Monon Trail Gets Green Facelift in Carmel, Indiana

Over 100 trees planted in Silva Cells are growing large, providing a host of environmental, economic, and social benefits to the rejuvenated district

“Trees in a modular suspended pavement system [Silva Cells] on Monon Boulevard are growing 32-35% more annually in comparison to nearby trees in similar conditions without a modular suspended pavement system.”

-Landscape Architecture Foundation

Monon Trail Project

Number of Silva Cells: 810 (2x)
Number of Trees: 140
Total Soil Volume: 27,000 ft³
Type of Project: Streetscape, Plaza
Project Designer: Rundell Ernstberger
Contractor: White Construction
Installation: 2018

Project Overview

Running a total of 24 miles north from Indianapolis, the Monon Trail in Indiana is a cycling and pedestrian pathway that sprang from the remains of a decommissioned railroad line in 1996. In 2017, a half-mile stretch of the trail running through the Midtown district in the city of Carmel began an ambitious redevelopment project as a mixed-use green space with the trail itself running through the core, surrounded by new residential and retail offerings. A total of 300 trees were planted in the area, 140 of which are accessing lightly compacted soil in Silva Cells — and these trees are already thriving, outperforming non-Silva Cell trees planted at the same time and providing the community with a number of environmental, economic, and social benefits.

Installation

Green on the Trail

A New Monon Trail in Carmel

In 2017, Major James Brainard envisioned a connective artery that would blend forest landscape with urban centers and suburbs while increasing green spaces. Rundell Ernstberger Associates, designers of the original Monon Trail in Carmel in 1990, led the design of the transformative project, in collaboration with White Construction and DeepRoot, and on completion of the project in 2019 achieved its redevelopment goals, including enhancing the community’s connectivity and walkability and providing a transformational recreational amenity.

72% Peak-Flow Runoff Rate Reduction

The new Carmel urban forest reduces stormwater runoff rates by intercepting 133,044 gallon of rainfall per year.

8 Degree Cooler Temperatures

Area surface temperate was lowered by as much as 8.9 degrees (compared to adjacent area resembling pre-construction conditions).

$167 Million in Private Investment

The area surrounding the new green space plaza has seen impressive private investment of nearly $170 million.

401,256 More People using the Trail

The number of people using the trail in the 3-year period after the green renovations jumped by over 115%.

32-35% Greater Annual Growth Rate

Silva Cell trees versus those not planted in Silva Cells

-Landscape Architecture Foundation

Green Space Amenities

The new Midtown district features color-coded pathways, a clear — and safety-conscious — visual delineation of each one’s purpose. There are also family-friendly games like shuffleboard and bocce ball, as well as public art, community tables, and trail-adjacent benches. Shade was of course an important component of making the area as inviting and comfortable as possible: Silva Cells are providing 27,000 total cubic feet of soil volume, ensuring trees have access to biologically active loamy soil for healthy growth while simultaneously protecting the hardscapes from root damage.

2019 vs 2024

Community Asset

The Monon Trail’s new green space district in Carmel is a tangible asset to the community, spurring private investment and enhancing urban living — while, due to the continued maturity and growth of the trees, will actually appreciate in value over time.

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