Monon Trail

Monon Trail
250px The Monon Trail utilizes the same logo and design cues throughout the entire trail.
Established	1996-present (in segments)
Length	4.4 mi (7.1 km) (Northwest Indiana) 18.1 mi (29.1 km) (Indianapolis)
Location	Lake, Hamilton, Marion counties, Indiana
Designation	U.S. Bicycle Route 35 x50px
Trailheads	Munster—Hammond Indianapolis—Westfield
Use	Shared use path
Hiking details
Season	Year-round
Surface	Asphalt Compacted stone (north of 161st St. in Westfield)
Right of way	Monon Railroad
Website	Northwest Indiana segment Indianapolis segment

The Monon Trail (known as the Monon Greenway in Carmel) is a rail trail located entirely within the state of Indiana. The Monon Railroad was a popular railroad line connecting the cities of Chicago and Indianapolis, with stops at major settlements along its route. After the decline of railroad travel and the sale of the company in 1987, the portion of the line between Indianapolis and Delphi, Indiana was abandoned.

In Northwest Indiana, the trail is only 4.4 miles (7.1 km) long, running through Lake County from Munster to Hammond. In the Indianapolis area, the trail consists of 18.1 miles (29.1 km) running through Hamilton and Marion counties, connecting Indianapolis, Carmel, and Westfield.

The first portions of the trail were created in the late 1990s, but it has been consistently extended in both of its segments since then. Today, the trail is a shared use path, complete with trailheads, park amenities, and local attractions near it.

Northwest Indiana segment

Northwest Indiana's portion of the Monon covers 4.4 miles (7.1 km), starting at the Pennsy Greenway near the Illinois–Indiana border in Munster, and running north to the Erie Lackawanna Trailhead in downtown Hammond.

In 2014, the trail was significantly extended, with a segment opening between Munster and Hammond. The segment connected a previously existing portion of the Monon Trail located entirely within Munster. The extension required the reconstruction of the old 1909 railroad bridge across the Little Calumet River, at a cost of approximately $1.5 million.

The Northern Indiana Commuter Transportation District, which operates the South Shore commuter rail service, is planning to reestablish a rail route along the old Monon right-of-way. The West Lake Corridor, as the project is called, would provide commuter rail service from southern Lake County communities to and from downtown Chicago; it is scheduled to be completed by 2023.

Portions of the Monon Trail in Lake County

Remnants of the abandoned railroad tracks and switcher near the trailhead in Munster. Remnants of the abandoned railroad tracks and switcher near the trailhead in Munster.  The Monon Trailhead in downtown Munster was built in 2012. The Monon Trailhead in downtown Munster was built in 2012.  The 1909 railroad bridge over the Little Calumet River was rebuilt in 2014 as a trail bridge. The 1909 railroad bridge over the Little Calumet River was rebuilt in 2014 as a trail bridge.  View of the Monon Trail looking south from the bridge over 165th St. in Hammond. View of the Monon Trail looking south from the bridge over 165th St. in Hammond.

Indianapolis segment

The Monon Trail in the Indianapolis area runs from just north of downtown Indianapolis, passing through Martindale's Hillside Neighborhood, King Park, Mapleton-Fall Creek, Meridian-Kessler, Broad Ripple, and Nora neighborhoods, and then proceeding into Carmel and Westfield, Indiana, a length of 18.1 miles (29.1 km). Plans to create a shared use trail on the former Monon right-of-way date back to the late 1980s. In 1999, a 10.0 miles (16.1 km) segment in Indianapolis was completed, while a 5.2 miles (8.4 km) segment in Carmel was opened between 2001 and 2002. The first phase of the trail cost approximately $5.5 million to create.

The trail was extended into Westfield starting in the fall of 2008, and since then has been extended north over the abandoned Monon right of way toward Sheridan, Indiana for a total of 2.9 miles (4.7 km) in Westfield. In Indianapolis the Monon connects with the Central Canal Towpath along the Indiana Central Canal, and the Fall Creek Trail. In Westfield, the trail provides access to the Midland Trace, Anna Kendall, and the Little Eagle Creek trails.

In the Indianapolis area, the Monon Trail is used by more than 1.3 million people annually. The trail has been cited as having a positive economic impact to neighborhoods adjacent to the trail, including Broad Ripple in Indianapolis and the mixed-use developments of downtown Carmel, which have experienced a large growth in population over the past decade.

Visitor attractions along the trail:

• Monon Depot Museum
• Carmel City Center
• Monon Community Center
• Indianapolis Art Center

Portions of the Monon Trail in Marion and Hamilton Counties

An original Monon Railroad bridge was repurposed as a trail overpass in Indianapolis. An original Monon Railroad bridge was repurposed as a trail overpass in Indianapolis.  A mixed-use development in downtown Carmel surrounds the Monon Greenway. A mixed-use development in downtown Carmel surrounds the Monon Greenway.  North of Carmel, the greenway passes under U.S. Route 31 heading towards Westfield. North of Carmel, the greenway passes under U.S. Route 31 heading towards Westfield.  An overpass was created in Carmel's section of the greenway, spanning 164th St. An overpass was created in Carmel's section of the greenway, spanning 164th St.

External links

Maps

Official websites

Video overview

• Ride the Monon Trail: A Challenge to You on YouTube