Following the bends of Pleasant Run Creek, the trail feels tucked away from the bustle of the city, yet it threads together three of the city’s classic parks.

Length:
5.9 miles
Surface Type:
Paved
End Points:
E. Pleasant Run Pkwy S. Dr. and N. Ritter Ave. (Irvington), E. Pleasant Run Pkwy N. Dr. and Conservatory Drive (Garfield Park)
Open Hours:
24 hours
Suited For:
  • Bike-Friendly
  • Pedestrian-Friendly
  • Skate-Friendly
Amenities:
  • Trash Can
  • Food & Drink
  • Restrooms
  • Playground
  • Benches
  • Picnic Tables

Along the Pleasant Run Greenway

Local Highlights

  • Ellenberger Park

    Website
    Ellenberger Park spans 42 acres along the Pleasant Run Greenway in the Irvington area, offering a mix of natural beauty and active recreation. The park includes a seasonal swimming pool, two playgrounds, tennis and pickleball courts, sand volleyball, an indoor multipurpose facility, and wooded trails that wind beside Pleasant Run Creek.
    • Trash Can
    • Food & Drink
    • Restrooms
    • Playground
    • Benches
    • Picnic Tables

  • Garfield Park

    Website
    Garfield Park spans 128 acres just minutes from downtown Indy along the Pleasant Run Greenway. As the city’s oldest park, it features gardens, fountains, trails, a conservatory, and arts center—offering a scenic, historic escape close to the heart of the city.
    • Trash Can
    • Food & Drink
    • Restrooms
    • Playground
    • Benches
    • Picnic Tables
Explore more on trail map

About the Pleasant Run Greenway

The Pleasant Run Greenway multi-use path that largely follows the bends of Pleasant Run Creek from Ellenberger Park in historic Irvington down to Garfield Park, with a natural-feeling corridor that stays surprisingly calm for being inside the city. The ride or walk has a classic “parkway green ribbon” vibe as it threads through the creek-side landscape and links together some of Indy’s most beloved southeast-side park spaces, including Christian Park along the way.

Most of the route is paved asphalt, and where the creek-side corridor narrows or infrastructure interrupts the parkway, the trail transitions into access paths using neighborhood sidewalks for short stretches before returning to the greenway. That mix makes it an easy “choose-your-own-distance” outing: a quick loop from a park, a longer out-and-back along the creek, or a point-to-point that feels like a mini tour of Indy’s east and south sides as the scenery changes from wooded banks to open park views.

It’s also a strong connector trail. From the south end near Garfield Park, riders can reach the Red Line rapid transit at the Garfield Park station area on Shelby Street, and cyclists can continue north toward Fountain Square and the Indianapolis Cultural Trail using Shelby’s protected connector trail. Whether you’re out for a morning jog, a family stroll, or a relaxed bike ride that stays close to nature, Pleasant Run delivers that “tucked-away” feeling while still keeping you connected to city neighborhoods and classic Indy parks.

Pleasant Run Greenway bridge
Bridge along Pleasant Run Greenway near Ellenberger Park.
Pleasant Run Greenway sign
Trail signage along Pleasant Run Greenway near Ellenberger Park.

Helpful to know

  • Take the Shelby Street connector trail to access the Indianapolis Cultural Trail.
  • Take the Ritter Ave. connector trail to access the Pennsy Trail.
  • On portions of the Pleasant Run Greenway you may come across temporary encampments in certain areas. Trail users are encouraged to stay aware of their surroundings and respect all members of the community.

Intersecting trails

Trailgoers enjoying the Pennsy in Irvington neighborhood. Pennsy Trail logo

Pennsy Trail

A two-part easy, level trail following the old Pennsylvania Railroad connecting the historic Irvington neighborhood through Cumberland and into the Hancock County countryside.

Total Distance:
16.9 miles across two segments
Region:
East
Cyclists on the Indianapolis Cultural Trail in White River State Park.

Indianapolis Cultural Trail

Named "the biggest and boldest step by any American city" by Project for Public Spaces, this internationally-acclaimed 8-mile biking and walking trail connects all six of Indy's Cultural Districts.

Total Distance:
8 miles
Region:
Central