Building a More Connected Central Indiana
Connected Communities is transforming how people move, connect, and thrive through a bold investment in trails, greenways, and mobility.
Supported by CICF, Connected Communities is a multi-year initiative to improve how people access and move through their neighborhoods by investing in trails, greenways, and safer connections. By linking homes to parks, schools, jobs, transit, and each other, Connected Communities enhances everyday life—making it easier to walk, bike, and connect to opportunity. This increased connectivity supports healthier lifestyles, reduces transportation barriers, encourages economic development, and helps residents feel more connected to their communities.
Our Progress
B&O Trail
The Near West section of the B&O Trail has been successfully conveyed to the City of Indianapolis, and a new Pacers Bike Share station was installed at the Michigan Street trailhead, giving Near West residents better access to the trail. The final phase of the trail—a 3.25-mile stretch on the Far West side—began construction in October 2024 and is on track for completion by Q3 2025. Once finished, this section will be added to the Indy Greenways system. In total, more than $15 million has been invested in the B&O Trail corridor through Marion and Hendricks counties.
Nickel Plate Trail
Construction is underway on over 10 miles of trail in Indianapolis, with substantial completion expected in Spring 2025. This transformational trail will connect Indianapolis, Fishers, and Noblesville into a 41-mile loop via the Monon and Midland Trace Trails. With more than 100,000 residents living within a mile and 30,000 jobs located within a half-mile, the Nickel Plate Trail is a vital connection point for Central Indiana.
Grassy Creek Trail
With land acquisition complete, construction is set to begin in Summer 2025 on an extension of the Grassy Creek Greenway. The new segment will stretch from Mitthoeffer Road to Carroll Road and connect directly to the Grassy Creek Environmental Education Center.
Fall Creek Greenway
This 1.83-mile project between 63rd Street and the Upper Fall Creek Loop Trail is in the engineering and design phase. Supported by a $1.75 million investment from Connected Communities, the full project cost is just over $7 million and will feature a paved path and boardwalk segment.
Eagle Creek Greenway
Several segments of this greenway have been awarded federal funding through MPO TAP, and design and construction are underway. A $1.75 million match from Connected Communities will be transferred to the City when the project is bid.
Martindale-Brightwood
New sidewalks, resurfaced roads, and pedestrian safety upgrades are being added to 22nd Street, Ralston Avenue, and 23rd Street. These improvements will offer safe and accessible routes for students and residents traveling to KIPP High School, Edna Martin Christian Center, and Douglass Park Community Center.
16th Street Traffic Study and Connector
A traffic and safety study is in progress along 16th Street, with plans for a new connector trail between College Avenue and the Monon Trail to Pogue’s Run Greenway. The project is expected to go to bid in Fall 2025.
30th Street Corridor
A $22 million investment will transform 29th and 30th Streets into a two-way, multimodal corridor linking Riverside Adventure Park to Douglass Park. Improvements will prioritize pedestrian, cyclist, and transit connectivity.
38th Street Safety Improvements
Corridor and safety studies along 38th Street have led to a list of recommended improvements focused on traffic calming and pedestrian safety. These are scheduled for a Spring 2025 bid.
Broad Ripple Avenue Riverwalk Extension
Planning and design are underway to extend the Broad Ripple Riverwalk from the park to the 62nd Street Multi-Use Path. A preliminary report is due in late 2024 and will help determine next steps for funding and construction.
The Circle City Forward Projects are large-scale, public infrastructure investments led by the City of Indianapolis and supported by the Connected Communities initiative. These projects focus on enhancing the city’s greenway system and improving pedestrian and trail connectivity through major capital improvements. By aligning city-led projects with community-driven trail initiatives, Circle City Forward helps extend the impact of Connected Communities and ensure long-term infrastructure upgrades benefit the entire region.
Pogue’s Run Greenway
Following the completion of Phase 2, work continues on Phase 3 with design and land acquisition underway. Once complete, the trail will stretch to 21st Street and link with the Art and Nature Park.
Pleasant Run Greenway
The final segment of this historic greenway will connect Garfield Park to Bluff Road and is expected to be bid in Spring 2025. The $6 million project will complete a key section of the Indy Greenways network.
Interurban Trail
A long-term, multi-phase effort, the Interurban Trail will span 9.5 miles and link downtown Indianapolis to the city’s south side. The first phase has been bid for construction in 2026, with additional segments to follow.
In addition to infrastructure, Connected Communities supports the people and programs that bring these trails to life. The initiative has partnered with local organizations to deliver on-the-ground impact, especially through youth engagement, trail stewardship, environmental education, and accessibility.
Groundwork Indy
Over the past three years, the Connected Communities grant has allowed Groundwork Indy (GWI) to meaningfully engage youth in trail building, invasive species removal, and installation of green infrastructure. GWI’s Ground Corp (GC) and Green Team (GT) have maintained the B&O Trail corridor, installed native plant gardens, and used the trail as a means of transportation and recreation. They have also led “ride and learn” programs, held guided rides, and provided feedback on trail branding and design through focus groups. In partnership with Bike Indy, GWI helped create Indianapolis’s first bike library.
Freewheelin’ Community Bikes
Freewheelin’ collaborated with IPS School 88 for their Walk, Bike, Roll to School Day event. They also launched a youth bicycle education program for ages 18–25 and participated in Bicycle Indiana Statehouse Day. Freewheelin’ has leveraged its work with Connected Communities to apply for the Indiana Safe Routes to School Grant to expand bike safety programs.
Bike Indianapolis
Bike Indianapolis has partnered with Groundwork Indy on bicycle-based programming, including guided rides, bike library operations, and trail beautification efforts. This partnership also supported community bike access through the refurbishment and distribution of donated bikes.
The Parks Alliance
The Parks Alliance, previously the Greenways Partnership, continues to support trail and greenway activation efforts. Connected Communities is working with the Alliance to launch the Indianapolis Greenways Stewardship Endowment Fund grant program by Spring 2026. The Alliance also supports the branding, merchandising, and trademark registration of new trail logos within the Greater Indy Trailways network.
Indiana Pacers Bikeshare
Connected Communities funded the installation of new Indiana Pacers Bikeshare stations, such as the one at the Michigan Street trailhead on the B&O Trail. These additions expand equitable access to transportation options and enhance connectivity throughout the trail system.
What’s Next
The coming months promise to bring major milestones in the Connected Communities initiative. A ribbon-cutting ceremony at the new Grassy Creek Environmental Education Center will mark the park’s official opening and its connection to the extended greenway.
Two key trail projects—Fall Creek Greenway and the Broad Ripple Avenue Riverwalk extension—are preparing for the next phase, moving from design to the bidding process, and bringing these long-awaited routes closer to reality.
Work also continues on the Greenways Implementation Plan and the new Greater Indy Trailways brand. Both efforts will be finalized by summer 2025, setting the stage for a shared regional vision. A soft launch of the Greater Indy Trailways website is expected in late 2025, featuring an interactive map to help the public navigate and explore the trail system.
In spring 2026, the Indianapolis Greenways Stewardship Endowment Fund will begin distributing grants to support long-term trail maintenance and care across the network.