On July 16, 2024, Borden Community Park hosted the groundbreaking ceremony for Phase 1 of the Monon South Trail, celebrated by Monon South Trail and Radius Indiana. Community leaders, trail organizers, and state and local representatives shared remarks and ceremonially broke ground, marking the start of construction for the 58-mile trail designed to benefit pedestrians and cyclists, while promoting economic development in Southern Indiana communities.
Project Manager, Ryan Hughes adds, “One of the things I love most about this project is the opportunity to showcase the beauty of Southern Indiana. Every time we visit the trail corridor, I take more photos of the landscape. As we begin construction, more and more folks are turning their attention to the Monon South Trail project in anticipation of being able to walk, bike, and roll through the communities and countryside which the trail will connect.”
Upon completion, the trail will showcase stunning views of Indiana farmland and provide connections to various regional natural destinations, including nearby state parks and recreational facilities. The trail’s amenities will highlight local community destinations and linkages to other regional attractions. Clark Dietz played a key role in the Visioning Study for the Monon South Trail, helping to shape the future direction of the corridor, enhance the region’s quality of life, and elevate community discussions regarding the corridor’s multi-modal use.
“Through the transformation of an abandoned rail line into the Monon South Trail, we’ll not only establish a scenic pathway but also a corridor for economic vitality, uniting communities, preserving natural beauty, and promoting active lifestyles,” says Clark Dietz Project Development Advisor, Bri Roll. “The Monon South Trail showcases the transformative power of repurposing abandoned infrastructure into a reinvigorated economic corridor. Using a regional approach, the trail will connect eight communities along a scenic pathway, providing redevelopment opportunities and enhancing the quality of life and place.”
As the project enters the construction phase, Clark Dietz is proud to oversee the development of Indiana’s longest continuous trail. We are excited to support this transformative project that enhances recreational opportunities, boosts property values, and provides significant physical and mental health benefits to trail users and their communities.
Clark Dietz Project Manager: Ryan Hughes, PE
Want to learn more?
Read about the Monon South Trail – New Project: Monon South Trail Design & Construction Oversight
Article in Southern Indiana Business Report – ‘Just the beginning:’ Leaders celebrate groundbreaking of Monon South Trail in Borden
Article in WAVE Media – Work underway on Indiana’s longest hiking and biking trail
