After more than 10 years of planning, fundraising, anticipation, construction and a bit of controversy, the Indianapolis Cultural Trail: A Legacy of Gene and Marilyn Glick is now complete.
The trail is an eight-mile urban bike and pedestrian path that connects neighborhoods, the city’s five Cultural Districts and entertainment amenities, and serves as the downtown hub for the entire Central Indiana greenway system.
“It makes Indianapolis more connected – more walkable and bikable. It’s also a beautiful connection along the way with all the landscaping and art along the trail to make it a beautiful journey,” said Kären Haley, executive director of Indianapolis Cultural Trail Inc. “It’s an urban version of the Monon.”
To celebrate it’s culmination, there will be an official grand opening of the Indianapolis Cultural Trail with a ribbon cutting and an event called “Get Down On It” on May 11. There will also be more than 75 programs and activities planned along the trail for the whole family.
The Madame Walker Theatre is also part of the special programming for the day. The Indiana Avenue Street Festival will be May 11 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the intersection of Indiana Avenue and St. Clair Street. Throughout the day there will be live entertainment, a kids zone, which features the Pacers Fan Van and an obstacle course bounce house, a history walk led hourly by Thomas Ridley and lots of food.
“Although the Walker is not right on the trail, we still wanted to be involved to bring some attention to the Indiana Avenue Cultural District,” said Malina Jeffers, director of marketing and community engagement for the Madame Walker Theatre Center. “We’ve been trying to bring some energy back to the area so we’re excited about the access the trail will bring.”
The Indianapolis Urban League and Kurt Vonnegut Library collaborated with the Walker to present the event.
The Indianapolis Cultural Trail: A Legacy of Gene and Marilyn Glick is the vision of Brian Payne, president and CEO of Central Indiana Community Foundation. He’s spent a lot of time on the Monon and wanted to bring the concept downtown and expand on the development of not only a trail, but downtown Indianapolis.
No tax money was spent creating the pathway. The trail is made possible by federal grants and a $26 million public and private collaboration led by Central Indiana Community Foundation, the City of Indianapolis and several not-for-profit organizations.
Portions of downtown Indianapolis, such as existing streets and sidewalks, had to be altered in order to make the trail possible.
Lori Miser, director of public works for the City of Indianapolis said that because much of the trail is in the public right of way, the city had to conduct multiple analysis and traffic impact studies to make sure downtown Indianapolis streets could accommodate the trail and not worsen traffic congestion. They discovered there were parts of downtown with wide streets, such as Washington and Alabama streets, where it was feasible to remove a lane of traffic.
“This is actually an enhancement and an incredible asset to the city,” said Miser. “We’re thrilled that it’s done because it’s going to add a significant amount of economic development to our community. The money raised to do this project, almost a third of that was used to improve city infrastructure, so think sewers, utilities and curbs. We benefited greatly from this.”
Haley said there is no separate police presence for the trail, but added that the trail did add much-needed lighting along many downtown streets and that there is already a significant Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department presence in the cultural districts.
From the beginning, the Indianapolis Cultural Trail was planned as a place for public art in addition to its lush greenery and biking and walking ways. There was $2 million in private funding allocated for the public art.
Along the trail stands eight permanent art pieces. Two methods were chosen to select the pieces: an open call to Hoosier artists followed by a short list of national and international artists created by a curatorial advisory committee comprised of local art experts. Accepted artists were put under contract to erect a piece.
Mindy Taylor Ross, owner of Art Strategies and curator and public art coordinator for the Indianapolis Cultural Trail said one of the things that makes the pieces special is that each one was specifically designed for its location.
“I think ‘Ann Dancing’ by Julian Opie has become a landmark. It relates so well to the context and sight, which is right outside Old Point Tavern. I also think ‘Care/Don’t Care’ by Jamie Pawlus is also special. It doesn’t hit you over the head, but it invites interaction,” said Ross. “’Chatham Passage’ by Sean Derry is also cool because it’s a beautifully designed vault in an alley and as you walk by, you smell the scent of roses where one might typically expect to smell trash.”
Many may remember a controversial piece that was to appear on the trail near the City-County Building titled “E Pluribus Unum” which was an updated interpretation of a slave that is featured on the Soldiers and Sailors Circle Monument downtown.
The public strongly objected to the piece. According to Dave Lawrence, president and CEO of the Indianapolis Arts Council, a call out for artists to submit proposals for a new piece has gone out. At Recorder press time, no artists or artwork has been selected.
“I appreciate the trail for even attempting to install art along the way. We should enjoy the art that is there and applaud them for not just making it a bike trail. It’s also a reminder of our health and fitness and an opportunity to stay active in a safe, interesting and well lit trail,” said Jeffers.
Although the trail is finished, Haley said the May 11 events will really set the standard for what’s to come. She hopes that everyone from the downtown worker who wants to use the path to walk to a restaurant for lunchtime or the resident who wants another outdoor exercise option, will use and enjoy the pathway.
“We’re going to make sure people continue to use and enjoy the trail for years to come,” said Haley.
For more information, call (317) 631-6542 ext. 139 or visit Indyculturaltrail.org. For a complete list of grand opening events, visit Indyculturaltrail.org/getdownonit.
