Muncie wins $266,000 DNR grant to extend Prairie Creek multi‑use trail; city to cover $19,000 gap

Flatland Resources presented detailed plans on Oct. 21 for Phase 3 of the Prairie Creek Reservoir multi‑use trail, a 6,100‑foot, ADA‑compliant connector that would tie the existing Cardinal Greenway and earlier trail phases to the reservoir beach house.

David Heilman, a project representative from Flatland Resources, told the Muncie Parks and Recreation Board the trail would be a 9‑foot‑wide compacted stone path and that the city was awarded roughly $266,000 through the Indiana Department of Natural Resources’ Indiana Trails Program (ITP). "We kind of want to run through this alignment real quick," Heilman said as he described embankments and inlet crossings planned for the alignment.

Why it matters: the extension would improve active‑transportation connections between Muncie and Prairie Creek Reservoir and add a spur to the state Visionary Trail network. It also responds to a DNR ranking that identified Delaware County as trail‑deficient by miles per capita.

Key project facts and funding - Length and construction: about 6,100 feet, 9 feet wide, built with a compacted Number 73 stone base and 2–3 inches of dusty 12 surface (DNR‑approved materials used in earlier phases). - Cost estimate: Flatland submitted a current estimate of about $370,000 to the DNR. - Funding: $266,000 from the DNR ITP grant; $40,000 from the Ball Brothers Foundation as grant match; the city would make up the remaining gap, approximately $19,000, which Heilman said the mayor had approved in principle. Heilman also described a plan to source fill material from a nearby slope to reduce hauling costs by roughly $40,000.

Board concerns and safety questions Board members repeatedly pressed for a plan addressing two crossing locations where the trail would intersect county roads and existing bridges. Heilman said the south inlet crossing will be built as a separate embankment to avoid interaction with vehicles, but the north inlet crossing involves an existing narrow bridge. "That’s the one we're having to work with the county to figure out," Heilman said, adding conversations with the county engineer were ongoing and that a dedicated pedestrian bridge was not financially feasible within current funding.

The Muncie Sail Club told project staff it preferred the trail run closer to the road to avoid trail users being behind private property; club representatives also raised concerns about boat‑trailer crossings and vehicle speeds at club entrances. Board members requested a clearer safety feasibility analysis, possible striping, signage and, at least, a discussion about lighting at higher‑risk crossings.

Permits, timeline and maintenance Heilman said the project will require permits now standard for waterways work in Indiana: a DNR construction‑in‑floodplain permit, an IDEM 401 water‑quality permit and a U.S. Army Corps of Engineers 404 permit. Flatland tentatively plans construction for fall next year, and told the board the grant timeline could be extended if needed.

On maintenance, Flatland described a low annual upkeep profile: periodic vegetation trimming and two annual herbicide treatments at the trail edge and occasional stone replacement on a 5–10 year cycle. The Mid‑Indiana Trail Group has helped maintain earlier phases, and city parks crews have begun clearing encroaching vegetation on earlier sections.

Next steps The board did not take a final vote on design or a construction contract at this meeting; members asked Flatland to return with more detailed design options that address bridge safety and funding clarifications, and indicated they would vote at a subsequent meeting once those items were resolved.

Ending: Flatland and city staff said they would return with permit progress, a clearer safety plan for the narrow bridge crossing and confirmation of the mayor’s commitment for the estimated $19,000 city share.