Evansville’s Pigeon Creek Greenway Passage Named ‘Trail of the Year’

The Pigeon Creek Greenway Passage was recognized as the 2012 Trail of the Year by the Indiana Greenways Foundation at the foundation’s sixth annual luncheon Tuesday in Indianapolis.

This is the first year the Indiana Greenways Foundation has presented awards for outstanding trail achievement and for trail leadership, said Foundation president Karen Bohn of Carmel. The Pigeon Creek Greenway was cited for its many features including a “beautiful riverfront” and “awe-inspiring vistas,” Bohn said. The Foundation promotes the growth, enhancement and use of Indiana greenways.

The Pigeon Creek Greenway’s 6.75-mile route spans five city parks and passes by the Evansville Museum of Arts, History & Science, the Pagoda, Dress Plaza and Casino Aztar. It stretches from the Heidelbach Avenue canoe launch on the north side to Sunrise Park on the Downtown riverfront.

The award made special mention of the Greenway’s historical and educational aspects. It cited the Marchand Bridge Overlook and Shirley James Gateway Plaza off Ohio Street, and the many trail signs that tell the history of the city and its people.

“I was personally impressed by the large number of people on the greenway when I visited it,” said Roy Robinson, the Indiana projects manager for the National Parks Service’s Rivers, Trails and Conservation Assistance Program. He presented the award to Denise Johnson, executive director of the Evansville Parks Department.