Board hears regional Ohio River trail effort; approves application for Greenways Foundation grant to study trail connectivity

Town Council liaison Paul Perry and staff briefed the Parks Board on a regional river-renewal effort led by EREP in Evansville and a separate Ohio River Way initiative that recently secured a federal water-trail designation. Paul said the region is exploring large-scale riverfront investments, including parking and trail improvements and a previously-discussed cantilever trail alignment at Old Lock and Dam Park that would require significant engineering and funding. He said the town may be able to "piggyback" on regional projects if they proceed.
Chris Cook described a specific grant opportunity from the Greenways Foundation worth up to $10,000 to study trail connectivity from the river to Lou Dennis Park and to identify a termination point that could tie into the county trail. Chris said he planned to submit the application and asked for a motion to proceed. Tammy moved and a second was recorded; the board approved applying for the Greenways Foundation grant.
Why it matters: The grant-funded study could link local trail planning to broader regional initiatives and federal funding streams, potentially informing parking, crosswalk and riverfront improvements. Paul and staff noted parallel efforts including a parking study and an SS4a-funded project tied to the Old Lock and Dam crosswalk that is awaiting final federal paperwork.
Next steps: Staff will submit the Greenways Foundation application and continue coordination with regional partners, including EREP and Ohio River Way coordinators; any larger design or construction proposals will return to the board and council.