The Indiana Department of Natural Resources (DNR) and the town of Sheridan celebrated the start of construction for phase 2 of the Monon Trail extension in northern Hamilton County.

The asphalt multi-use trail will be constructed by the town with help from a $2,089,850 Next Level Trails (NLT) grant. The award was announced in April 2022 as part of the third grant round of NLT.

“Indiana’s Next Level Trails program is all about making connections – and the Monon Trail hits the mark,” said Allen Hurst, trails manager for the DNR. “With this extension, thousands of Hoosiers across Hamilton and Marion counties will soon have an improved connection north to Boone County, and south to downtown Indianapolis.”

The new trail will extend 1.1 miles northwest from Second Street to the Hamilton/Boone County line. This connects to the existing trail project from State Road 47 to Second Street that opened in October 2024. The trail follows the historic railroad corridor through the town center of Sheridan. To the south, the existing Monon Trail extends more than 26 miles and travels through Westfield, Carmel, and Broad Ripple, ultimately ending at 10th Street in downtown Indianapolis. This project completes the trail within Hamilton County.

“Sheridan’s vibrancy and connectivity will be greatly enhanced by the Monon Trail,” said Si DeVaney, president of the Sheridan Town Council. “We are grateful to the Department of Natural Resources for its partnership.”

NLT is the largest infusion of trails funding in state history. The $180 million program is administered by the DNR and facilitates critical trail connections within and between Hoosier communities. Forty-three of the 89 NLT projects are complete, totaling more than 115 miles of trail built since the program’s inception. Several projects are under construction, with more slated to break ground this year.

More information about NLT is at on.IN.gov/NextLevelTrails.