Construction Zones 2003

Construction Zones 2002

September 21, 2001

Indy Greenways construction zones

Partner project. The Indiana School for the Blind recently completed and dedicated its formal entrance to the Monon Trail. The entrance features a shelter, water fountain, benches and sculpted columns.

As the photo at left shows, the surfaces of the tall, freestanding columns are finished with tiles made by the students at the school. The walking surfaces also are tiled, so that students can tell by the feeling beneath their feet whether they are in the entranceway or on the busy, smooth-surfaced trail. Landscaping plants are in place along the trail.

Design of the entrance was entirely donated by members of the local chapter of the American Society of Landscape Architects, as part of that organization's Centennial celebration. The construction portion of the project, also donated by local firms, was headed up by Smock-Fansler Construction Company, one of Indy Greenways' best corporate friends.

Below, photos show the finished project as well as scenes from earlier this year.

Want to be informed? The Indianapolis Greenways Development Committee (IGDC) is the citizens advisory group for all trails and greenways in the city and county -- and the committee's meeting minutes are online for your review. This is the single best source -- other than going to the public IGDC meetings -- for keeping up-to-date with greenways plans and accomplishments.

Year 2000, in review

We were busy building Indy Greenways during 2000, as this photo album shows.

Pedestrian islands

Users of the White River Wapahani Trail now have an easier time crossing West 16th Street, thanks to a new pedestrian island (shown at left). Islands also have been installed at several busy street crossings on the Monon Rail-Trail.

At the Depot

We installed new decking and restrooms for trail users at Greenways Headquarters, in the Depot at 64th Street and the Monon Rail-Trail.

Boulevard Station

Renovation is complete on this historic structure at 38th Street and the Monon Rail-Trail, next to the Indiana State Fairgrounds.

IMA Lake Trail

Crews worked to improve the existing trail that circles the lake and to clear honeysuckle and other invasive species from the banks of the lake and White River. The Indianapolis Museum of Art will create a sculpture garden and outdoor gathering areas around the lake.

New Central Canal Towpath bridge

A new bridge next to College Avenue, built in Montreal, Canada and delivered as a single 110-foot-long unit, opened to users July 1. Its installation marked the completion of Phase 1 of the Canal Project of Broad Ripple, a campaign to recreate the Central Canal as a community gathering place.

Central Canal Towpath landscaping

The Central Canal Towpath got a facelift this summer with terracing and landscaping between Guilford Avenue and the Monon Rail-Trail. On nice days, the overlooks are busy with young families enjoying the water and waterfowl. This marked the completion of Phase 2 of the Canal Project of Broad Ripple.

Restored Central Canal Towpath bridges

An iron bowstring bridge (the red one) and a bedstead bridge (the blue one) both were restored, installed and opened during 2000. These historic bridges were originally built in the 1870s in Montgomery County and were slated for demolition.

A partnership of Historic Landmarks of Indiana, the Indianapolis Museum of Art, the Griffith Foundation and the Indianapolis Water Company, led by DePauw University Professor James Cooper, rescued the bridges for permanent use on the Central Canal Towpath.

The bowstring bridge connects the main campus of the Indianapolis Museum of Art with the IMA Lake, located between the Canal and White River, while the bedstead bridge gives Towpath users safe crossing at Illinois Street.

Ruggles Water Fountain

Landscaped and dedicated in 2000, this water fountain on the Monon north of Broad Ripple serves four-legged trail users and their human companions, and doubles as a historic marker.

Revard Memorial Gazebo

Completed in 2000, this is an open air shelter honoring late Monon Trail advocate Tom Revard. It is located at 65th Street and the Monon Rail-Trail.

Fall Creek Bridge

The Dr. Beurt Servaas Bridge closed for repairs during the spring and reopened in early summer 2000. The bridge is located on the north side of the IUPUI campus and is a key link on the White River Wapahani Trail.

The Boardwalk

The Boardwalk on the White River Wapahani Trail is located south of 16th Street behind the 16th Street Speedway. Storm sewer repair work close the Boardwalk for a few months but it has reopened better than ever.

Coming in 2001

Shown at left: The South Monon at 25th Street.

The South Monon: Plans are being developed for the South Monon Rail-Trail from Fall Creek to 10th Street. Construction should begin and end in 2001.

Fall Creek Trail extensions: Design planning has begun for two extensions of Fall Creek Trail: from Keystone to the Monon (expected completion, September 2001) and from 56th Street to Fort Harrison State Park (expected completion, March 2002).

Eagle Creek Trail: The first phase of construction, from 56th Street to 46th Street, should begin and end in 2001.

If you need more information on any of these construction zones, call Indy Greenways at (317) 327-7431 or send email to IndyGreenways@indygov.org

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