(Indianapolis, Indiana – October 8, 2025) – The B&O Trail Association (BOTA), in partnership with the Speedway Trails Association (STA), held a ribbon cutting on Wednesday, October 8 at 4:00 p.m. to celebrate their closing the gap in the B&O Trail between High School Road and Raceway Road on Indianapolis’ west side. The ribbon-cutting was held at the trail access point near Chapel Rock Christian Church, 2020 N. Girls School Road, Indianapolis.
“This marks the realization of a vision we’ve worked toward for decades—closing the gap and connecting communities along the B&O Trail,” said Jeff Smallwood, BOTA president. “This new section links Speedway with Hendricks County and brings us one step closer to a continuous trail from the White River in downtown Indianapolis to west of the Wabash River.”
Bev Katterhenry, spokesperson for the Speedway Trails Association, added, “Completion of this three-mile gap allows the B&O Trail in Speedway to fully connect to the Hendricks County portion. The result is nearly 17 miles of continuous trail that links the Indianapolis Cultural Trail through Speedway and into central Hendricks County.”
Indy Gateway, a community organization dedicated to the stabilization and rejuvenation of the west side of Indianapolis, and Chapel Rock Christian Church are partnering to create a new Trailhead Plaza near the trail connection. Members of the public are welcome to park at the church to access the trail.
“This project has been about more than construction,” said Smallwood. “Our theme has been ‘Closing the Gap’ between communities, which benefits people who value safe, healthy, connected places to walk, bike, and gather.”
Funding for the project has come primarily from grants totaling $9,166,100 from Indiana’s Next Level Trails program to STA and BOTA that have funded more than 6.1 miles of asphalt multi-use trail. A second as well as support from the Central Indiana Community Foundation. BOTA has received support from more than 2,000 individual donors, along with numerous corporate partners. The B&O Trail Association also received a $350,000 grant from the City of Indianapolis to fund new safety features at key trail crossings.
“Trails are about more than just miles and pavement – they make vital connections between people, communities, and the great outdoors,” said Alan Morrison, DNR director. “This new connection through the B&O Trail provides a great way to gain exercise and experience the benefits of Indiana’s growing trail system, which is why DNR has provided support for this trail’s construction all along the way.”
“This new section of the B&O Trail is another incredible addition to our city’s world-class trails and greenway network,” said Indianapolis Mayor Joe Hogsett. “The City was proud to contribute to this effort that is opening up a whole new level of connectivity for our westside neighbors.”
Additional expansion of the B&O Trail in Hendricks County is now underway including a just completed trailhead at CR 500E west of Brownsburg and more trail miles.
About the B&O Trail Association and Speedway Trails Association
The B&O Trail Association (BOTA) is a nonprofit, all-volunteer organization formed in 1993 to create a recreational trail along the abandoned B&O Railroad corridor. It has also completed 8.2 miles of paved trail in Hendricks County and is finalizing completion of a new trailhead at CR 500E just west of Brownsburg. To learn more, visit botrail.org.
The Speedway Trails Association (STA), established in 2007, had previously constructed three miles of trail on the west side of Indianapolis, running from Michigan Street to High School Road. With this addition, the B&O Trail now encompasses 8 miles in Marion County. To learn more, visit speedwaytrails.com.
