The Indiana Department of Natural Resources (DNR), B&O Trail Association (BOTA), and Speedway Trails Association (STA) celebrated the opening of B&O Trail extensions yesterday with a ribbon cutting. The event was held at the trail access point near Chapel Rock Christian Church in Indianapolis.

“Trails are about more than just miles and pavement – they make vital connections between people, communities, and the great outdoors,” said Alan Morrison, DNR director. “This new connection through the B&O Trail provides a great way to gain exercise and experience the benefits of Indiana’s growing trail system, which is why DNR has provided support for this trail’s construction all along the way.”

More than 6.1 miles of asphalt multi-use trail was constructed by BOTA and STA with help from two trail grants totaling $9,166,100, administered by the DNR. These projects filled critical gaps within the B&O Trail and extended it on both sides, creating a long, continuous trail for Hoosiers and visitors to use and enjoy.

BOTA is a nonprofit, all-volunteer organization formed in 1993 to create a recreational trail along the abandoned B&O Railroad corridor. It completed 8.2 miles of paved trail in Hendricks County and is finalizing completion of a new trailhead at County Road 500E just west of Brownsburg.

STA, established in 2007, had previously constructed 3 miles of trail on the west side of Indianapolis, running from Michigan Street to High School Road. With this addition, the B&O Trail encompasses 8 miles in Marion County.

“This marks the realization of a vision we’ve worked toward for decades – closing the gap and connecting communities along the B&O Trail,” said Jeff Smallwood, BOTA president. “This new section links Speedway with Hendricks County and brings us one step closer to a continuous trail from the White River in downtown Indianapolis to west of the Wabash River.”

Bev Katterhenry, spokesperson for the STA, added, “Completion of this 3-mile gap allows the B&O Trail in Speedway to fully connect to the Hendricks County portion. The result is nearly 17 miles of continuous trail that links the Indianapolis Cultural Trail through Speedway and into central Hendricks County.”

DNR has led the largest infusion of trails funding in state history, with $180 million in dedicated trail funding administered through DNR that facilitates critical trail connections within and between Hoosier communities. A total of 52 of the 89 projects are complete, with another 16 under construction. With this opening, more than 148 miles of trail have been built since the program’s inception.