Indianapolis marked a step forward with the groundbreaking of the $6.8 million MLK Gateway Project at Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Park.
Mayor Joe Hogsett, City-County Council President Vop Osili, Indy Parks Director Phyllis Boyd and other community leaders celebrated the occasion, which coincided with the 57th anniversary of Robert Kennedy’s powerful speech in Indianapolis following Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s assassination.
The project will elevate the southern portion of the park with a new plaza, walkways, landscaping and enhancements to the existing Landmark for Peace memorial. It also includes investments in lighting and security cameras. Construction is expected to be completed in 2026.
“The reimagined park and expanded Landmark for Peace monument will create an unforgettable experience for all Indy residents and visitors,” Hogsett said.
The Landmark for Peace memorial, first dedicated in 1995, honors the intertwined legacies of King and Kennedy, whose leadership in the fight for civil rights left a mark on the nation. The park will feature additional information about their contributions and the broader civil rights movement.
“This project will deepen the park’s historical significance, ensuring that future generations can gather here to reflect, learn and be inspired,” Osili said.
The MLK Gateway Project is part of a $140 million investment in Indy Parks, including an $80 million grant from Lilly Endowment. Boyd called the initiative a “gamechanger” for one of the city’s most historic parks.
The park will remain open throughout construction, with access restricted only around the Landmark for Peace monument.
For more details on the MLK Gateway Project and park history, visit kennedykingindy.org.
Contact Health & Environmental Reporter Hanna Rauworth at 317-762-7854 or follow her on Instagram at @hanna.rauworth.
Hanna Rauworth is the Health & Environmental Reporter for the Indianapolis Recorder Newspaper, where she covers topics at the intersection of public health, environmental issues, and community impact. With a commitment to storytelling that informs and empowers, she strives to highlight the challenges and solutions shaping the well-being of Indianapolis residents.
