As Geist neighbors, politicians and business leaders try to determine the future of a segment of the controversial Fall Creek Trail, new proposals have been submitted in order to identify a solution.
In question is a section of the Trail on the Department of Waterworks (DOW) property, which has become a destination spot for not only hikers, but for fishermen and partiers alike, some of whom have been participating in illegal activities. The property is technically under the jurisdiction of the Indianapolis Parks Department, however the trail also serves the neighbors of Masthead.
Some neighbors, fed up with such activity as loud parties, open fires and nudity, have requested that the trail be closed, while other neighbors and area leaders have searched for solutions that will allow the property to remain open, only with higher security and revised rules.
The first official proposal for the property recently came from Matthew Klein, Director of DOW. His suggestions, which were distributed to Geist residents in December, 2009, include the following:
- A new sidewalk extension from the current entrance of the Trail, south on Fall Creek to at least the new proposed entrance point if not all the way to 79th Street.
- DOW will pay to fence the property between the Geist Station Treatment Facility and Geist Dam (connecting the existing fencing).
- DOW will pay to extend the fencing on the west side of DOW’s property to minimize access to the Geist Station Treatment Facility and Geist Dam (and cut off the “arcing” portion of the Upper Fall Creek Trail). Effectively, this portion of the Upper Fall Creek Trail would end at the bottom of the Geist Dam.
The proposal did not include a parking lot at the new entrance; therefore only pedestrian traffic would be able to enter the Trail area. An agreement with local businesses at 79th Street would have to be obtained in order to accommodate vehicular traffic.
Following the submission of the DOW proposal, Ginny Cain, District 5 City County Councilor, led a discussion regarding the proposal at the Greenways Development Committee (GDC) Meeting on Wed., Jan. 20. Neighbors and concerned citizens met to weigh the pros and cons of the proposal, and offer solutions in order to resolve the situation.
“I have reflected on all of the issues at hand, both positive and negative, with the trail,” says Cain. “In a nutshell, I would like to keep the upper part of the trail intact, with some modifications,” she adds. Those modifications include:
- Protection of surrounding private homes with masking, which might include privacy fences, landscaping or an adjustment to the trail location.
- Updating current signage with specific park ordinances, such as No Fishing, along with trail rules, hours and trail etiquette.
- Masking off the lake access point.
- Creating a trail lookout point further away from homeowners.
Additional details will require further attention, such as security matters, ordinance violators, and trail maintenance. Funding for trail improvements is also a concern, and will be addressed as details are worked out.
Ken Pendleton, who has been a vocal trail supporter, thinks there is hope in making the trail work.
“I really believe that the proposals made at the GDC meeting will eliminate much of the trespassing problems on the Dam,” he says. “With better enforcement of park hours, and now that the police and park rangers are more aware of the situation, it’ll be easier to patrol,” he adds.
“To close the trail would be a shame,” Pendleton says. “I believe we should keep it the way it is, with minor modifications, and then see how it goes over the summer.”
Cheryl McLaughlin, part of a group of Masthead residents who have strong concerns about leaving the trail open in its current state, says that many residents are confused by the latest developments. “Even though many of us were expecting an actual decision at the meeting, we voiced our support for this proposal from Mr. Klein,” McLaughlin says.
“Ms. Cain, however, told neighbors that this was only a proposal and needed more discussion. Many of us attended the Greenway Trail meeting last month and showed strong support for Mr. Klein’s proposal, continuing to emphasize safety issues,” McLaughlin adds.
“At this point, some Masthead residents are confused and frustrated that no effective decision has been made, and no one understands who will make that decision,” says McLaughlin.
Cain has stated that keeping the trail open as is, for the time being, is her goal. “With modifications, I want to give it another summer season and see how it goes,” she says.
As the future of the trail remains in question, new developments or decisions will be available through atGeist.com.
