Hamilton County and Noblesville officials came together Aug. 25 to celebrate the completion of the final portion of the Riverwalk trail project.
The third phase of the project, which began in November 2016, connects the half-mile trail along the east side of White River. Construction on the Riverwalk, a joint project between the city and county, began in 2008.
“We worked very hard and together on this project to create a popular amenity in the heart of our city,” Noblesville Mayor John Ditslear said. “The Riverwalk provides pedestrians and bicyclists the opportunity to travel from downtown into Forest Park without using streets while enjoying the beauty of the White River and downtown Noblesville.”
Hamilton County Commissioner Steve Dillinger came up with the idea to provide a scenic walkway near White River in downtown Noblesville while visiting Madison, Ind., in 2000. A committee of residents was formed the following year, but the Great Recession and prioritizing infrastructure projects took precedence until 2008.
“This is a big day for Hamilton County, for Noblesville, and certainly for the restoration of what is happening to the west side of Noblesville and the river,” Dillinger said. “I couldn’t be more pleased and happy to be part of this ribbon cutting and opening of the Riverwalk, which ties everything together.”
Phase 1 of Riverwalk was a county project and consisted of creating a trail from the county employee parking lot east, underneath the Conner Street/Ind. 32 Bridge and back up to the Hamilton County Judicial Center.
Phase 2 of Riverwalk was a city project, extending the trail under the Logan Street Bridge, up to where it connects with the pedestrian bridge to Forest Park, which also connects to trails at Potter’s Bridge and Field Drive.
Phase 3 connected the two completed portions behind the Judicial Center. It also joins with the City of Noblesville’s southern portion extension, which runs from Maple Avenue to Division Street. Construction will begin later this month. Phase 3 also will be home to the Hamilton County Fallen Firefighters Memorial.
“This isn’t the end of this particular project,” Hamilton County Commissioner Mark Heirbrandt said. “We are also looking at enhancements to go along here at Logan Street that will have a lighting enhancement piece to it that I think will beautify all of Noblesville as well.”
