Westfield council debates expanded golf-cart access to streets and trails; first reading draws public concern

Westfield 'The Westfield Common Council on May 12 heard the first reading of ordinance 25-30, a proposed update to the city's golf-cart regulations that would expand where residents may operate golf carts, add new equipment and registration requirements, and tighten enforcement tools.

The measure, introduced by Councilor John Dart, would raise initial registration fees, require rearview mirrors and seat belts, set minimum operator age and identification rules, and define permitted hours and speed limits for cart operation on named trails, perimeter paths and streets with posted limits of 25 mph or less.

The proposal matters because it would change how residents use much of Westfield's trail network and public paths. Proponents say the revisions would provide an additional, low-emission travel option and help connect neighborhoods to downtown, while opponents, including multiple residents during the public-comment portion of the meeting, said allowing carts on multiuse trails would endanger pedestrians, children and people with mobility challenges.

Councilor John Dart presented the ordinance as the product of months of listening sessions across the city and described several core elements: a new initial two-year registration fee of $100 (down to $50 for subsequent renewals), mandatory liability insurance, required safety equipment (including headlights, turn signals and rearview mirrors), a minimum operator age of 16 years and 6 months with a valid ID, and the authority for police to impound vehicles for violations. Dart said registration fees would be deposited into the Westfield Police Department fund for trail improvements, equipment and signage.

Dart said the proposed map would preserve motorized restrictions on some segments: under the draft, named trails such as the Monon Trail, Midland Trace Trail and Ace of Bales would be subject to a 15 mph maximum when carts are permitted there, and carts would not be allowed to cross the SR 32 bridge to the heavier-use Monon corridor south of 32. He told the council the ordinance attempts to balance safety and access by restricting speeds on linear, high‑use trails and enabling connections between neighborhoods and downtown via perimeter paths and lower-speed streets.

Residents who spoke during public comment were largely opposed to allowing carts on the walking and multiuse trails. Sharon Rice said she is hearing impaired and ‘‘adamantly [is] against having golf carts on the walking trails in the parks. I think it's dangerous. I don't think it's necessary.''' Melody Jones, who described experience securing federal transportation enhancement grants for trail construction, warned that some trail projects were funded under grants that are intended for non-motorized uses and urged staff and council to confirm any federal restrictions before expanding motorized access. Jordan Ballinger, representing Bicycle Indiana, said his organization opposes allowing carts on pedestrian trails because they were not designed for motorized vehicles.

Other residents said they supported expanded cart use. Doug Plummer said his family moved to Westfield because the town allows golf carts; Mike Lamb and others said carts are typically driven respectfully and could reduce vehicle trips to busy downtown destinations.

Council discussion recognized the issue's contentious nature. Several councilors said they supported expanding options and praised the public engagement that produced the draft, while emphasizing they were not yet committed to the exact hours, fees or trail lists in the draft. Councilor Kurt Wanninger, Councilor Joe Depner and Councilor Victor McCarty said they were inclined to support expansion with careful guardrails; Councilor John Dart said the council will refine the proposal before a future vote.

City staff also previewed connected changes to the parks code. Chris McConnell, director of parks and recreation, introduced ordinance 25-33, a parks-rule update that would align park hours and yield rules with any adopted golf-cart changes and add golf carts to the parks' yield provisions. McConnell and council members said they would synchronize any final hours and enforcement language between the two ordinances before a final vote.

No final vote was held. The ordinance was presented for first reading and will return for further consideration, with council members asking staff to refine hours of operation, enforcement plans and how decals and registration will be implemented.

What's next: The council indicated it will take the public input and additional staff work into account before bringing ordinance 25-30 back for a subsequent reading and vote.