Indianapolis Cultural Trail, Inc. and the Indianapolis Colts are proud to announce a $100,000 gift from the Colts to support the ongoing expansion of the Indianapolis Cultural Trail: A Legacy of Gene and Marilyn Glick along South Street, which is slated to open later this fall. This vital contribution will help bring to life the newest segment of the Cultural Trail, reinforcing the Colts' dedication to fostering a vibrant, safe, and welcoming downtown for both residents and the millions of visitors who come to Indianapolis each year.
"The Indianapolis Cultural Trail has always been a testament to what can be achieved when public, private, and philanthropic partners come together with a shared vision," said Kären Haley, Executive Director of the Indianapolis Cultural Trail, Inc. "This expansion would not be possible without the collaborative and philanthropic support from organizations like the Indianapolis Colts, whose support underscores the importance of creating accessible, inclusive spaces that enhance the quality of life in our community."
"The Cultural Trail plays a crucial role in making Indianapolis a more enjoyable, memorable and active place for everyone who lives or visits downtown, especially near our home at Lucas Oil Stadium," said Colts Vice Chair & Owner Kalen Jackson. "By contributing to this South Street expansion, we hope to create a safer, more welcoming environment for years to come for our community and visitors alike."
The South Street addition to the Cultural Trail will create a southern loop and will seamlessly connect the Virginia Ave corridor, the near Southside neighborhoods and Stadium Village community to the heart of downtown Indianapolis. The approximately 0.6-mile segment will extend from New Jersey Street to Capitol Avenue, significantly improving access to key downtown landmarks, including Lucas Oil Stadium and the Indiana Convention Center as well as the White River expansion of the Cultural Trail, which is currently in design and will provide a connection to the west side of the White River.
The additional segment along South Street will add to the Indiana Avenue and 10th Street expansion that opened earlier this year in June. The total expansion adds approximately two miles to the linear park, enhancing connectivity between cultural districts and neighborhoods and serving as the downtown hub for the city's greenway network. This comprehensive expansion also includes funding for the Cultural Trail's maintenance endowment to ensure sustainable upkeep and support for enhancing the Cultural Trail's public art program.
In addition to improving connectivity, the new segments of the Cultural Trail incorporate an impressive array of plantings, including 115 trees, 1,041 shrubs, 1,556 ornamental grasses and 17,154 perennials, approximately 2,244 of which are installed in the stormwater plant beds.
The total square footage of new plant beds across all expansion areas is:
- 12,052 sq ft on South Street
- 13,406 sq ft on Indiana Avenue
- 16,774 sq ft on 10th Street
- 42,232 sq ft in total
Activities surrounding the official opening of the South Street expansion will be announced in the coming weeks. Details for an official ribbon cutting will be shared soon.
Lead investors in the Cultural Trail expansion include Lilly Endowment Inc., Elevance Health Foundation, Lilly Foundation, the City of Indianapolis and the Indianapolis Colts. To stay informed about the construction progress, visit https://indyculturaltrail.org/expansion to sign up for biweekly updates and follow along on social media @INCulturalTrail or call 317-653-1948.
