News & Press Releases
Dignitaries on Hand for Pennsy Trail Groundbreaking at Irvington Community School
Although the overcast skies looked threatening, the weather cooperated, allowing for an historic outdoor groundbreaking ceremony on Thursday, November 13, 2008, marking the start of construction of the Pennsy Trail – directly behind the Irvington Community School. On hand were a number of city and state dignitaries, including Indianapolis Mayor Greg Ballard, State Sen. Patricia Miller, State Rep. Larry Buell, and the director of Indy Parks and Recreation, Stuart Lowry. They were joined by the entire ICS student body, the Irvington Community High School's Student Council, several ICS board members, Ball State University Office of Charter Schools officials, local media, and a number of school community parents.
As reported by The Indianapolis Star, the former Pennsylvania Railroad line once ran 78 miles from Indianapolis to Richmond. The rail corridor was completed in 1853. Of note, President Abraham Lincoln's funeral train passed along this railroad corridor, as his body was returned to Springfield, Ill., for burial. The railroad tracks were removed in 1982.
Construction of the 1.2-mile stretch of the Pennsy Trail, which will run between Arlington Avenue and Shortridge Road, is expected to be finished late in summer 2009. According to Indy Parks, brush and debris clearing will start in December. Eventually, the trail will reach 6.6 miles in length and connect with the Downtown Cultural Trail. The Pennsy Trail is destined to become part of the 150-mile National Road Heritage Trail.
Would you like to view a video of the groundbreaking ceremony?
1. Irvington Community School President Tim Ehrgott makes his opening remarks during the Pennsy Trail groundbreaking ceremony.
2. Indianapolis Mayor Greg Ballard addresses the crowd from a location directly behind the ICS Outdoor Classroom, on what is to become part of the Pennsy Trail.
3. State and local officials gather with ICS and ICHS students to form the backdrop for speakers marking this landmark occasion in both the community and school's history.
4. A number of speakers from city and state government took their turns at the podium, emphasizing the importance of the new recreational trail for the Irvington community.
5. A color architectural rendering was on display, showing features in the works for the Pennsy Trail.
6. A community member views an aerial photo of the Irvington area, upon which the planned recreational trail is superimposed.
7. Local media turned out in force for the Pennsy Trail groundbreaking ceremony.
8. ICS President Tim Ehrgott "digs in" with city officials to break ground on the new recreational trail.
9. Recent ICS Lighthouse Leaders earned a "ringside seat" for the event.
