Residents debate proposal allowing golf carts on parts of the Monon Trail in Hamilton County

WESTFIELD, Ind. — A proposal under consideration by the Westfield City Council could soon allow golf carts on some of the city’s named trails — including a portion of the Monon Trail — in a move that has sparked mixed reactions from local residents.

The ordinance would permit golf carts on the Asa Bales Trail, the Natalie Wheeler Trail, the remainder of the Midland Trace Trail and a segment of the Monon from the Chatham Hills neighborhood off 199th Street to State Road 32. Under the plan, golf carts would share the trail with pedestrians and cyclists, raising safety concerns among some community members.

“You know, I don’t think I like that,” one Hamilton County resident said. “Keep them in the neighborhoods but not on the Monon. They are busy enough already.”

Others, like Perry Paquette, support the idea. “I guess I’d be for it. It would allow us that have golf carts here to go more places in the city and utilize more of the restaurants and make it easier back and forth and what not,” he said.

Eric Prescott, another Hamilton County resident, acknowledged both sides of the debate.

“I think it might help us be a little more family-friendly,” Prescott said. “There’s pros and cons on both sides.”

The proposed ordinance maintains that golf carts would continue to be permitted on streets with speed limits of 25 mph or lower. On trails, golf carts would be restricted to a speed limit of 15 mph and would not be allowed on concrete sidewalks.

“Generally, I think it’s great that Westfield is considering allowing golf carts throughout the city,” said Westfield resident Joe Scimia. “My only concern is I would hate to see the carts interfere with the activity on the actual trails.”

The issue drew a range of public comments at Monday night’s city council meeting, with speakers both for and against the proposal. That same sentiment was echoed by residents FOX59/CBS4 spoke to on Thursday.

“Golf carts are one more thing that can cause an accident,” another resident warned.

Some trail users expressed concern over trail space. 

“I’m not too big on it only because I think it would take up a lot of space on the trail, especially biking up and down. You have to go around people anyway, and having to go around golf carts seems like they’d get squeezed,” said Hamilton County resident Tony Kurcz.

Despite differing opinions, most residents agreed on one key point: safety should come first.

“I assume they won’t do it unless they fully investigate whether it’s safe or not,” Scimia said.

“As long as everybody watched out for one another and just practices general safety, and sharing the roadway amongst each other, I have no issue with it,” added Prescott.

The city council is expected to discuss the proposal further and could vote on it during its next meeting on May 27.