Evansville Trails Coalition Launches First Master Plan
The Evansville Trails Coalition has announced the completion of the first-ever Evansville Region Trails Master Plan.
The plan was guided by public input and shaped through collaboration with regional leaders, trail advocates, and community stakeholders. It outlines a regional network of existing and proposed walking, biking, and wheeling routes designed to safely connect neighborhoods, parks, schools, businesses, and nearby communities. Building on that vision, the plan provides a clear path forward—highlighting high-priority corridors, funding strategies, and long-term goals to guide the development of a more accessible and connected trail system.
“This plan is more than a list of projects—it’s a community-driven regional blueprint designed to support healthier lifestyles, stronger neighborhood connections, and a better quality of life for everyone,” said Lorie Van Hook, Executive Director of the Evansville Trails Coalition. “More than 100 community members helped shape this vision—and their voices are reflected throughout its pages. Whether you walk, bike, wheel, or run, this is your plan for a more connected, accessible place to live.”
The Trails Master Plan outlines a starting point for achieving the following community benefits:
• Safer routes that keep people walking, biking, or wheeling separate from vehicle traffic
• Stronger connections between neighborhoods, schools, parks, and businesses
• Boosts to local tourism and small business visibility along trail corridors
• Expanded access to green space and recreation for underserved areas
• A healthier, more active community with more options for how we get around
The plan features several proposed projects that stand out for their potential to improve regional trail access and connectivity. Highlights include:
• Angel Mounds to Newburgh Trail: A scenic eastward extension that would link cultural, recreational, and historic destinations.
• Lincoln Avenue Corridor Improvements: Enhancing trail access to parks and schools in a key urban corridor.
• Boonville Greenway via Norfolk Southern Line: A potential rail-trail conversion linking Evansville and Boonville while aligning with the American Discovery Trail.
• Downtown John Street Crossing: A constructible urban trail connector improving access and safety at the Lloyd Expressway.
• Future USI Trail Connection: A proposed westward extension that would link the University of Southern Indiana to the broader regional trail network.
The plan builds on the momentum of existing and in-progress efforts—such as the Roberts/Wesselman Loop Trail, supported through the Indiana Next Level Trails program, and the Walnut Street Improvement Project, a 3.1-mile corridor redesign that includes a new multi-use path connecting Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard to Vann Avenue.
The Evansville Department of Parks and Recreation co-led development of the Trails Master Plan, serving as a liaison to other City of Evansville departments and elected officials while supporting community outreach and contributing technical data and mapping resources.
“The release of this plan couldn’t come at a better time,” said Steve Schaefer, Board President of the Evansville Trails Coalition. “Interest in trails and outdoor spaces has never been higher, and now we have a clear roadmap to guide what comes next. With strong community support, we can start pursuing funding, building momentum, and moving forward on the trail connections that matter most to our region. We hope community members will join us on June 6 to celebrate this important step and learn more about where we’re headed.”
The Trails Master Plan was developed in partnership with the engineering firm Butler, Fairman & Seufert, whose expertise helped translate public input into a clear, actionable framework. With a focus on equity and sustainability, the plan offers a framework to guide future trail development and move projects from concept to construction.