Trails in Indiana

Pennsy Trail – Irvington (Indy)

County: 
Marion
City: 
Indianapolis

Descriptions: 

The Pennsy - Irvington Trail, located on the east side of Indianapolis is a very popular trail for all ages and uses. Because it is a 12 foot wide asphalt line-marked trail that is flat, linear, and well-maintained, it is well-suited for all uses including wheelchairs. The path is surrounded by interesting and nice neighborhoods in historic Irvington, as well as tree-lined in many areas offering wildlife and wildflowers. There is a pedestrian bridge that crosses Shadeland Ave., providing one of the few safe crossings for hikers, bikers, etc. of I465 in Indianapolis.

 
Historically, Lincoln’s funeral train passed over this line. Due to its location in Irvington, a very popular and “up and coming” neighborhood in Indianapolis, the trail accesses Irvington Community Elementary School and Irvington Plaza Center. This neighborhood also offers a myriad of community events as well as the Benton House. The Benton House was built in 1873 and is a large, charming example of the Second Empire style of architecture. For twenty years, it was the home of Allen R. Benton, twice president of Butler University of Irvington. The home has been well-preserved and furnished as a cultural, historical, social and civic center for community use. It is also open for guided tours. (317-357-0318) At Halloween, Irvington hosts an event with all the festivities. Offerings include vintage horror movies, theatrical performances, haunted puppet shows, contests, live music, ghost stories, story-telling in the park, and much more all at no cost. The Sunday evening before Christmas, Irvington shows off luminary lights. The Benton House is open in the evening.
 
Note: there is no parking for the Pennsy-Irvington Trail at either west or east terminus. Some street parking can be found at various places. There are future plans to extend the trail to the east and west to turn a 1.26 mile trail into a 9.6 mile trail. The property to the east, at this time, is privately-owned, however can be negotiated or circumvented. This extension would connect to the Pleasant Run Trail in Indianapolis. The Pennsy-Irvington would one day be part of the National Road Heritage Trail (See our “National Road Heritage Trail”), a 150 mile cross-state multi-use trail from Terre Haute to Richmond.
INFO
Type of Trail: 
Rail trail
Mileage: 
1.26
Part NOT open: 
yes
Total Length of all segments: 
9.5 miles
Surface: 
asphalt
Uses allowed: 
all uses
Attractive Features: 
Trail accesses several neighborhoods, the Irvington Community elementary School, the Irvington Plaza Center. In addition this trail spands Shadeland Avenue providing the only pedestrian friendly crossing . Historically, Lincoln's funeral train past over this line. Because this trail connects to Irvington also connects to the miriad of community events, specifically the Hallowin store front picures which children draw, and the luminary candles which are lit on the Sunday evening before Christmas. (December 20th,2009). On that evening the historic Benton House is open from 6:30 to 8:00.
West Endpoint (#2) – Specific: 
Arlington Ave. Irvington (Indy)
East endpoint (#1) – Specific: 
S. Shortridge Rd. - Irvington
Direction to #2 from #1: 
West
Connection to bus, rail: 
2 blocks South of Washington - Bus stop.
Near to US highways: 
Washington Street
Agency, Group Owned: 
Indy Parks&Greenways,Cumberland
Manager: 
Karina Straub
Address: 
900 E.64th Street - Indianapolis, town of Cumberland, IN 46220
Telephone: 
327-7431
E-mail: 
kstraub@indygov.org
Website: 

www.indyparks.org

Disappointed walker

Submitted by Anonymous on Mon, 09/05/2011 - 5:25pm.

My wife and I enjoyed the part that was finished, but were very disappointed that more of the trail was not done. We parked or cars one at Washington Square and one in Irvington. We ended up walking on several roadsides. A word of caution, research your destination if you are not sure of the route.