B&O Trail Ribbon-Cutting Connects Hendricks County to Indianapolis After 30 Years

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Hendricks County, IN — October 8, 2025 — After nearly three decades of planning, fundraising, and community effort, the B&O Trail officially connects Hendricks County to Indianapolis. Today, local leaders, community members, and trail advocates gathered for a ribbon-cutting ceremony to celebrate this milestone in regional connectivity and outdoor recreation.

The ceremony featured Indianapolis Mayor Joe Hogsett, along with representatives from the Speedway Trails Association, the B&O Trail Association, and Hendricks County officials. Together, they marked the opening of the new section of the trail stretching from Raceway Road to High School Road in Wayne Township, closing the final gap in this historic project.

A Vision Decades in the Making

The B&O Trail follows a former Baltimore & Ohio Railroad corridor, with the vision of creating a continuous, multi-use trail connecting communities across west-central Indiana. The trail spans nearly 15 miles from the Danville area in Hendricks County eastward into Indianapolis.

“This is more than just a trail,” said Mayor Hogsett during the ceremony. “It’s a connection between neighborhoods, communities, and opportunities. Residents from Hendricks County can now travel safely all the way to west Indianapolis, Speedway, and even downtown using a continuous trail system.”

Partnerships Made It Possible

The completion of the trail was made possible through decades of collaboration between public and private organizations:

  • Speedway Trails Association — instrumental in developing the Marion County stretch and linking the trail through Speedway.

  • B&O Trail Association (BOTA) — non-profit advocacy, planning, and community outreach.

  • Hendricks County Commissioners — funding and technical support.

  • Indiana Department of Natural Resources (DNR) — funding through Next Level Trails grants and property acquisition support.

  • Local philanthropists and foundations — including the Central Indiana Community Foundation, which helped provide critical grant funding for trail expansion.

Over 160 property acquisitions in Marion County were required to complete the corridor, highlighting the complexity and scale of the project.

Trail Amenities and Impact

The new section features a trailhead plaza behind Chapel Rock Christian Church, complete with benches, parking, and a bike repair station. Advocates emphasize that the trail is not only a recreational asset but also a tool for economic development, community engagement, and healthy living.

Residents and visitors can now enjoy seamless travel from Hendricks County through west Indianapolis, with connections to Speedway and downtown Indy. The project demonstrates the power of long-term vision, collaboration, and persistence in creating community infrastructure that benefits multiple generations.




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