April 2007

Hendricks County Parks & Efroymson Fund Boost Vandalia Trail - April 2007

At the April 19th Vandalia Trail planning meeting, organizers of this 3-mile rustic trail welcomed a major new partner and announced receipt of a significant new grant, both promising to greatly enhance the experience for current and future trail users in southwest Hendricks County.

Beginning this week, Hendricks County Parks & Recreation is joining as a partner on the Vandalia Trail project, providing all of the basic trail maintenance throughout 2007. This includes weekly mowing and clearing of more than 3 miles of rustic trail. Hikers and bicyclists will immediately see the direct benefit from this extra attention to the trail on the former railroad bed and to the sections of parallel footpath through the forest. Other benefits will be seen throughout the year as trail volunteers are able to focus more of their energies and resources on trail upgrades and less on regular maintenance.

At the same time, The Efroymson Fund, a Central Indiana Community Foundation Fund, donated $10,000 for trail upgrades and maintenance in 2007. This generous contribution assures that several important upgrades can be undertaken this year, such as trail widening around the treatment plant, construction of an equestrian crossing of Crittenden Creek, design and installation of professional signage, and trail entrance improvements. The rustic trail approach and the strong involvement of volunteers allows this grant to have much more impact than normal.

Added to the other grants received for 2007 from the Central Indiana Bicycling Association Foundation, Coca-Cola North America, Indiana Trail Riders Association, Indiana Horse Council, and Rieth-Riley Construction Company and with administrative support from the Hendricks County Trail Development Association, the Vandalia Trail budget for 2007 has grown to be more than twice that of the previous two years combined.

See related newspaper articles:

Vandalia Trail group announces grants, partnership - Hendricks County Flyer - April 20, 2007

Improvements ahead for trail - The Indianapolis Star - April 21, 2007
Please see comments posted in the IndyStar TalkBack for a correction and clarification.