CAMPBELLSBURG – The Monon South Trail reached a significant milestone on Friday with the official opening of its Campbellsburg and New Pekin sections, marking the completion of Phase 1 of the ambitious project. Ribbon-cutting ceremonies in both towns were attended by town and community leaders, residents, representatives from the Indiana Department of Natural Resources (DNR), and Radius Indiana.
The newly opened Campbellsburg and Saltillo section adds approximately 3.53 miles to the trail, while the New Pekin section contributes about 5.29 miles, seamlessly connecting with the previously opened Borden segment. With Friday’s inauguration, a continuous 20 miles of the Monon South Trail are now accessible to the public.
Other sections already open for enjoyment include those in Mitchell, Orleans, and Salem. Trail construction commenced last July following a groundbreaking ceremony in Borden, bringing this long-awaited vision closer to reality.
When fully completed, the Monon South Trail is poised to become the longest continuous recreation trail in Indiana, stretching an impressive distance from Mitchell to New Albany. Its expansive path through multiple counties is anticipated to unlock a wealth of new recreation and economic development opportunities for thousands of Hoosiers. According to the DNR, an estimated 440,000 residents live within a 10-mile radius of the trail’s route, highlighting its potential widespread impact.
Radius Indiana has been instrumental in leading the comprehensive planning and development efforts for the trail. The project received a substantial boost from the Indiana DNR, which provided $29.5 million in Next Level Trails funding for the initial construction phases. Next Level Trails, a flagship initiative under Governor Eric Holcomb’s administration, has invested a total of $180 million across 89 trail projects throughout Indiana, underscoring the state’s commitment to expanding its recreational infrastructure.
