This is a placeholder page for information on the plans to connect Prairie Oaks Metropark and Battelle-Darby Metropark

Battelle Darby Metropark. Map (Click on map for full size)

Prairie Oaks Metropark Map (Click on map for full size)

UPDATE: 10/20/08

The Darby Creek Greenway Trail has an official second section in Battelle-Darby Metro Park open for use. About 1.7 Miles of the trail are open from the Cedar Ridge Picnic Area off Darby Creek Dr to the first cross of that roadway farther north. The remaining 2.5 miles, which will bring the trail to US 40 (W Broad St/National Rd) are slated to open later this year or early next year. More information here:Battelle Darby Metropark. The trail will eventually cross or underpass US 40 via the connector and join up with the first section, in Prairie Oaks, with an underpass of I-70.

Information as of 3/11/07

Plans are underway to construct an underpass of I-70 on the south side of Prairie Oaks Metro Park from the existing trail section. This will permit a future connection south to Battelle - Darby Metropark.

Addendum 7/28/07

I spoke with John O'Meara of Metro Parks and he said that while they had approval to go under I-70 from Prairie Oaks and were in the process of building trail north in Battelle-Darby, that the connection between the two had hit some snags on the planned route. They were not able to come to agreements for easements with some property owners. Alternatively, there was a development in the planning stages and Metro Parks were going to work with the developer and the local municipalities for a different trail routing. The trail would have to be routed away from the river for this stretch but if it works out, the two sections will be connected.