The Cardinal Greenways trail that runs from Richmond, Ind., to Marion, Ind., and holds its main offices in Muncie is making changes to accommodate its users and the changes it has faced since its beginning.
Recently, the Greenway has undergone a project to plant trees in order to create protection for users and the environment, said Angie Pool, the Cardinal Greenways executive director.
"There is a nature preserve along our Greenway, probably a couple miles down, and it needed some work," Pool said. "It had a lot of invasive species, so they really wanted to clean that area up and make it safer for the people that want to veer off the Greenway and go into that nature preserve and kind of just hang out."
The project was made possible by various organizations affiliated with the Greenway and the Together Green Grant.
"This particular project was one that the Audubon Society kind of spear-headed along with Muncie, Delaware County Clean & Beautiful," she said. "They have helped beautify the Greenway in different places here in Muncie and on out in Delaware County."
The Greenway provides a trail for the entire community to use recreationally, but they have also set up different events and activities to give back to the community, including a free bike service.
"We call it our loner program," Laura Lindley, Greenway executive assistant, said. "They were given to us with a grant several years ago."
Lindley said in order to ride the bikes on the Greenway, people need to fill out a waiver and have a current driver's license or state ID.
Lindley said she feels as though many students from Ball State who are new to Muncie have a hard time finding the Greenway and they are trying to gain their attention through activities and events.
Through different events including the Great Greenway Tour, Turkey Trot and the Polar Express, Lindley said there are around 1,100 people going in and out of the depot around Christmas.
"It just brings awareness to the community, as far as not only family fun and bringing family together and friends together, but obviously just health-wise, getting people out and active," Lindley said.
Some of the Greenway's users just come to enjoy the ride at their own leisure. Biker Sally Sandefur said she uses the Greenway frequently because it offers some kind of peace of mind.
"A couple weeks ago, we went all the way down to Losantville [about 20 miles southeast of Muncie] ... that was really nice because there's nothing and you're all the way away from traffic," Sandefur said. "The Greenway itself, I like it because you don't have to mess with anything and there are very few stops depending on where you go."
Recently, Congress has been debating funding that would go to institutions similar to the Cardinal Greenways, but Pool said this wouldn't affect them since the trail is already built.
"When I talk about how important it is for people to help us maintain, that's why," Pool said. "We have gotten millions of dollars worth of the money from federal and state to build this trail, it's up to us to maintain it."
Pool said she hopes to see the community come out and enjoy the Greenway in the months to come.
"It changes every mile on what you see and it's well maintained," Pool said. "Come out and enjoy the Greenway; walk along, ride along and come see us at the depot; we'll help your day out."
-á
Read More
Tragic Plane Crash Near Anderson
By Brooke Follrad / YesterdayMadison County Police barricade a road around where a plane went down near Anderson this morning.
Vehicular accident occurs at Scramble Light
By Staff Reports / 3 days agoA crash between a Muncie Indiana Transit System (MITS) City Bus and a vehicle occurred at Ball State University’s Scramble Light Sept. 4.
