Zionsville parks board accepts 11 trail parcels to secure Midland Trace and Big 4 connections

The Zionsville Board of Parks & Recreation voted to accept a transfer of 11 parcels from Friends of Boone County Trails, giving the town legal ownership of final segments for the Big 4 Rail Trail and additional parcels for the Midland Trace Trail. Jared, the parks superintendent, told the board the parcels include two final segments of the Big 4 and nine parcels tied to Midland Trace, work that strengthens long-range plans to link trails across Boone County.

The approval followed a presentation explaining the history: the Friends group, a 501(c)(3) trail advocacy organization, bought and held rail corridors in the 2000s and later donated several parcels to support trail grants. Jared said the parcels provide a significant head start for the Midland Trace corridor and allow the town to record ownership with the county. A board member who backed the transfer said the donation is “an amazing gift to our community” that helps preserve green space amid development.

Supporters emphasized regional connections: Jared said the board hopes the Midland Trace will eventually link Carpenter Nature Preserve with downtown and tie into Big 4 segments in Lebanon, creating loops for pedestrians and cyclists. Board members asked operational and ownership questions; Jared confirmed the town already maintains trail segments that are not yet owned by the town and that full corridor completion will require future acquisitions or partnerships.

The motion to accept the parcels was made, seconded and approved by the board.