By Anna Skinner
Among continuing events and focusing efforts on Grand Junction Plaza, the Westfield Parks and Recreation Dept. will work on bettering the city’s trails and parks throughout 2016.
Of the trails to undergo work are the Monon and the Midland Trace Trail.
“The continued development of the Monon trail is huge, Phase 6 just got paved,” Director Melody Jones said. “There is fresh pavement up to Monon Elementary School.”
Land acquisition for Phase 7 is currently underway to continue the Monon from Monon Trail Elementary to 216th Street, which is the township line. Jones said that Hamilton Co. Parks will build a leg from 216th Street to Sheridan this year.
The Midland Trace trail will also go through more development. Going east, the trail should be paved this year from Gunther Road to Gray Road. Jones said that Noblesville will begin its first construction of the Midland this year as well.
To the west, Jones said filler in pieces of the parks department will work on filler in pieces of the Midland.
“New development is coming to the corner to connect us to Spring Mill,” Jones said. “That’s really exciting because just a few years ago we didn’t have any trails in Westfield at all. The mayor brags that we have more trails per capita than any other city in Indiana.”
Jones said that earning funds for the construction of a pedestrian bridge over Ind. 32 should begin in 2017, with the actual construction beginning in 2018.
As far as parks go, Simon Moon Park on 171st Street will have year-round, heated restrooms. Construction for the restrooms should only last another 30 or 40 days. Jones said that will be helpful for park visitors who frequent the sledding hill when snow falls.
