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City announces White River State Park expansion will expand park by 15 acres

Pabio October 30, 2024

INDIANAPOLIS — White River State Park is growing.

On Tuesday, Governor Holcomb joined the Park Development Commission and community leaders for a groundbreaking ceremony for a 15-acre expansion of the park.

This expansion will be the largest addition to the park since its creation in the early 1980s. This project is supported by a $30 million grant from Lilly Endowment Inc.

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The project will preserve what remains of the GM Indianapolis stamping plant, while taking advantage of the site’s proximity to the White River and Valley neighborhood, and also taking advantage of the Indianapolis skyline, according to a press release.

“White River State Park is a jewel of our state and it will get even better with this latest strategic investment,” said Governor Holcomb. “We are launching a new era for the park while simultaneously preserving an important icon of our state’s industrial and manufacturing heritage.” The support of the Lilly Endowment once again makes a project that has been years in the making a modern reality and we are deeply grateful for their support. Once completed, this addition to White River State Park will serve as a glorious gateway to a vibrant innovation district complemented by this important community asset for surrounding residents and visitors to enjoy.

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According to a press release, the majority of the Lilly Endowment grant will be used to transform the GM Stamping plant into an event and community center, which will be used year-round.

The park expansion will include other amenities, including:

an extended walking path
bench swings
a piece of water
a river theater designed for both small events and everyday use
The new Henry Street Bridge will bring the Indianapolis Cultural Trail into the park extension and provide connectivity to the east side of the river.