Rail-trails are abandoned railroad corridors that have been preserved and redeveloped for walking, jogging, bicycling, horseback riding, or other forms of transportation and recreation. The over one hundred-year old natural landscape is preserved along the corridor.

A fresh wave of interest in bicycle and pedestrian transportation was engendered by the federal highway bill passed in 1991. The bill requires each state to hire a bicycle and pedestrian coordinator. The federal highway bill, Intermodal Surface Transportation Efficiency Act (ISTEA), also required each state to include non-motorized elements in their transportation plans.

A link between schools, safe fitness and sports training classes, outdoor education, to name a few.

The trail will become a part of an extensive regional system, providing needed open space.

Trail users will stop at towns along the way to eat, drink, camp, rent equipment, make repairs, purchase supplies and souvenirs or spend the night.

One of the concerns of residents and adjacent landowners revolves around liability. They think that litigation risks are too great and a community cannot afford to insure itself. This topic is repeatedly addressed by managers of existing trails.

Studies and surveys from throughout the U.S. document the beneficial effects of trails and greenways on adjacent and nearby property values.

There are over 10,000 miles of existing rail-trails in the U.S. With that many miles of rail-trails many successful remedies are available for privacy question.

Crime is one of the concerns that surface when a rail-trail is proposed for an abandoned railroad corridor. Will all people who use the trail bring crime with them?

Quitclaim Deed for 16 miles of corridor in Hendricks County, IN.  Includes stipulations on use of property.

Quitclaim Deed

Final Order and Judgement of the Hamilton County Superior Court approving settlement of the class action in Clark et al vs. CSX Transportation.

Order of the Court

Research legal status of parcels adjacent to the abandoned B&O railroad, as determined by the settlement agreement in Clark et al vs. CSX Transportation.

Hendricks County

Marion County

Read the details of the settlement agreement in the case of Clark et al vs. CSX Transportation.

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The following 10 rules of construction, which Judge William J. Hughes of Hamilton Superior Court used in his decision for the Monon Trail in November, 1996, are important because they provide, for the first time, comprehensive rules that are generally applicable to a wide variety of deeds.