EMMA EDICK
eedick@butler.edu
STAFF REPORTER
You may have driven through, or even explored, one of the six unique cultural districts in Indianapolis before.But have you discovered them all in one day?
The Indianapolis Cultural Trail links neighborhoods and entertainment attractions together with Indy’s six cultural districts. The eight-mile bike-and-pedestrian pathway stretches from Broad Ripple Village to the Canal and White River State Park over to Fountain Square. The Cultural Trail also highlights Indiana Avenue, Massachusetts Avenue and the Wholesale District.
Indiana Pacers Bikeshare makes it possible to see all six of these cultural hubs in one trip. The bikeshare is a program of Indianapolis Cultural Trail, Inc., and is Indy’s public bicycle-sharing system downtown.
250 Pacers Bikeshare bikes are available from 25 stations, all of which are located near or along the Indianapolis Cultural Trail.
Since its birth, the Cultural Trail was designed as a place for “enriching the lives of Indianapolis residents and visitors by providing a beautiful connection to each other, culture, art and healthy living,” according to its website.
While pedaling or walking along, residents and visitors of Indianapolis pass seven public art projects and the Glick Peace Walk.
David and Debbie Patterson of Texas were in town last weekend visiting their friends Butch and Rhonda Boyum.
The Boyums, who recently moved to Indiana from Texas, said taking a bike ride on the Cultural Trail was the perfect way to show their friends around the city.
“They’re so family-oriented down here,” Rhonda Boyum said. “I like it.”
The Pacers Bikeshare kiosk located on Massachusetts Avenue is a 15-minute drive from campus. If you want to avoid traffic, the Cultural Trail links to the Monon Trail.
Once downtown, 24-hour bike passes are available for $8 at any Indiana Pacers Bikeshare kiosk. $80 annual memberships can be purchased online.
An unlimited number of 30-minute rides can be taken for the duration of the pass. Additional charges are applied if you do not dock the bike every half-hour at designated stations.
There is not an appointed start nor end point for the Cultural Trail. It is left to the rider’s discretion. Parking spots are available in the parking garage at the White River State Park, alongside Virginia Avenue to the southeast and Massachusetts Avenue to the northeast.
For more information on passes, check pacersbikeshare.org. For parking help, visit indyculturaltrail.org.
A letter from “Out on the town” reporter, Emma Edick:
Dearest readers,
If you are from out-of-town, out-of-state or just out of the loop, I am here to share with you all of the healthy and fun experiences Indianapolis has to offer.
Each week, I will spotlight a different event, adventure or exhibit happening right around the corner, just waiting to be discovered.
I call Columbus, Ohio, “home” with immense pride. I came to Butler last fall because I wanted to explore a new city, and Indianapolis seemed like the right fit for me. After getting my bearings on new turf as a freshman, I realized I did not take full advantage of Butler’s location as much as I had hoped.
This year, it is on the top of my to-do list to make Indianapolis my second home.
The amount of support for the arts and culture in this city definitely took me by surprise. I not only want to be a cheerleader for this emerging city, I want to make sure the people around me are celebrating their community as well.
Sincerely,
Emma Edick
