoosiers who use the Monon Trail daily to support this trail extension with Next Level Trails funding support.”
The new trail extends 0.75 miles north from the existing Monon Trail at State Road 47. The trail follows the historic railroad corridor north into the town center of Sheridan to 2nd Street. Construction of phase 1 included a new trailhead with parking at Ohio Street. To the south, the existing Monon Trail extends more than 26 miles and travels through Westfield, Carmel, and Broad Ripple, ultimately terminating at 10th Street in downtown Indianapolis.
Phase 2 will begin in 2025, extending the trail 1.1 miles north to the Hamilton/Boone county line, completing the trail within Hamilton County.
“This is an exciting time for the Sheridan community. We are thrilled to bring the Monon Trail to downtown Sheridan and to offer parking options for trail and downtown visitors at the new trail head,” said Silas DeVaney, Sheridan Town Council president. “Next year’s trail extension project will deliver the Monon to the Hamilton County boundary, and we are happy to pass the torch of extending this iconic park to Boone County. We would not have been able to accomplish this project without the Next Level Trails program.”
As part of Gov. Holcomb’s Next Level Connections initiative, NLT is the largest infusion of trails funding in state history. The now $180 million program is administered by the DNR and facilitates critical trail connections within and between Hoosier communities. Thirty-seven of the 89 NLT projects are complete, totaling more than 103 miles of trail built since the program’s inception. Several projects are under construction, with many more slated to break ground during the next year.
More information about NLT is at on.IN.gov/NextLevelTrails.