Evansville Greenway eroding into Pigeon Creek

EVANSVILLE, IN (WFIE) - A section of Evansville’s Pigeon Creek Greenway Passage is closed near Garvin Park. The Parks Board tell us the repairs have been a long time coming.

The plans could make it safer for everyone using the trail, too. Nearly 20 years after the Greenway was built, that section behind the levee has been sliding into Pigeon Creek.

Of course, that is a safety issue, but the plan will make it safer in another way, too by moving the pathway to this more visible area. The Evansville Greenway is closed from the Ulhorn Trailhead to the Garvin Park Trailhead.

“What we’ve noticed over time is a gradual settling or slide if you will has taken place,” says Parks & Recreation Executive Director Brian Holtz.

The Parks Department and the Army Corps of Engineers have been monitoring this stretch of Pigeon Creek for years. The time has come to make a change.

“The best thing to do is to remove the Greenway from that area because of the potential long term slide issue,” says Holtz.

Executive Director Holtz is not concerned about any adverse environmental affects. Of course the recent rains have not helped with the slide offs

“I ain’t been down there," says David Reynolds. "I’m sure it is though. All the rain. We had a lot of rain this year.”

The fix is two fold. Crews are currently working on Phase One.

“To return the existing Greenway back to natural inhabitant if you will so it will become part of the Pigeon Creek bank,” says Holtz.

Then there is Phase Two.

“That is to physically move the actual Greenway that was once there onto the other side of the levee wall,” says Holtz.

Bringing with it an added bonus of safety.

“One of the complaints we always get is kind of when you’re on the Greenway in that area you’re behind the levee wall, which is kind of secluded which is kind of hidden," says Holtz. "Bringing it onto the other side of the levee wall then opens it up and there’s increased security as well as a pretty open area line of sight to be able to see more visible people walking in that area.”

The city hoped to have this project finished by spring, but weather delays pushed their new goal date to summer.

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