City of Lawrence Awarded $5M for Multi-use Trail

City of Lawrence Awarded $5M for Multi-use Trail

1.83 Mile will extend Fall Creek Greenway and connect Lawrence and Indianapolis

LAWRENCE, IN – Gov. Eric J. Holcomb and Indiana Department of Natural Resources Director Dan Bortner announced that the City of Lawrence was awarded a $5 million grant from the Department of Natural Resources as part of the fourth round of the Next Level Trails program. Chief of Staff Cori Korn and Parks Director Eric Martin accepted the award on behalf of the City of Lawrence. Lawrence was one of the 14 communities who received a combined $31.2 million dollars. 

This 1.83 mile multi-use trail is a partnership with the City of Lawrence, Indy Parks, and Indy Urban Wilderness to extend the Fall Creek Greenway. This new trail will be a paved multi-use path and will include a section of boardwalk connecting 63rd Street and Lee Road to 71st Street and Fall Creek Parkway to the Upper Fall Creek Loop Trail. To the west, the existing Fall Creek Greenway runs over 14 miles from downtown Indianapolis to the Fort Harrison State Park. Along 63rd Street, the new trail will connect to a Round 3 Next Level Trails project that connects Forest Glen Elementary School and Fall Creek Valley Middle School and residential areas. 

The Central Indiana Community Foundation (CICF) has contributed $1.75 million in matching funds made possible by Lilly Endowment, Inc., towards the Fall Creek Greenway project.

“CICF is a partner of The Indianapolis Connected Communities Initiative and proud to support the completion of the Fall Creek Greenway,” stated Jennifer Bartenbach, CEO of CICF. Connected Communities convenes stakeholders and communities to support planning and investment in pedestrian and protected bicycle infrastructure to increase upward mobility, health opportunities, and access for communities of color. 

Anticipated completion of this project is scheduled for fall of 2025.

About the City of Lawrence, Indiana:  

The City of Lawrence is the 20th largest city is Indiana with a population of approximately 50,000 and is located northeast of Indianapolis, in Marion County. A former military base decommissioned in 1996, Lawrence is rich in history and offers all the conveniences of a large metropolitan market while maintaining a laid-back suburban atmosphere. Under the leadership of Mayor Steve Collier, Lawrence has seen continued growth throughout the city making it a welcoming community to live, work and play. To learn more about Lawrence, visit cityoflawrence.org.