NOTE: The Westside Trails are not a VCTA project. VCTA provides support and guidance when requested, but the project is spearheaded by the City of Danville.
The Westside Trails are an exciting development brought about by the magnificent CARLE medical campus, as well as the Golden Nugget casino. Each one has contributed material support for development of the riverfront area that runs through Ellsworth park to the confluence of the North and Salt Fork rivers, and then eastward under Memorial Bridge to the unnamed, undeveloped piece of city property to the east of the bridge.
Ellsworth Park has already undergone some incredible positive changes including new playground equipment, a disc golf course, vegetation clearing, and more. The Westside Trails would add varied trail experiences here as well, and VCTA envisions dedicated bike infrastructure such as a pump track and skills area that would perfectly accent the trail experience throughout the rest of the network.
Moving to the unnamed area to the east of Memorial Bridge and south of the Palmer Arena, VCTA advocates for this plot of land to be named Piankashaw Park, in honor of the indigenous word given simultaneously to the location, river, and people of the Vermilion River. There are big plans for Piankashaw Park, including an amphitheater and event center, trails, zip lines, and other potential attractions. It would also be appropriate to place a memorial to the several indigenous tribes that were displaced so that we all could call Danville home. Those tribes include the Piankashaw, Potawatomie, Kickapoo, Miami, and Wea, many of which were part of the Northwestern Confederacy revived under legendary indigenous leader Tecumseh and was ended, in our region, by future president William Henry Harrison in the Battle of Prophetstown.
Once complete, Ellsworth and Piankashaw Parks mean Danville would have nearly 100 acres of urban wilderness and park land accessible directly from the downtown area, a feature no other city in the region could boast! Future opportunities exist to expand this availability of park and natural wilderness access, both from the heart of Danville and several other access points. This would make Danville the perfect travel stop, as the south Gilbert corridor has many appealing amenities and the availability of natural environment so close to the interstate would be an appealing draw for many a weary traveler.