The Cultural Trail: A cultural connection to the great outdoors
 In his State of the City address, Mayor Peterson made an important observation: "Economic development isn’t just about tax incentives and construction projects. Quality of life and image are as important." He added that arts and cultural venues are important to attracting and retaining creative people. Our progress in developing cultural amenities and a dynamic downtown has led to a high quality of life. But our success hasn’t translated into a well-understood image nationally. We need to do something big, bold, and unique to make our city come alive in the consciousness of our countrymen.
As greenway trails continue to rise in importance as defining cool cities, we can be at the forefront. The Cultural Trail will ensure our place on the cutting edge. The Cultural Trail, a beautifully designed downtown greenway trail, began as an idea to connect cultural amenities. We soon discovered it could be a focal point for public art and what Peterson described as "the hub for our entire world-class greenways system."
The Cultural Trail, which will feature a community bike program and a shuttle bus extending to The Children’s Museum of Indianapolis and the Indianapolis Museum of Art, is already creating national buzz among city planners, urban advocates, and trail enthusiasts. But the Cultural Trail would be just the next big step.
The benefits of the Cultural Trail and a bold greenway trail vision could be truly transformative. It would be a major tool against obesity by inspiring more of our residents to walk, bike, and skate. It would help sell those hundreds of new condos being developed, as the Trail will make downtown an even more dynamic place to live. It will show our community how arts and culture can be meaningful to everyday life.
Peterson said it well in his State of the City address: "The Cultural Trail could be a national landmark that would further distinguish Indianapolis in a powerful way."
The Indianapolis Foundation awarded $75,000 in 2003 for the initial planning of the Cultural Trail. For more information about the Cultural Trail, call 317.634.2423 or read more about the cultural trail on CICF’s Web site. Excerpts taken from the article "First: amateur sports; now: greenways" by CICF and The Indianapolis Foundation President, Brian Payne, which appeared in the Indianapolis Business Journal March 15-21, 2004. Brian is also a member of the city’s Cultural Development Commission.
|
