The Hoosier Rails to Trails Council (HRTC) sent letters to representatives of the city and county owners of the Nickel Plate Railroad, Fishers, Noblesville and Hamilton County, offering the organization’s assistance in developing the Nickel Plate Trail project into a rail-with-trail, instead of a trail-only. The letter invites the owners to schedule a meeting with HRTC to discuss the proposal in more detail.
Citing their involvement as the original advocates and initiators of the Monon Trail – which is often used as an example of a highly successful rail-trail – HRTC believes that their involvement with the project will allow the owners to “capitalize on thirty-one years of relevant, local experience to ensure long-term success of the project…” and to “create a world-class amenity above and beyond that of the Monon Trail.”
Since the announcement of the Nickel Plate Trail on Feb. 28, 2017, the local communities have been tied up in contentious debate over the future of the Nickel Plate. While local officials have suggested that the proposed trail-only is the sole feasible option for the corridor between Fishers and Noblesville, opponents of the plan have stated from early on that rails-with-trails would be a more inclusive compromise to allow the railroad corridor to remain in-tact and operational.
Until today, there has been no public discussion among trail organizations as to the possibility of a rail-with-trail development that would preserve the railroad between Fishers and Noblesville. HRTC’s letter marks the first assertion by an official trails group that rails-with-trails would be a better option for the proposed Nickel Plate Trail. By offering their assistance, HRTC is offering their expertise, network and resources to ensure that a Nickel Plate Rail-with-Trail project would be successful and would best serve the local community.
For more information, contact Richard Vonnegut of Hoosier Rails to Trails Council at vonnegut@indy.net.