INDIANAPOLIS — The Indiana Department of Natural Resources (DNR) will award $29.5 million to acquire and begin the development of the 62.3-mile Monon South Trail. Once constructed, the trail, spanning five counties in Southern Indiana, will be the longest contiguous recreational trail in Indiana. Gov. Holcomb discussed the plan in his State of the State address last week.
The Monon South Trail will follow the route of the historic Monon Railroad beginning in New Albany and running through portions of Floyd, Clark, Washington, Orange, and Lawrence counties. Approximately 440,000 people live within 10 miles of the trail’s path.
To jumpstart it, DNR will grant partners another $24 million in Next Level Trails funding to begin the design, engineering, and construction of the trail.
As part of the governor’s Next Level Connections initiative, Next Level Trails is the largest infusion of funding for trails in state history. The $150 million program is administered by DNR and enables trail connections within and between Hoosier communities.
The Monon South Trail. Courtesy – DNR
