Kitselman Trailhead Enters Second Phase of Construction
SOURCE: The Muncie-Delaware County Economic Development Alliance
The Kitselman Trailhead, Muncie’s new eastern gateway to the city, has kicked-off the second phase of construction. This entrance into Muncie will be fundamentally transformed with the addition of a pedestrian bridge, new trail connections, trailhead parking, and a sloped lawn with seating overlooking the White River. The restored Albany Bridge—the centerpiece of the Kitselman Trailhead—is designed to connect the White River Greenway and the Cardinal Greenway trails. During the 2019 construction season, the restored Albany Bridge will be reassembled, painted, and placed over the White River. Trail connections and amenities will then be constructed with a focus on the eastern side of the White River. A new bike trail will begin at Bunch Boulevard near the John Craddock Wetlands and will pass under the new State Road 32 “East Jackson Street Bridge.” The trail will then loop over the former Indiana Steel and Wire employee parking lot area connecting to the Albany Bridge to cross the White River and link directly to the Cardinal Greenway. This phase of construction is also envisioned to include parking, seating, and a grand lawn area that will slope from the trailhead parking lot toward the river. The trailhead will be built on top of the former Indiana Steel and Wire employee parking lot. The eastern trailhead area is planned for 2019 completion.
The idea for building a connection between the White River Greenway and Cardinal Greenway originated in 1995. The leader of the vision was Marjorie Zeigler, Founder of Community Enhancement Projects, Inc., and along with her husband Sherman, of the Sherman and Marjorie Zeigler Foundation. At the time of the idea’s origination, Indiana Steel and Wire and Broderick Hammer were still in full operation.
As the project moved from idea to design and construction, Cardinal Greenway and Community Enhancement Projects assembled a broad-based partnership for the Kitselman Trailhead project that includes the City of Muncie and Muncie Sanitary District, with major funding to build the first and second phases of the project provided by INDOT, Ball Brothers Foundation, the Edmund F. and Virginia B. Ball Foundation, and the Community Foundation of Muncie & Delaware County’s Kitselman Fund.