The City of Fishers and Fishers Parks announced on Wednesday the public opening of the downtown portion of the Nickel Plate Trail, including the pedestrian tunnel beneath 116th Street, on Saturday, May 14.
Over the past three years, the city, along with many community stakeholders, have worked to plan, develop and build the 3.8-mile paved, multi-use trail, strengthening connectivity within the Fishers community. With the opening of the downtown section, users will be able to travel from 146th Street to 106th Street.
In 2019, city officials unveiled the Nickel Plate Trail Master Plan, a long-range master plan for the public space that featured ideas from residents, students, community groups, and more. Paving of the trail began in 2020.
Last summer, the city began construction on the Nickel Plate Trail pedestrian tunnel beneath 116th Street, which provides pedestrians with safe and efficient passage through the 116th Street intersection without disrupting traffic flow.
The downtown portion of the Nickel Plate Trail also features the Monumental Stairs with a built-in bike ramp that allows pedestrians and cyclists to access the trail at 116th Street and provides seating overlooking the trail-level plaza – the perfect spot for live music, special events and community gatherings. A pedestrian bridge above the tunnel exit on the north side of 116th Street connects the existing train platform to the new Nickel Plate Station plaza, which includes swings and other activities.
Coordination and planning are underway with Indianapolis for the southern portion of the trail between 96th Street and 106th Street and will be announced as funding becomes available.
Grand Opening
Fishers city officials will unveil the downtown portion of the trail with the Nickel Plate Trail Grand Opening Celebration, presented by First Internet Bank, on Saturday, May 14.
From noon to 4 p.m., residents can explore the new trail and enjoy food trucks, public art, and more at the Switch Plaza and Monumental Stairs, 2 Nickel Plate Trail, located between North and South Street in Fishers’ downtown Nickel Plate Cultural District, as well as “activations” at Fishers Parks headquarters at Hub & Spoke, 8100 E. 106th St.
In the evening from 7 to 10 p.m., eventgoers can enjoy a beverage from local breweries and stroll the trail while enjoying live music in the downtown area between North Street and South Street.
To celebrate the trail opening, several businesses in the Nickel Plate District and along the Nickel Plate Trail will offer special deals for patrons throughout the month of May. Deals will be announced in May at playfishers.com/NPTGrandOpening.
Along with the opening of the Nickel Plate Trail, residents and visitors can also use the trail to visit the Fishers Farmers’ Market at the Nickel Plate District Amphitheater from 8 a.m. to noon on Saturdays beginning in May to shop from local vendors. city will also play host to the annual Hope for Happiness event at the Farmers’ Market on Saturday, May 14 in partnership with Fishers High School and Hamilton Southeastern High Schools’ Bring Change to Mind student clubs to raise awareness about mental health and the city’s Stigma Free initiative.
Throughout the summer, residents are encouraged to use the trail to access summer events throughout the Nickel Plate District, including Fishers Parks’ Summer Concert Series, the Shop Fishers celebration, and more.
Learn more about the Nickel Plate Trail and the grand opening at playfishers.com/NPTGrandOpening.