City of Aurora Receives Significant Next Level Trails Grant

The grant will help pay for construction of a new trail connecting Aurora's downtown parks to the Dearborn Trail and other area parks.

Photo provided.

(Aurora, Ind.) - City of Aurora receives $974,325 in the third round Next Level Trails (NLT) grant. 38 communities and non-profit organizations are receiving a combined $65 million for 77 miles of new trail development from this highly competitive program. To date, $120 million has been awarded to build 190 miles of trails throughout Indiana. Ninety-four percent of Hoosiers live within five miles of a trail.

The NLT award is slated for constructing the estimated $1.3 million North Side Trail Connectors Project connecting Aurora’s downtown parks and existing Dearborn Trail network along the Ohio River with the Northside Neighborhood, Little League, PeeWee Football, City Pool, Aurora Community Center (ARCC) also providing pedestrians a safe way to cross US 50. The city has received signed letters of intent from both CSX Railroad and private property owners for the necessary easements required to construct the trail system.

Mayor Mark Drury said, “I feel really good about this being a game changer, because I feel like we have been disconnected from one side of town to the other, and this will make that connection possible. I can see no downsides to this project. It is going to change the atmosphere and connectivity of the parks”.

Trails connect communities together in such a personal way and are perfect pathways to good mental and physical well-being. These continued quality-of-life investments will reap generational economic and tourism development dividends and further showcase Indiana’s incredible outdoor experiences.

Photo provided.