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.
From Rails to Trails: A Historical Look
Cardinal Greenways' roots date back over a century to the early 1900s when the Chesapeake & Ohio Railroad line expanded to connect Cincinnati to Chicago. Built to serve railroad passengers, the Wysor Street Depot was one of the state's finest depots of the time though it fell into deep disrepair over the decades.
In the early 1990s, local leaders saw an opportunity to connect communities across East Central Indiana by converting the then-abandoned rail line to a trail. What followed was years of persistence—and today, more than 60 miles of trail, with more to come. A full renovation of the historic depot was undertaken, and it now serves as a Muncie landmark and the Cardinal Greenways' headquarters.
Ball Brothers Foundation has been proud to support Cardinal Greenways since the 1990s, facilitating early meetings with key stakeholders, providing matching dollars for construction, and supporting new projects over the decades.
Special thanks to Delaware County Historical Society for historic photos. See more in their online catalog.
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.