Carol Johnson | Southern Indiana Business Report
BORDEN – A generous donation from a Clark County cycling club has brought the campaign to add public restrooms along the Monon South Trail to its fundraising goal.
The Southern Indiana Wheelmen delivered a check for $3,305 Wednesday to the Town of Borden and Radius Indiana. The town plans to restore the 1900-era Borden State Bank building by turning it into a new public restroom facility. The former bank, which at one time served as Borden Town Hall, is in an ideal location for serving the trail. It is located across from the trailhead, is close to Borden Town Hall and Borden High School. The Borden trailhead offers several amenities, including seating, shade and access to 24-Hour Trail Snacks & Drinks.
“We are so grateful to everyone who donated, shared our campaign, and cheered us on. This truly is a community effort!” said Brenna LaDuke, Town of Borden development coordinator.
“We have been looking for funding for this building since 2018, and we are thrilled that it is finally coming to fruition,” LaDuke said. “This project isn’t just about fixing up a building – it’s about preserving the history of the old Borden State Bank, strengthening our downtown, and creating a space the whole community and visitors can enjoy for years to come. We are currently looking to complete the project by fall of 2026.”
The town launched a fundraising campaign on Patronicity in January with a goal of raising $48,000. Successful campaigns are matched dollar for dollar by the Indiana Housing and Community Development Authority’s CreatINg Places program, doubling the impact of donors. The effort to raise funds for the building’s renovation received a $250,000 grant from Go SoIn Tourism in 2025.
“We’re very excited to be able to contribute to this,” said Peggy Bannon, president of the Southern Indiana Wheelman.
Bannon explained the Southern Indiana Wheelmen had its annual awards banquet and the winners of the 50/50 raffle decided to donate their winnings to the Borden Bank campaign. Club members and raffle winners Tony Young and Jeannie Garrison-Young then challenged the SIW to match their donation.
Bannon said the club agreed to match their gift with $1,000 and went one step farther.
“We put it out to the club to donate and we collected more donations,” she said.
In all, the Southern Indiana Wheelmen gift came from 21 contributors.
On behalf of the town, LaDuke thanked the Southern Indiana Wheelmen for their donation, the previous contribution from Go SoIn and project support from Radius Indiana.
The Monon South Trail has barely been open a year but Bannon said the cycling group has already logged many miles on the southern sections of the trail.
“Weather permitting, we’re here every other Wednesday for a group ride,” she said. “We’re always looking for something different and the Monon South Trail is beautiful and it’s safe.”
Cyclists can get a 25-mile out-and-back ride on the Monon South, 28 miles if they start at Deam Lake State Recreation Area.
Phase 1 construction completed 20 miles of trail in the communities of Mitchell, Orleans, Campbellsburg, Salem, New Pekin and Borden. Last month Radius Indiana received $1 million federal funds to build a trailhead in Mitchell.
“With a successful campaign for this Borden public restroom as well as the funds for the Mitchell trailhead, we’re going to be able to wrap up our Phase 1 construction program at 110% of success,” said Jeff Quyle, president and CEO of Radius Indiana. “Building the trail itself is the first, highest priority, but building these amenities like restrooms, parking, seating, etc., are critical to having the world class amenity that our southern Indiana communities deserve.”
When completed, the Monon South Trail will span about 60 miles.
Borden’s Patronicity campaign remains open to donations through March 10.