The Cardinal Greenway (TGC) is a multi-use recreational network combining a rail trail and an on-street route that together cross and five counties — in east central Indiana. The greenway, which was designated a National Recreation Trail in June 2003 and in 2018 was named to the Rails-to-Trails Conservancy's "Rail Trail Hall of Fame." uses the former CSX railroad track between Richmond and Marion. It is named after the Cardinal, the last regular passenger train service on the (Chicago-Cincinnati-Washington) route. Currently it is Indiana's longest rail trail project. The route, which is dedicated to pedestrian, bicycle and equestrian users, has nine bridges and passes the historic Wysor Street Depot. It also follow the White, Whitewater and Mississinewa Rivers. Marked in half-mile increments, the TGC has more than 20 trail heads, most with restrooms, parking areas, and interpretive markers. The system hosts annual events including the National Trails Day (June/Running), Cardinal Greenways Bike Fest (July/biking), Walk Indiana (September/walking), and BikeTOURberfest (October/bicycle). The Cardinal Greenway is part of the Northern Route of the American Discovery Trail. and connects to the White River Greenway near downtown Muncie. A current expansion is underway to construct the White River Greenway trail in downtown Muncie. In Richmond, the trail connects to the Whitewater Gorge Trail and Gennett Walk of Fame in the Whitewater Gorge Park. Background In 1993, volunteers organized an investigative meeting to study purchasing an abandoned rail line for a rails-to-trails conversion project. Removal of the steel rails began in late 1992. Work started in Marion and was completed from there through Richmond by June 1993. Cardinal Greenway, Inc., a not-for-profit, was formed, purchasing of the former railroad corridor from CSX Corporation in that same year (1993). In 1996 a Master Plan was completed and final drawings were submitted to INDOT. Groundbreaking took place in September 1997, marking the start of Phase 1, a Muncie section from the Wysor Street Depot to County Road 534 East. The Jonesboro-Marion section and the Richmond section were constructed sometime before 2003. The Muncie-Gaston section was constructed around 2003. In 2003, the Cardinal Greenway was designated a National Recreation Trail. The Losantville-Mt. Pleasant section was opened in a ribbon-cutting ceremony held in Losantville on April 19, 2007. Governor Mitch Daniels helped cut the ribbon. In 2008 the state governor announced grants which include work on the Richmond-to-Losantville section including the improvement of six bridges and the Sweetser Switch