The Pennsy Trail in Greenfield runs for a little more than 5 miles through Greenfield between S. 400 E and S. 150 W streets. Passing through farmland and the Greenfield Country Club golf course, the trail also traverses neighborhoods and is within a short walking distance of downtown. The trail also crosses Brandywine Creek, alleged to be the creek where the "Old Swimmin' Hole" was found in James Whitcomb Riley's poem of the same name.
The dead-straight, paved trail occupies a portion of the old right-of-way of the Pennsylvania Railroad ("Pennsy" for short) and parallels the Old National Road. The Indiana portion of the corridor extended from Richmond, Indiana, through Indianapolis to the eastern border of Illinois. Along these tracks the body of President Abraham Lincoln was carried back to Illinois, April 30, 1865.
You'll find another segment of the
Pennsy Trail in Indianapolis.
Parking is available at each end of the trail: at CR 150 W and at CR 400 E (has a portable toilet) You can also park at Center Street in downtown Greenfield and at Morristown Pike.
So many rail trails seem to want to eliminate every vestige of their railroad heritage...Even with their trail names. Well here, in my opinion, is the capping beauty of Indiana rail-trails which other preservation groups should study and model their trails ...
I agree with previous reviews, not a lot to see, but you will be hard pressed to find a trail that is in better shape or more accessible. I rode it in on 07/21/2012 when we had an 85 degree day after three weeks of 100 degree heat, so I was fortunate ...
The Pennsy Trail in Greenfield, IN is a mostly linear trail as would be expected with a rail-trail. The in-town portion of the trail passes by light manufacturing and warhousing areas as well as a few neighborhoods. There are not too many cross streets ...