Suzie and Ken Wallach are avid cyclists who have been riding on the Fall Creek Greenway since its first segment opened in 1996.
Back then, the roads near their northeastside home weren’t very busy and didn’t pose much danger to cyclists. But that changed with time.
“There was less traffic then, so you could ride on roads, too,” Suzie Wallach said. “Now we feel safer riding on the trail.”
And the couple — ages 70 and 71 — said they are excited about a planned 1.83 mile extension that will hug the northeast corner of Fort Harrison State Park. The new path will connect two sections of the Fall Creek Greenway, part of a larger goal to eventually reach Fishers.
The city of Lawrence received a $5 million grant from the state’s Next Level Trails program last month to work on the trail extension.
“Initially, Indy Parks and Recreation applied for it in 2021 but did not receive it,” said Eric Martin, Lawrence’s parks and recreation director. “So they asked us to partner with them.”
The total cost of the project is expected to be nearly $7 million. Construction likely will include a 14-foot wide boardwalk and two pedestrian bridges to navigate Fall Creek. It’s slated to open by 2026.
Bike commuters are excited about the addition.
Andrew Gremos, board president of the nonprofit Bike Indianapolis, said he uses the Fall Creek Greenway for most of his 11-mile bike commute to his job in downtown Indianapolis.
Gremos, 59, also is part of a cycling and social group called the Fall Creek Flyers. He said some cyclists in the group, including his wife, have been hit by cars on surface streets downtown near the greenway.
“The city needs safe infrastructure and especially methods to slow down traffic,” he said. “It’s as important for pedestrians as it is to cyclists.”
Kathena Smith is a runner, power walker and volunteer co-ambassador of Black Girls Run! Indianapolis. The group reinforces the importance of exercise and being active to Black women.
Smith, who lives near Geist, said she is happy about the extension for the increased connectivity it will bring. In the past, she would run or walk from the border of Fort Harrison State Park to downtown.
While the 50-year-old doesn’t travel that route now, she said she still uses the greenway. “I’m typically putting in 3 to 10 miles out there,” Smith said.
Lawrence officials are collecting bids for the project through the end of the year. Construction is set to begin next year.
Mirror Indy reporter Diane Moore covers the east side of Indianapolis. Contact her at diane.moore@mirrorindy.org or 317-732-5122. Follow her on X at DianeMoore80711.
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