New trail set to open in Northern Hamilton County

Ribbon cutting on the Honorable Steven R. Nation Community Pathway set for May 9

Hamilton County, in partnership with the Indiana Department of Natural Resources’ Next Level Trails (NLT), will celebrate the opening of the new Honorable Steven R. Nation Community Pathway at 10:30 a.m. on Tuesday, May 9 at the White River Campground in Cicero.

The ribbon cutting marks the first phase of a multi-use path that will run through the northern Hamilton County communities of Atlanta, Arcadia, and Cicero eventually connecting Koteewi Park in Strawtown to Potters Bridge Park in Noblesville. The 10-foot-wide asphalt trail currently extends from Katherine Street in Cicero east to White River Campground and Koteewi Park in Strawtown.

The trail is named for Hamilton County Councilor Steve Nation, a retired Superior Court Judge and former Hamilton County Prosecutor who founded the Hamilton County Youth Assistance Program for at-risk students.

“Naming this trail after Steve just made good sense,” County Commissioner Mark Heirbrandt said. “He has dedicated his life to connecting people and bringing them together as a community, just like this trail will connect and build community between our northern towns in Hamilton County.”

Gov. Eric J. Holcomb’s Next Level Connections initiative provided Hamilton County with $1.04 million to build out the trail. The program is administered by the DNR and facilitates critical trail connections within and between Hoosier communities.

“Trails are a vital investment in our communities across the Hoosier State,” DNR Director Dan Bortner said. “The DNR is proud to partner with Hamilton County to complete this major trail extension.”