Second round of USI mountain bike trails set to move forward
March 28, 2023
Trail Heads - Southwest Indiana has successfully raised the 50% matching dollars for a $50,000 Indiana Housing and Community Development Authority (IHCDA) grant that will move forward a second phase of trails to be built on the University of Southern Indiana campus.
The project includes construction of a 2.75-mile Campus Loop and 0.5-mile Broadway Connector Trail, as well as trailhead kiosks and trail signage. The new single-track loop, with beginner-level features, will be constructed on more than 30 acres of wooded property adjacent to campus apartments.
With the matching dollars in place, state grant funds are expected to be released later this spring. Brad Scales, Principal of Trelcru Inc., says he expects to begin work on the trails in late summer or early fall.
“We’re excited to see this project funded and able to move forward later this year,” said Jim Wolfe, USI Director of Facility Operations and Planning. “These trails will be a nice addition to our quality-of-life offerings for students and the rest of our campus community, as well as being an outdoor recreation asset we can offer to the local community.”
USI, in collaboration with Trelcru, recently broke ground on the construction of a one-acre mountain bike park on the west side of the USI campus. The bike park includes three downhill flow trail runs complete with dirt jumps and bermed corners, offering beginner, intermediate and expert level experiences. Funded through a $25,000 grant from the CenterPoint Energy Foundation, these trails are the first dedicated mountain bike trails on campus and are expected to be completed early this spring.
About Trail Heads - Southwest Indiana
Trail Heads - Southwest Indiana is a non-profit organization with 501(c)3 charitable status. Its mission is to develop quality trails and support programs throughout southwest Indiana, including after-school group rides, bike maintenance, and trail work. For more information, please visit trailheadsbike.com.
About Trelcru Inc.
Trelcru Inc. is a trail builder that develops high-quality trails and parks to enhance recreational experiences. From concept to completion and ongoing maintenance, Trelcru helps clients maximize the potential of their land to make the greatest impact in their communities. Trelcru is online at trelcru.com.
About University of Southern Indiana
Founded in 1965, the University of Southern Indiana enrolls nearly 9,200 dual credit, undergraduate and graduate students in more than 130 areas of study. A public higher education institution, located on a beautiful 1,400-acre campus in Evansville, Indiana, USI offers programs through the College of Liberal Arts, Romain College of Business, College of Nursing and Health Professions, and the Pott College of Science, Engineering, and Education.