The Cardinal Greenway in Marion is the northern section of quite a long rail-trail system that connects Marion,
Muncie,
Losantville and
Richmond, Indiana. One of this pleasant trail's best attributes is that it links many neighborhoods and provides a non-motorized transportation corridor through the town.
Another attribute of this trail is its starting point in Marion, a town that takes great pride in its "coolnesss"—and for good reason: Marion was the birthplace of James Dean, who starred in film classics, such as "East of Eden" and "Rebel Without a Cause," before his death at age 24. Depending on your definition of "cool," another famous Marionite—Jim Davis, the creator of Garfield, the lasagna-loving comic strip cat—still remains local, with a studio in Muncie. (If this cat is up your alley, be sure to head to the 3-mile Sweetser Switch Trail, just north of Marion. At that trailhead, next to a retired train car, a 4-foot Garfield statue makes for a perfect photo-op to commemorate your trail trip.)
From the trailhead in Marion, where there is an information kiosk and ample parking, you continue to another trailhead at Hogin Park, on the far side of a small tunnel. That trailhead features parking, picnic tables, covered shelters and basketball courts.
After Hogin Park, you will cross the first of nine bridges in rapid succession, all of which add a unique flavor to this trail. Once the trail winds its way into Jonesboro, at approximately 6.5 miles, you will cross US 35; the trailhead is on the left. A slight uphill takes you to a bridge that overlooks the Mississinewa River. Students who attend school on the far side of the bridge often use this bridge to get there. After the school, it is a mere 0.5 mile to the trail's end at E. 10th St.
To access the Marion trailhead, take SR 18 (West 2nd Street) in Marion and turn south on S. Miller Avenue. The trailhead is located on the left after about 0.25 mile, just beyond the railroad crossing.
To reach the Jonesboro trailhead from US 35, turn south on S. Lincoln Boulevard and look for the trailhead immediately on the right.
This trail currently runs from 10th street south of the park in Jonesboro, IN through Marion to Sweetser, IN - a total now of about 11 miles. Sweetser has a picturesque depot stopping point and the trail has been maintained very nicely, but only one restaurant ...
My wife and I spent some time exploring the Cardinal Greenway that goes through Marion IN. last summer(about 71/2 miles one way). The South trail head parking is not at the end of the trail in Jonesboro IN.,(it’s just off of hyw 22 & 35) and one owes ...
"Rode the 27-mile paved section from Losantville (southern terminus of pavement) to Gaston (northern terminus of pavement) via Muncie on Labor Day, 2007. 54-mile round trip; cloudless sky; 65- 80 degrees; mostly calm to light W breeze.
Losantville ...