Healthy Communities of Henry County
In 2007 members of Healthy Communities of Henry County created a trail and greenway system plan. The Plan establishes a network for biking and walking in a safe and natural setting.
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Our vision is a series of trails spinning out from New Castle like the spokes on a bicycle wheel.
Wilbur Wright Trail
The route will primarily follow the former Pennsylvania Railroad through picturesque farmland. The trail is named after Henry County native and famed aviator Wilbur Wright.
​The Wilbur Wright Trail (phase 1 completed in 2013), originating at the Henry County YMCA and continuing on to the Wilbur Wright Fish and Wildlife area, is a 2-mile paved trail offering walking, running and bicycling opportunities.
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Length: 3.1 miles
Originate: YMCA
Trail: Paved
Type: Out and back
National Road Heritage Trail
The National Road Heritage Trail (NRHT) passes through southern Henry County on its way across the state. The name reflects its path which will often follow the old railroad corridor which roughly parallels the historic "National Road" (now US 40 in most places).
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Plans call for all three open segments to be linked into a single Pennsy Trail in the future. The trail is also set to become one of the vital components of the National Road Heritage Trail, a proposed border-to-border trail stretching more than 150 miles between Terre Haute and Richmond, Indiana, on the abandoned Pennsylvania Railroad corridor. Just over 7 miles of the NRHT are now open in Henry County in two sections. The Lewisville section is 3 miles long, while the Raysville section is approximately 4 miles long.
Length: 8 miles
Originate: Lewisville & Raysville
Trail: Crushed Stone/Gravel
Type: Out and back
Wolly Bear Parkway
The Woolly Bear Trail, named after the winter forecasting Woolly Bear Caterpillar, is located in Kennard, a small town in the western edge of Henry County.​
It is a 1.8 mile natural trail that begins in a grassy area and extends into wooded land that is rich in native wild flowers and wild raspberries. This trail is perfect for a quiet stroll to get lost in nature or a for a nature lesson with the kids. It is also a wonderful trail for running and cycling.​
The Woolly Bear Trail, named after the winter forecasting Woolly Bear Caterpillar, is located in Kennard, a small town in the western edge of Henry County.
​It is a 1.8 mile natural trail that begins in a grassy area and extends into wooded land that is rich in native wild flowers and wild raspberries. This trail is perfect for a quiet stroll to get lost in nature or a for a nature lesson with the kids. It is also a wonderful trail for running and cycling.​
Length: 1.4 miles
Originate: Kennard
Trail: Grass
Type: Out and back
Honey Creek Trail
"...The trail – Henry County’s youngest among a growing number of pathways that include New Castle, Lewisville and Knightstown areas – has been open for awhile. Now instead of the gravelly crunch underneath walkers’ feet, smooth pavement is planned all the way to Road 600N, southeast of the unincorporated Honey Creek community.
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Add the newest grant to trails already developed here, and it means nearly $7 million in grant money has come to Henry County to develop, improve and add to these recreational jewels."
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- Darrel Radford, 3/6/21, Courier Time
“It’s great for Henry County, Middletown and the Honey Creek trail,” said Jeff Ray, the Healthy Communities volunteer behind the local trails movement. “We had to wait a year to find out if we’d made it. It’s been a lot of work but it will really help northwest Henry County.
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"Starting on the west side of town at Mechanicsburg Road, Honey Creek Trail will connect Middletown's three parks as it continues southeast through the unincorporated area of Honey Creek before ending at Henry County Road 600 North." -Don Knight, The Herald Bulletin, Anderson, Ind.
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Length: 5.3 miles
Originate: Middletown
Trail: 1.2 miles paved
Type: Out and back