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Topic: 8th St. Greenway Project 

Madison County is planning a new trail along the White River between Anderson and Strawtown.  But dozens of citizens that came to a public hearing on the project came to express how much they don't want the trail on their properties. 

PHOTO: Map of the proposed 8th St. Greenway Project
Perkinsville Cemetery to Layton Rd, Anderson, Indiana 
VIDEO: 06/05/2025 Madison County Parks & Recreation Board monthly meeting. The property owners showed up to speak against the 8th St. to Perkinsville Greenway Project. A majority of the property owners are against the project for many reasons. What people can't see is the Likens Family who have been in political power for many generations own 14 properties along the stretch of land that the Madison County Parks Board wants for the NEW County Recreation area along White River. 

The problem is the Likens also sat on the County Commissioner's Board that had access to the knowledge of ARPA Funds before the rest of us. A Likens also sat on the Planning Commission and is a current County Council Member for this district. The Likens would make money off of the project because they own lands in the area. It's quite possible they would have pecuniary interest in how the ARPA Funds were spent. YET, several of the people involved in the planning and logistics of the 8th St. Mounds Greenway Project don't have Conflict of Interest forms filed with the State of Indiana. hmmmmm 


VIDEO: 06/11/2025 Public Town Hall Meeting about the 8th St. Greenway Project Perkinsville to Layton Rd. Anderson, IN. 

Homeowners met to exchange information about the project that would affect some of them more than others. They wanted to hear what each other had to say. Some came to learn while others came to share their stories or experiences with this project up June 2025.

None of the Homeowners at this meeting want the Greenway!
VIDEO: 07/10/2025 Madison County Parks & Recreation Board monthly meeting and once again they didn't listen to the property owners as if they really don't care what any of the people who actually own the land have to say. 

🌿 Origins & Vision

  • The White River Greenway itself spans nearly 5+ miles through out misc. counties, linking multiple green spaces—from West 8th Street to River Bluff Park—and connecting to local parks, wetlands, nature preserves, and Mounds State Park. 

      www.traillink.com/trail/white-river-greenway/?utm_source=chatgpt.com 

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  • The concept aligns with the broader Rails‑to‑Trails movement, which has transformed abandoned rail corridors nationwide since the 1980s into multi‑use recreational paths Rails to Trails Conservancy.

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8th Street Segment & Local Context

  • The greenway’s western end begins at West 8th Street near Raible Ave, adjacent to the historic West 8th Street district—an area rich with homes from Anderson’s late‑1800s gas‑boom era discoverindianahistory.org+1TrailLink+1.

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  • This section was developed to provide better public access to the White River and connect the history of Anderson’s old 8th St neighborhood to outdoor recreation opportunities.

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Community Input & Challenges

  • In June 2025, Madison County held hearings about extending a trail along the White River from Anderson toward Strawtown. Many residents expressed concern about trail proximity to private backyards and the potential for eminent domain indianapublicradio.org. County officials clarified that while eminent domain remains an option, it currently isn’t a priority for the project .

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  • Earlier, the Mounds Greenway proposal—another regional trail concept—faced hurdles in Anderson due to questions around funding and municipal support, illustrating local scrutiny for large‑scale trail work WFYI Public Media.

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Why 8th Street Matters

  • It’s more than just a trail segment—it’s a gateway for Anderson, offering an inviting path from historic neighborhoods into nature.

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  • Connects residents to amenities like Elmo Park, near 8th St, and integrates into Anderson’s efforts to beautify downtown and make it more walkable City of Anderson.

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  • Fulfills community calls for green connectivity and supports broader strategies to link recreational areas city‑wide.

Current Status & Next Steps

  • The greenway is partially constructed, with asphalt, boardwalks, and dirt sections already in use TrailLink+1TrailLink+1.

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  • Future phases may include:

    • Extending the path further east toward Strawtown and along the White River beyond Anderson.

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    • Resolving concerns about land acquisition, privacy, and trail safety raised by nearby homeowners indianapublicradio.org.

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    • Obtaining local and state funding, possibly through grants and Trail Conservancy partnerships.

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✅ Bottom Line

The 8th Street Greenway is a locally grown part of the regional vision to weave parks, history, and neighborhoods together through a scenic riverfront trail. While it carries the typical support and opposition found in many greenway projects—especially around land use and costs—it’s an important step in establishing a cohesive recreational network along the White River in Anderson. We are PRO Greenway if it's built properly and not used to line the pockets of local politicians and their friends or family members a.k.a. Friends with benefit packages or some part of pay to play scam in Madison County, Indiana. 

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