Final Section of Fall Creek Trail Nears Completion

New section of Fall Creek Greenway Trail, Indianapolis

About twenty years after the first asphalt was laid in the hike-and-bike trail along Indy's Fall Creek, the Indianapolis Parks Department has (almost) completed the path. In the last year, the city has re-aligned and repaved the trail from 56th Street to Binford Boulevard, and (finally) provided a way across 38th Street that did not involve the sidewalk of the roadway's bridge. As of the past few weeks, the city has also extended the trail from 25th and Meridian to the western end of Fall Creek Boulevard where it becomes Burdsall Parkway.

The new section of paved trail, which is (as of this date) still receiving landscaping treatment, begins at Meridian Street and runs along the south side of the Creek to Capitol, where it crosses on the road bridge and picks up again on the north bank. The trail passes under I-65 before meeting Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., Boulevard (MLK) with an at-grade crossing. As of December, 2020, construction along the bank abruptly terminates the trail just before the oblique turn to Burdsall. A marked bicycle lane continues into the east entrance of Riverside Park, where trail users can access the White River Trail.

From where the trail enters Fort Harrison State Park to the end of the paved trail is approximately eleven miles, with at-grade crossings at Boy Scout Road, 38th Street, College, Central, Meridian, Illinois, Capitol, and MLK. All but Boy Scout and Illinois are at signal-controlled intersections. A side trail just west of I-465 gives access to a trailhead at Skiles Test Nature Park. It crosses north-south trails on Emerson, Illinois/Capitol, and the Monon rail-to-trail; with easy access to northbound Allisonville Road. East-west access is more limited, including an east-bound trail at 56th Street and one that  follows 46th Street.

Although a vast improvement over what was – and wasn't – there before, the trail still features some quirks that suggest a lack of planning or poor design. From east to west, here are some of the potential problems to watch for:

• Boy Scout Road crossing: heavy and unpredictable traffic, narrow sidewalk on bridge, limited turning space, eastbound users who obey the stop sign start moving on a grade
• 38th Street crossing: ramp on south side of street points west instead of north
• Monon Trail access: users are forced to enter a busy trail at a T with poor sightlines to left and right; southbound Monon users cannot see side trail at all.
• College crossing: pavement resembles a Colorado jeep trail.
• Central crossing: trail approaches to bridge at both ends are far too tight for anything larger than a BMX bike.
• Meridian crossing: button for crossing signal is on rear of utility pole on left side for eastbound users. 
• Capitol crossing: light pole in center of ramp
• MLK crossing: no signal button for westbound users.

With the exception of the crossing at Boy Scout Road, which I consider quite dangerous, the repaved and lengthened Fall Creek Greenway Trail is a pleasant ride that also provides access to nearby neighborhoods and even to downtown Indy. With any luck, some of the more minor quibbles (above) will soon be addressed.

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