Downtown Trail Network opens in the city of Marion

The Indiana Department of Natural Resources (DNR) and the city of Marion celebrated the opening of the Downtown Trail Network today.

The 10-foot-wide, asphalt, multi-use trail was constructed by the city of Marion with help from a $640,684 grant administered by the DNR.

"The Downtown Trail Network embodies the connections and spurred economic activity that come with trail development," said Gary Schultz, trails coordinator with the Indiana DNR. "By linking downtown Marion with the Cardinal Greenway, we gain more connections to downtown businesses and more connections to healthy transportation on the greenway. DNR is proud to support this project."

The Downtown Trail Network adds 0.57 miles of trail connecting Indiana's longest trail, the Cardinal Greenway, into Marion's downtown business district and its social and cultural landmarks. The trail is one segment of a larger city project identified in its 2019 Downtown Revitalization Plan that aims to extend the Downtown Trail Network northward and connect with the Mississinewa Riverwalk. These trails will encourage economic development and connect the Marion community to its various districts and existing city amenities.

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 56 of the 89 projects are complete, with another 15 under construction. With this opening, more than 162 miles of trail have been built since the program's inception.