Monon Trail

An integral part of the Indy Greenways system, the Monon Trail is a 27.1-mile asphalt trail that connects four parks, nine neighborhoods, and six landmarks across Marion and Hamilton counties. It stretches from one terminus of the Cultural Trail at 10^th  Street to 236^th  Street in Sheridan, Indiana. It is Indy Greenways’ most used trail and serves as a major alternative commuter route.

The Monon corridor has a long and dynamic past. Beginning in the 1880s the Monon Railroad was used for passenger transport, which by the end of the century extended from Chicago through Indianapolis, south to Louisville (known then as the C. I. & L). In 1956, the Chicago, Indianapolis & Louisville officially adopted its nickname the “Monon,” derived from the Potawatomi word “monong” meaning “swift running.” The railway was used by the State’s growing limestone industry, it served as an invaluable resource for Union soldiers during the Civil War, it carried President Lincoln’s funeral train during the 20-day journey from Washington D.C., to Springfield, Illinois, and it shuttled Indiana’s college students to Butler, DePauw, Wabash, Indiana, and Purdue Universities.

The rail line was ultimately abandoned and the tracks and ties were removed, leaving it ideal for rail-trail development. Implementation of the Monon Rail Trail Plan began in 1995 with the construction of the trail between 86^th  Street and Westfield Boulevard, a length of 2.96 miles. Major features of this section include the bridge structures painted in the original Monon red. Major linkages within this section include the commercial areas along 86^th  Street and Broad Ripple, the Indiana School for the Blind, the Indianapolis Art Center, the Jordan YMCA, the White River, and the  Central Canal Tow Path.

Construction of Phases 2 and 3 of the Monon Trail began in the spring of 1997 and included 3.55 miles of trail from Westfield Boulevard down to and including the bridge over Fall Creek Parkway. Important connections in this section include the commercial areas of Broad Ripple, the Indiana School for the Deaf, the Indiana State Fairgrounds, Boulevard Station (a restored, historic train station), and the Fall Creek Greenway. In 1997, the one-mile trail section between 86^th  Street and 96^th  Street was constructed.

Phases 4 and 5, the final phases, of the Monon Trail were constructed in 2002-2004. These sections extended the trail from Fall Creek Parkway to 10^th  Street. Major features of this section of trail include a rehabilitated railroad bridge over Fall Creek and connections to the Fall Creek Greenway, Douglass Park, J. T. V. Hill Park, and O’Bannon Soccer Complex. The completion of the Monon Trail bridge over 38^th Street near the Indiana State Fairgrounds in March 2021 eliminated a dangerous crossing.  

In 1999, the Federal Trails Program gave the Monon a Millennial Trail Designation. In 2000, it was recognized as a Millennium State Legacy Trail, and in 2002 it was designated as a National Recreation Trail.