Town Run Trail Park

Tried to go to park and it was «closed» by a mountain biker. Conveniently for him and his friends it was closed to the public but he opened and closed the gate. When I asked him why it wasn’t okay to run in the park he said runners «damage the trail» and «run when they shouldn’t in the park». However he proceeded to bike in with friends. Most mountain bikers in the area are elitist and exclusive. This park should be better regulated and maintained like Eagle Creek or Starkey Park in Zionsville. Right now it’s terrorized by bros.

I always say that Indy has something for everybody, but saying that it has a place inside of 465 for mountain bikers to go enjoy their hobby is even something that surprises me. Fortunately, it’s a true statement, and its access is completely free. This little park located south of 96^th St. between Keystone and Allisonville is in an area normally associated with businesses and restaurants, but this wooded trail that runs along creeks and ponds is a nice way to escape that. Granted, you’re still reminded of where you are when you hear the traffic on the interstate, but it sure beats biking anywhere else in the area.
The entrance to the park can be easy to miss, but it’s a little gravel turn off of 96^th St. just east of Hazel Dell. There is a small sign, but it’s easy to miss on the busy street. Once you turn in, there is a nice large paved lot, a shelter house, lots of picnic tables, and a big information board about the trail. I’ve never been the only one at the park, and there are usually quite a few other people there either on the trail already or getting prepped. The information that is posted on their board is pretty helpful, so it would be a good idea to check that out.
The trail itself is maintained fantastically. It’s only open during the day, and closes when it is too wet to ride without harming the trail, but it’s one of the better mountain biking trails I’ve been on, although that’s a short list. It’s labeled as a beginner trail, and I think that’s appropriate. It will give a beginner plenty of challenges without ever putting them too far out of their comfort zone. It’s also fun for more advanced riders as it is a very fast and flowing trail that you can really fly though. The HMBA, who maintains the trail, has done a good job of putting splits in the trail that can take you to jumps, bridges, and drops if you want to hit those obstacles. The majority of the trail is through woods, with a little bit of it opening into a grassland type area. It’s mostly a dirt trail, but there are some sections that get kind of rocky or have a lot of tree roots that make it fun. There aren’t really any substantial hills, but there are plenty of short sharp inclines that mix things up. It’s also a great place to see plenty of wildlife. I’ve seen quite a few deer out there and you can always hear squirrels and birds all around. A significant portion of the trail runs next to water, either in the form of a large creek or a pond, and as long as you don’t end up in either of them, it makes for a nice scenic ride.
I think they say the trail is about 9 miles long. It’s a single track trail that runs clockwise and everything is very clearly marked and distinguishable. At about the halfway point (when you are going under the interstate) you can turn around and catch the return part of the loop to cut the trip in half. While there are quite a few people that use it, I would never say it gets crowded. There are some good riders that make it out here, so if you are slower than someone coming up behind you there are plenty of places to pull aside and just wait to let them pass you so you never feel pressured to push yourself faster than the pace that you want.
A quick note for those who decide they want to hike or trail run here; it is one of the few trails in which bikers actually have the right of way, so be careful and respectful.
A huge thanks to all the HMBA members and volunteers who keep this trail in perfect condition.

I wanted to give this place one star so fewer people will go and crowd the trail, but I couldn’t bring myself to do it. This is a great bike trail on the northside of the city bordering Carmel. The loop is perfect for a quick 40 minute or so ride.
This is where some idiots will post something like, «This trail sucks compared to the ones in Brown County» or «This trail sucks compared to the one I rode in Whistler, British Columbia.» Sure, but you’re not in Brown County or Whistler, are you Sherlock? If you are reading this, you probably live in Indy or one of the northern suburbs, so Brown County and Whistler are not viable alternatives for a quick 40 minute ride.

Wonderful little find :)
Truly a great discovery that Mrs. F spied with her little eye! You would never know this park was here, there the tiniest of signs just before the white river bridge if you are heading east on 96^th st.
I feel like the Mountain Biker community might have my head for sharing this local secret, as it is Mountain Biking Trail as well as a hiking trail. Mrs. F and I explored all sorts of winding, hilly, woody, rocky trails. We probably walked 3 – 4 miles of pure outdoor bliss. Hike this trail and I swear to you you’ll escape the hustle and bustle and you’ll swear to yourself you are not in Indy.
It’s a magical place and I plan to tell all my green loving friends about this wonderful little «hole in the wall» park!