BBF 100: Historical Ties to Cardinal Greenways
Cardinal Greenways began in the early 1990s as a community-led effort to transform an abandoned railroad corridor into a regional trail connecting East Central Indiana. Incorporated as a nonprofit in 1993, Cardinal Greenways purchased miles of former rail line and began building what would become Indiana’s longest rail-trail, with the first trail segment opening from Prairie Creek Reservoir to the Wysor Street Depot Muncie in the late 1990s.
Ball Brothers Foundation has supported Cardinal Greenways since the beginning, helping facilitate meetings with stakeholders early in the land acquisition process, providing matching dollars for construction, and supporting operating expenses over time. BBF’s long-standing partnership reflects a shared commitment to community connectivity, outdoor recreation, and quality of life—work that continues today as the trail expands and evolves.
Original Construction of the Cardinal Greenway, 1990s
Kitselman Trailhead Phase 3 Construction, 2025–2026
BBF & Cardinal Greenways Stories Through the Years
Ball Brothers Foundation was pleased to partner with the Cardinal Greenway to host a partner update and groundbreaking for the next phase of the Kitselman Trailhead project in late April. Over the past decade, Ball Brothers Foundation has awarded over $1 million for construction and project management for this transformational project that serves as a gateway and connector for the Muncie community.