The B&O Trail is currently undergoing many changes with its new renovations spanning the west side of Indianapolis from Brownsburg to the Ben Davis area, though the B&O Trail isn’t the only one getting things done to it.
These renovations will add a lot of extra space for many of the people around the area who use many of these trails. Many of Ben Davis’ own teachers and staff use these trails to walk.
Rachel Brown, a history teacher at Ben Davis, lives across the street from the Eagle Creek Greenway trail, and is enjoying the new additions to the trails.
“With the expansion of the B&O, we will be able to ride past the reservoir, then into Speedway, Avon, through downtown, and even all the way to Carmel if we connect to the Cultural Trail and Monon,” Brown said.
Cross Country coach and history teacher Ryan McMaster, shared the importance of this trail and what these new additions for the trail will mean.
“From a coaching perspective (and even community one) the B&O Trail expansion and renovations is a game changer for us,” McMaster said. “It helps get our community healthier and with actual opportunities to get out and be active while also being safe. Training-wise, for cross country/track it gives us a great running opportunity right next door. Running on the B&O trail cuts down on the number of times we have to worry about cars/traffic.”
McMaster went on to talk further about the safety and security of the trail, and why his runners choose it.
“It allows us to worry less about athletes making wrong turns and getting lost,” he said. “While we have a lot of coaches, we have more athletes than coaches and this cuts down on that worry. It’s also a great opportunity for our athletes and their families, even when we aren’t meeting to practice, to get somewhere where they know the distance they are running and can do it safely.”
McMaster also plans to use it personally.
“I live about 1.5 miles north of one of the trailheads in Brownsburg,” he said. “I’ve commuted to BD from home and back during COVID and virtual classes. I don’t know if I’d do it all the time, but it makes that commute that much safer.
“Now that COVID is over, there are many more cars on the road, especially in the dark in the mornings. Once in Marion County, there aren’t many sidewalks along the busier roads like 21st St, so this would make it safer in the dark to do that commute.”
English teachers Samantha Garcia and Debbie Aquino are avid users of the trails.
“We live in the Westwood neighborhood and have been waiting for this trail to come through our neighborhood for years,” Aquino said. “We are so glad it is finally almost finished. We look forward to walking our dogs, walking, and riding our bikes on the trail. We are also excited to be able to walk or ride to Speedway and even downtown. This gives us a safe place to walk and exercise, and we are lucky to have access to it right from our neighborhood.”
The B&O Trail Association has a bike ride planned for June 14 for anyone interested in seeing the trail. Click on Trail Ride for information.
