The City of Fishers announced the formation of the Nickel Plate Trail Master Planning Committee today. The Committee will oversee the master plan of the Nickel Plate Trail, announced February 2017, from 96th Street to 146th Street in Fishers. The Committee will release the RFP for design in June, with a focus on creating a unique experience for trail users and residents.
“The Nickel Plate Trail will allow residents and visitors to experience our city in new and different ways, and this Committee will help create another amenity toward our vision of creating a vibrant city,” said Fishers Mayor Scott Fadness. “Residents often request increased connectivity for walking, running, and biking in our community and this trail will be a major step toward fulfilling that need.”
The Nickel Plate Master Planning Committee will be co-chaired by Fishers Councilman John Weingardt and Fishers resident Amanda Welu of DELV Design. The Committee, comprised of Fishers residents with expertise in art, entrepreneurship, community, wellness, education, and business, will guide the planning process. The Committee will include advisory stakeholder members from neighboring communities of Noblesville and Indianapolis to consider opportunities for collaboration along their own Nickel Plate corridors. Residents interested in being involved in the planning process may email Lexi Onofrey at npt@fishers.in.us. Public planning meetings will likely occur this fall to welcome public input.
“I’m looking forward to working hand-in-hand with local leaders and stakeholders to bring this free recreational amenity to our community,” said Committee Co-Chair and Fishers City Councilman John Weingardt. “Our Committee will strive to create a destination for all to enjoy for years to come.”
The Master Planning Committee will seek design ideas to incorporate branding elements, design themes, future art installation locations and examples, trail enhancement options, crosswalk designs, signage, trailhead locations, and identification of other experiential amenities designed such as benches, water fountains, and bike stations. The guidelines may be adapted and expanded by neighboring communities as desired.
“Bringing together a cross-section of community members and stakeholders to provide insight and expertise to the entire planning process will ensure the Nickel Plate Trail will positively impact Fishers through unique experiences found nowhere else in the metro,” remarked Amanda Welu, Committee Co-Chair and Partner with DELV Design. “We look forward to guiding the community through this process and bringing our collective vision to life.”
The Nickel Plate Trail Master Planning Committee will meet regularly throughout the planning process and will provide updates to the public via the Trail’s website, nickelplatetrail.com. Committee members include:
- John Weingardt, Fishers City Councilman (Co-Chair)
- Amanda Welu, DELV Design (Co-Chair)
- David Becker, First Internet Bank
- Erik Braden, Braden Business Systems
- Shawn Curran, Fishers Running Club
- Debbie Driskell, Delaware Township Trustee
- Dan Kloc, Fishers Arts Council
- Lori Mankin, New Britton Elementary
- Ailithir McGill, Nickel Plate Arts
- Jake Reardon-McSoley, Fishers YMCA
- Brenda Myers, Visit Hamilton County
- Corby Thompson, Boomerang Development
- John Wechsler, Launch Fishers / Indiana IoT Lab – Fishers
- Scott Whitlock, Flexware Innovation
Advisory committee members include:
- Caleb Gutshall, City of Noblesville
- Karen Kryah, Binford Redevelopment Group (BRAG)
- Lindsey Lord, Indy Arts Council
- Jennifer Milliken, Urban Land Institute
- Mark Zwoyer, City of Indianapolis
More information and updates on the process may be found at nickelplatetrail.com.