Muncie greenways group honored as state's best

MUNCIE, Ind. (AP) - Lifelong Muncie resident Cornelius Dollison is pretty sure his heart is thankful for the White River and Cardinal Greenways.

In recent years, he and his wife Mary have used the trail system not far from their home in Whiteley for a new fitness routine. But they've gotten so much more out of it — time to talk, enjoy the nature reserve, learn about their city — and they believe other residents can benefit, too.

"(The trails) are one of our best kept secrets. They are a real asset to our community so we keep telling people about them, encouraging them to use it and enjoy it," he told The Star Press (http://tspne.ws/YfjHjo ). "I'm a little biased because I think the section by our home is the most beautiful part of the trails. People need to get on these trails and check them out. We're lucky to have them right here in East Central Indiana."

The Greenways Foundation, a statewide organization encouraging the use of the state's trails, agrees with Dollison. This week they named the Cardinal Greenways — a designation including the White River and Cardinal trails —the most outstanding trail group in the state, an award that recognizes the nonprofit that operates the trails and the 62-mile system that covers much of ECI.

In 2012, nearly 250,000 users from 26 different states and two countries used the trail, either choosing to walk, run or bike their way from one location to another.

The foundation members were impressed by not just the numbers, but the commitment of community residents to create programs specifically for the trail's use.

Walk Indiana, The Great Greenway Tour, the annual 5K run/walk, the Turkey Trot and even the annual Polar Express event for children highlight residents' increased interest in the trail in Muncie. Programs such as these are also growing in other communities along the trail including Marion and Richmond.

"This speaks volumes about the community and the commitment of the residents," said Rory Robinson, an outdoor recreation planner for the rivers, trail and conservations systems for the National Park Services. Robinson nominated the Cardinal Greenways for this award.

"In my experience, I get to work with a lot of trails that have a city operating and maintaining a trail system. The fact that local residents came together to create a nonprofit that would build the trail, market it, operate and more is amazing."

Cardinal Greenways is celebrating its 20th anniversary this year. The staff and volunteers have become more than operators of the trail. It is, as many said, "their baby."

Wherever they went, people such as Jerall Ross talked up the trails, advising others to use the Greenways for social outlets as well as exercise spots.

Ross, who continues to serve as a volunteer with the maintenance team, personally enjoys riding the trails on his bike, welcoming a riding partner to chat with along his routes.

"The Greenway can be so many things to so many people. It's not something you can just put in a box," he said. "I use it for different reasons all the time, including for transportation. Whenever I need to travel in a north to south direction, I use it and I enjoy. It's such a treasure in our community."

In the past, the Greenway Foundation had focused much of its work in the Indianapolis area, advocating for the Monan and other trails in the vicinity.

But with the state's longest paved trail system running from Richmond to Marion, and managers, donors and volunteers continually building on their vision of a system for bikers, runners and walkers to enjoy, the Foundation couldn't ignore the local Greenways.

This honor isn't only about the trail, however. It's about Muncie.

"Our trails are becoming a destination point for people, especially to bike riders and trail users," said Angie Pool, executive director of Cardinal Greenways. "We're proud of trails and the work we've put into them."