USI, Burdette Park to "Celebrate the Trail" with rides, food

The University of Southern Indiana and Burdette Park invite the public to "Celebrate the Trail," a bike ride and walk on the scenic USI-Burdette Trail, starting at 10 a.m. Saturday, October 28. The celebration will include free lunch and giveaways.

The USI-Burdette Trail allows users to witness Southwestern Indiana's natural beauty while connecting a picturesque park with USI's scenic 1,400-acre campus. The trail is a designated destination point of the American Discovery Trail (ADT), and has been named a National Recreation Trail by the Secretary of the Interior in 2008.

Registration beings at 10 a.m. at three locations (depending on desired length of the walk/bike ride):

• USI-Burdette Trail at University Boulevard on the USI campus (6-mile roundtrip from USI to Burdette Park).
• Broadway Avenue at USI's Broadway Recreational Complex (4-mile roundtrip).
• Burdette Park's Building 18 (short walks/rides within the park, or 6-mile roundtrip to USI).

 Bicyclists will depart at 10 a.m. from the Burdette Park BMX entrance. Walkers will take to the trail at 10:45 a.m. Water stations will be provided along the trail. Participants will receive a free t-shirt commemorating the event and goodie bags while supplies last.

Beginning at noon, a free picnic lunch of bratwursts, hot dogs, chips, ice cream and drinks will be available at Burdette Park Shelter #18.

USI students may check out bicycles from the Recreation, Fitness and Wellness Center with their Eagle Access Cards.

The event may be canceled if it rains. That decision will be made by 9 a.m. on the day of the event, and an update will be posted on the University of Southern Indiana and Burdette Park Facebook pages and websites.

For more information about the trail, go to USI.edu/trails. For event information or questions, contact Megan Doyle at 812-454-1745.