CLARKSVILLE, IN (October 15, 2021) – The Town of Clarksville is getting a little help in beautifying our local trails. On Thursday it was announced that Clarksville was awarded a $10,000 grant by Duke Energy for the Clarksville Tree Canopy Expansion Project. The funding will be used to purchase, plant and maintain approximately 50 trees along the new Discovery Trail and Gateway Park. It just so happens that the Discovery Trail runs right past the Duke Energy building in Clarksville, which includes a trailhead near the Duke Energy Parking Lot.
“Duke Energy was a wonderful partner in the building of the Discovery Trail, by allowing us to purchase part of their property for a trailhead and parking lot,” said Ken Conklin, Communications Director for the Town of Clarksville. “We are very appreciative of Duke Energy’s continued support for the Town of Clarksville and its residents.”
The Clarksville Discovery Trail opened in the fall of 2020, after nearly a decade of planning. The trail used funding from the State of Indiana to convert nearly 2 miles of old CSX railroad into a paved trail. Once completed, the trail connected several other Clarksville trails including the Heritage Trail, Levee Trail, and the Ohio River Greenway.
The Town of Clarksville isn’t the only local entity to benefit from the Duke Energy grant program. It was also announced that the River Heritage Conservancy, which is building the new Origin Park in Clarksville, was also awarded $10,000. That funding will be used to create the Origin Park Blueway Garden. This garden will enhance the activation of the Silver Creek Blueway and support local wildlife, including birds and pollinators.
The Duke Energy Foundation awarded 17 grants totaling $190,000 to programs that support a wide range of environmental initiatives across Indiana, including projects to support water quality, conservation, and habitat and forest restoration.
“Duke Energy is committed to responsible environmental stewardship and enhancing opportunities for outdoor recreation in the communities we serve,” said Duke Energy Indiana President Stan Pinegar. “That’s why we’re proud to partner with a number of local organizations that are doing meaningful work in our communities to promote environmental education and to preserve and restore Indiana’s land, water and habitats.”
Over the last five years, the Duke Energy Foundation has awarded 58 grants totaling $946,000 to organizations across Indiana for projects that support environmental responsibility.
