Can Smaller Indiana be as BIG as the "Cultural Trail"?

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Permalink Reply by Ken Zweigel on January 11, 2008 at 12:31am

This looks like a great place to go with the family, as does the new library. Thanks for pointing it out.

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Permalink Reply by Thomas Ho on January 11, 2008 at 1:33am

Soon, you'll be able to "engage" the Indianapolis Cultural Trail on the Net as well. Watch for its new Facebook page...and MORE!

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Permalink Reply by Jennifer Coffey on January 11, 2008 at 10:20am

I love the concept and I hope that many people do use it (both the trail and Smaller Indiana). The only people I see using it (the trail) are the ones that live downtown or that still drive downtown, park, and then walk or ride the trail or tourists may use it. For instance, take me- I do not live downtown. I work downtown but on the upper north eastside of downtown. Actually I work off of the Monon trail! Unfortunately because of the neighborhood, my small stature and slow bike riding that I do, I am easily targeted. Excuse or not I still have never used the Monon trail even though I work right next to it! I guess my point is, I would like to see more of downtown look and feel like the Cultural Trail. If it was a longer stretch than it is I believe I would use it on a weekend - bring my dogs, eat downtown, walk around, look at the cultural Indianapolis side of things. But, I have seen and been on Mass Ave many times, I know there is the Murat and I know that there is an O'Malia's (refuse to call it Marsh yet).
So, is Smaller Indiana like the Cultural Trail in my mind - no. I believe Smaller Indiana has more potential. It is open to many different groups and targets people of many different backgrounds. Cultural Trail is a small piece of what they can do. I do believe that Smaller Indiana is what can connect the entire state and/or region! I look forward to seeing it grow - as I do look forward to seeing more Cultural Trail types pop up around the city and downtown - maybe a long the Monon instead - since we already have the miles of trail available to use!

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Permalink Reply by Lorraine Ball on January 11, 2008 at 7:03pm

ICheck out the long term vision for the trail. It will ultaimately connect all 5 arts districts and broad ripple. It wil feature walking, biking and bus routes so you can start and stop, and then ride back to your origination point.. When completed.. it is going to be an extension, and complment to the monon. As a city we wil have more miles of greenway then almost any city in the US. By itself, not enough, but as part of all the other cool things going on in the city, it will make a huge impact..

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Permalink Reply by Vince Wong on January 11, 2008 at 12:34pm

Interesting question. I think it's pretty hard to compare the Cultural Trail and Smaller Indiana, one that is so "bricks and mortar" and the other being so virtual in nature. It's akin to Borders v. Amazon. There is some overlap, but I enjoy and utilize both resources/venues for different benefits. It's unlikely that an interaction on the Cultural Trail with strangers will be as rich as that enjoyed on Smaller Indiana. Conversely, it's unlikely that I'm going to interact with a close friend as much on Smaller Indiana as I would if we were to be on a stroll on the Trail. Both are great community assets and can, and I expect will, play important roles in making Indianapolis a more enjoyable place to call "home".

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