BROWNSTOWN — The Brownstown Town Council recently received another progress report on the development of a plan to provide people with a safe biking/walking path.

“Things are moving forward well. We had a great time at the fair,” Jane Ellery said.

Ellery and her husband Pete, who are the owners of E2praxis in Ewing, are leading an initiative, supported by a $20,000 grant from the Indiana State Department of Health, aiming to develop safe and enjoyable pathways for the community. The plan includes creating new trails and improving existing ones, with a focus on connecting key areas such as schools, parks and the fairgrounds.

The effort also includes working on marketing and promoting these activities to encourage more residents to participate.

The Ellerys and members of an advisory team set up shop during the fair in late July to interact with people about the initiative and Guardian Bicycles in Seymour also donated two bicycles to use for displaying in the booth.

“We spoke to over 200 people which was really exciting,” Jane said.

She said they received really good feedback although it wasn’t as in-depth as organizers, including the efforts advisory board members would have liked.

“But we got the names of 20 people from Brownstown who want to get more involved,” Jane said.

The plan is to meet with those people in groups of six to eight to get some in-depth ideas.

She said her husband also has put together a Storymap to share concept images of potential walking/bicycling paths in town.

The Storymap shows before and after scenarios of potential areas for trails in town.

“It allows people to envision just what might be and the potential for what a bike path through town might be,” Pete said.

Councilman Tim Robinson questioned the Ellerys about the percentage of people who might use a bicycling/walking trail and if it would be possible to get numbers.

“I think in rural Indiana this is very unique. It’s mostly in urban places,” Jane said. “We could probably get some.”

“If we have 3,000 people and we see a 1% usage, I hate to do all this work for 30 people,” Robinson said.

Jane Ellery said on a large scale, the recently completed Rock the Rind is a good example of what can happen if an opportunity is created in a community.

“It could be a destination for people around here,” she said. “Our focus is on local people, but it doesn’t prevent other people from using it.”

She also said they would be looking for grants to fund any trail work.

Jane said right now there is a Safe Streets for All grant program in place.

“They’re trying to get money in rural America,” she said. “If we build, will they come. Probably not, but if we get them involved and create the space that they say they want and they helped create it then they are going to be more likely to use it. We are really focusing on connecting people.”

“Safety continues to emerge as a key consideration in the planning process. The proposed biking/walking concepts were well received. In-depth public conversations will advance our insight into perceptions related to biking and walking in Brownstown.”

The Safe Streets for All program is accepting applications for a $100,000 grant to do a study and some demonstrations to add address safety concerns along Bloomington Road near Brownstown Central Middle School, Jane said.

She said the grant requires a 20% local match for a total of $125,000. The application must come from a governmental agency such as the council.

She said her plans are to approach Healthy Jackson County about providing the match and asking the council to apply for the grant.

Jane also said she would like to hold a bike rodeo on May 17, 2025.

A second advisory team committee meeting was held Monday and there will be additional public conversations/meetings throughout this month.