About Greenways Foundation

Our History

Founded in 1991 as the White River Greenway Foundation with the tenacious leadership of Ray Irvin the organization, we set out to clean up the White River and create a greenway for public enjoyment. Today, the White River Greenway (also known as the White River Trail or White River Wapahani Trail) follows the river in Indianapolis for nearly 7 miles and connects with the Eagle Creek Greenway, the Indianapolis Cultural Trail, and the Central Canal Towpath. This greenway inspired other communities, like Nobelsville, Carmel, Muncie, and Martinsville, to develop their own greenways along the river.

Over time, the vision of Greenways Foundation was expanded to include developing a network of trails across Central Indiana. Part of this vision included establishing the famous Monon Trail in partnership with the City of Indianapolis. Today, the Monon stretches more than 25 miles across central Indiana. This project has inspired another 60 miles of multi-use trail, Monon South, which is currently under construction and will connect Bedford to New Albany, making it the longest recreational trail in the state.

In 2001, the organization changed its name to Greenways Foundation and, five years later, expanded its focus to encompass all of Indiana. The organization partnered with national trails advocacy group, Rails-to-Trails Conservancy, to establish Indiana’s first Trails Caucus. Growing from four inspired assembly members in 2022 to 45 members in 2024, Greenways Foundation has collaborated with state leaders to bring the enriching presence of trails to everywhere in Indiana by funding more than $200M in the Next Level Trails program developed by Governor Eric Holcomb.

Today, Greenways Foundation offers more than $40,000 in annual grants and continues to advocates for trails locally and statewide.