Sullivan Greenway System expands to Lover’s Lane with INDOT funds
Sullivan, IN – Today, the City of Sullivan embarks and breaks ground on an exciting and significant addition to the Sullivan Greenway System – Lover’s Lane Loop. Over $1 million in funding provided by the Indiana Department of Transportation (INDOT) allows the City of Sullivan to expand the Sullivan Greenway System to the historic Lover’s Lane.
The Sullivan Greenway System is a continuously evolving outdoor trail system within the City with the goal of promoting connectivity, walkability, health and wellness and outdoor recreation for Sullivan residents and visitors. “The Sully” always leads to downtown Sullivan, ultimately boosting economic vitality for local businesses and organizations. The connection of the Sully to Lover’s Lane Loop is the next step in the overall big picture.
“By connecting our historic Lover’s Lane to the Sully, we’re not only enhancing our walkability, but we’re also connecting downtown Sullivan to the Sullivan’s Historic Carnegie Library,” stated Mayor Clint Lamb. “There are so many essential benefits of having a walkable City. Connecting our library, which sits right outside of Lover’s Lane, also brings walkable access to a source of education and resources for both kids and adults. This is a special day.”
Lover’s Lane pays homage to a historical and prominent outdoor sidewalk. The path uniquely is not lined by any streets, and instead cuts down the middle of a block. In the early 1900’s, a local doctor, Dr. Crowder, self-funded a sidewalk to connect his house to the City’s first hospital where he worked. Over the years, the name “Lover’s Lane” was adopted by the locals.
Lover’s Lane’s connection to the Sullivan Greenway System serves as the first addition and expansion of the Sully. In 2013, efforts to create the greenway and a walkable city began to take place. It started with the re-pavement of the downtown square, followed by the City’s first pedestrian crosswalks. In 2016/2017, the City of Sullivan was awarded an Office of Community and Rural Affairs (OCRA) grant to fix decades of stormwater challenges. This resulted in needing to rip out the sidewalk by Central Plaza to address flooding and stormwater issues. Instead of simply replacing the sidewalk, the City added the first segment of the Sullivan Greenway System. Over time, the sidewalks on the east and south sides of the square were finalized, furthering the Sully.
The concept for the Lover’s Lane connection was conceived in 2014. The City applied for INDOT funding in 2017 and was awarded in 2018. Starting today, after the bidding process, construction officially begins.
“Our administration has been devoted to this project for many years,” continued Lamb. “Projects like these take many years to come to fruition. Today, we’re celebrating one major step.”
The Lover’s Lane segment will extend north to Washington Street, continue east to the intersection of Section and Washington Street and continue two more blocks east to Main Street to the north side of the downtown square.
The Lover’s Lane connection is expected to be completed by May 2022.
