COLUMN: Trailing or Leading: What is next for trails in Indiana?

Even with McCormick's Creek State Park (MCSP), Cataract Falls, Owen-Putnam State Forest, and Green's Bluff Nature Preserve, Owen County still has less access to trails than many other Indiana counties. MYPath Trail, the latest addition to the trail mix, is very popular, but it is still nearly two miles from reaching the MCSP gatehouse.

With the end of Governor Eric Holcomb's administration came the end of the Next Level Trails (NLT) program. Until Gov. Mike Braun announces something new, trail advocates are working hard to keep trails moving. Only one-third of the applications for the NLT program received funding (including MYPath). That means two-thirds of the communities have had to look for other ways to build trails.

Even though the NLT program is gone, the Indiana Department of Natural Resources still funds the Indiana Trails Program (ITP). MYPath has an application under consideration right now. With NLT gone, you can imagine how competitive the ITP grant is. Wish us luck.

The Indiana Greenways Foundation awarded $92,000 in grants in 2025. MYPath has received grants from the Greenways Foundation, including for our trail counters. This is a great organization, and I'm not just saying that because I served on their board for four years. They get funding from the Indiana automobile license plates you see that say, "I Support Trails." One of those would look nice on your car.

The Indiana Trails Community and the Hoosier Rails-to-Trails Council are other organizations that support our trails. Indiana Trails Community is advocating for Indiana state parks to be connected to nearby communities for recreational and economic benefits. I completely agree with them because that is exactly what MYPath has been trying to do since 2014. While NLT focused on the Department of Natural Resources (DNR), Indiana Trails Community proposes using funding from the Indiana Department of Transportation (INDOT). Trails are active transportation alternatives used by a lot of people and are worthy of INDOT support.

Bicycle Indiana is another organization that receives funding from a specialized license plate. They hosted Bicycle Indiana Day at the Statehouse on January 22. Many other bicycle organizations joined them and advocated for legislation to improve safety and access. This is not a state budget session, but there are still many issues that impact alternative transportation.

The national Rails to Trails Conservancy (RTC) has a big dream of connecting a trail from the Atlantic Ocean to the Pacific Ocean. Indiana has made significant progress on its section of this trail. While the proposed trail will not go through Owen County, the RTC advocates have been very supportive of legislation that supports us.

Understandably, a national organization can seem very far away. Even the Indiana Statehouse seems, at times, like it's on another planet, even though local lawmakers have been very supportive.

For real, measurable trail progress, we need to turn to local and regional sources. The Regional Trail Advocates is a group of trail builders from MYPath, Owen County, Ellettsville, Monroe County, and Bloomington. We meet monthly at McCormick's Creek State Park. Stay tuned for updates.

The Owen County Chamber of Commerce and Economic Development has always included MYPath in their plans and discussions. Regional Opportunity Initiatives (ROI), through promoting quality of place and workforce attraction, has been supportive of our efforts.

And, of course, the Owen County Community Foundation has been vital. They created the MYPath Trail System and they have supported the trail every step of the way. They remain the main organization that others use to support MYPath.

Without a large pot of trail money, like NLT, we have to work harder and be innovative to complete trails. Walk on a trail because it is good for your physical and mental health. Advocate for trails, because that helps others too.