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Indianapolis Cultural Trail

Introduction

Text-to-speech Audio

Built between the spring of 2007 and the spring of 2013, the Indianapolis Cultural Trail is an eight-mile long pedestrian and bike path in downtown Indianapolis, and connects to six cultural districts in the area. Along the way are cultural, historical, and entertainment destinations, as well as greenways and public art created specifically for the trail. Managed by a nonprofit organization, the trail offers bicycle tours, a bikeshare, and wheelchair and stroller routes [1].

Images

  • Indianapolis Cultural Trail (image from Active Indy Tours)
  • Prairie Modules by M12 Studio (image from Afar)
  • Glick Peace Walk (image from Rundell Ernstberger Associates)
  • Along the trail (image from Indianapolis Cultural Trail)
  • Looking Through Windows sculpture by Michael Kuschnir (image from Herron School of Art and Design)
  • Downtown Indianapolis along the trail (image from WFYI.org)
  • Swarm Street section designed by Vito Acconci (image from Indianapolis Monthly)

Backstory and Context

Text-to-speech Audio

Built between the spring of 2007 and the spring of 2013, the Indianapolis Cultural Trail is an eight-mile long pedestrian and bike path in downtown Indianapolis, and connects to six cultural districts in the area. Along the way are cultural, historical, and entertainment destinations, as well as greenways and public art created specifically for the trail. Managed by a nonprofit organization, the trail offers bicycle tours, a bikeshare, and wheelchair and stroller routes [1].

Fundraising for the trail began in 2001, and the local architectural firm of Rundell Ernstberger Associates completed a design in 2005. With funding from Eugene and Marilyn Glick and the U.S. Department of Transportation, the trail was completed in May of 2013. The trail connects to Fountain Square, Indiana and Mass Avenues, the Canal and White River State Park, the Wholesale District, and the Monon Trail, which, in turn, connects to Broad Ripple Village and Carmel. Two and a half hour bicycle tours are available through the trail headquarters, as are bikes for rent. Public art projects featured along the Indianapolis Cultural Trail include "Ann Dancing" by Julia Opie; "Looking Through Windows" by Michael Kuschnir; "Care/Don't Care" by Jame Pawlus; Poet's Place, honoring the late Trail supporter Jim Shackleford; "Talking Wall" by Bernard Williams; "Moving Forward" by Donna Sink; "Chatam Passage" by Sean Derry; the Glick Peace Walk; "Prairie Modules 1 & 2" by M12; and "Swarm Street" by Acconci Studios [1].

Sources

1. Indianapolis Cultural Trail. Official website. Accessed July 7, 2016. http://indyculturaltrail.org/.

Additional Information