Fundraising
We still have ~$100,000 to raise to bring all the components of Sargent Road Nature Park to life. You can learn more about the various on-going efforts and their status below.
Parking + Entry: Sargent Road Nature Park will provide a small, low-impact, parking area to accomodate visitors. Context Design is leading the design, engineering and permitting for the entry way and parking lot improvement phase of this project.
Update (9/15/2023): The drainage bioswale is currently under construction with parking lot and entry construction to follow later this month and into October.
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Update (7/28/2023): After a long 6 month wait, we finally received our permits to begin breaking ground on entry and parking improvements at SRNP. Williams Creek Management has mobilized equipment on-site and construction is underway!
Update (2/06/2023): Parking and entry designs and permit packages were finalized and submitted to the City of Indianapolis in January 2023. Permitting review can take 6-8 weeks. Upon permitting approval, a contractor will be selected for the installation of the parking, entry and bioswale water retention area.
Site Plan + Natural Resources Inventory + Permitting: The site plan and natural resources inventory will help guide the final trail placement, construction and permitting necessary to fulfil our vision of connecting people to nature at Sargent Road Nature Park.
Update (2/06/2023): V3 Companies was contracted in mid-2022 to begin the natural resources inventory (including wetland delineations), site plan and nature trail permitting. Studies have concluded and a final site plan has been submitted to the City of Indianapolis, in coordination with the entry/parking lot permit package from Context Design. Permit approvals are pending and once approved, will conclude this project phase with V3.
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-Trail routes are currently being marked and prepped for construction.
Nature Trail Construction: The upland portion of the nature trail will be improved gravel with the floodplain portion of the trail remaining natural surface, minimizing environmental impact and diversifying trail accomodations and experiences.
Update (9/15/2023): Construction of the improved portion of the nature trail is nearly complete with a few finishing touches remaining.
Update (7/28/2023): After a long 6 month wait, we finally received our permits to begin breaking ground on nature trail improvements at SRNP. Williams Creek Management has mobilized equipment on-site and trail construction is underway!
Update (2/06/2023): Trail construction to begin as soon as permitting is approved. Permitting with the City of Indianapolis was submitted in January 2023 and is currently under review which can take 6-8 weeks. Williams Creek Management will be performing the improved trail construction.
Nature Education/Art: SRNP will have a strong emphasis on both nature education and art. Educational signage will adorn the nature trail and be updated frequently to provide continual educational opportunities as well as beautiful local art.
Update (9/15/2023): Join us for a Gallery Night to unveil commissioned artwork for Sargent Road Nature Park on 9/16 at the Lantern Road Gallery! More info and rsvp here: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/melbryarts-gallery-night-benefiting-sargent-road-nature-park-tickets-706316560847?aff=oddtdtcreator
Update (7/31/2023): Melissa has completed three beautiful custom habitat pieces for SRNP and we're in love! Educational signage is taking shape using Melissa's commissioned pieces and nature collection and we can't wait to show you.
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Update (2/06/2023): MCC is very excited to announce a partnership with Melissa Bryant, a talented colored-pencil artist focused on showcasing the many amazing plant, animal and fungi species of the Midwest. Melissa (melbry//arts) is an Indianapolis resident and is looking forward to joining our mission of nature education at Sargent Road Nature Park. MCC will utilize both existing pieces from the melbry//arts collection as well as several custom commissioned art installations. We can't wait to show you!
Artful Design: Providing design for site identity, physical signage creation, furniture concepts and additional brand components.
Update (7/31/23): We are working with Lars and Timber Design to complete our first round of educational signage for SRNP, utilizing these design elements and the nature artwork of Melissa Bryant. We can't wait to share some sneak peeks soon!
Update (2/06/2023): Lars Lawson and Timber Design company, creator of our award-winning SRNP branding package, have continued their partnership with the nature park creation. Our brand package is complete, infrastructure concepts are being brought to life at our fabricator and site signage is under development. This design element will soon tie all the components of this beautiful new nature park together.
Nature Park Furnishings: An early pledge to incorporate artful and locally crafted furnishings to complement the natural environment is underway. These pieces will also be part of our donor recognition package.
Update (7/31/2023): Due to the delay in construction permitting, we have postponed the commissioning of furnishing to ensure we have the necessary funds available to complete the construction phase. A soon as we have completed construction or have been able to achieve our Phase 1 fundraising goal, we will move forward with these finishing touches.
Update (2/06/2023): The talented team of designers, carpenters and welders at Solid State and Bohall Design and Fabrication are busy at work bringing our vision for nature park furnishings to life. These pieces will be long-lasting, functional, environmentally conscious and beautiful. Final designs are in the works and fabrication on the initial set of furnishings (benches, educational signage, trailhead kiosks, etc) will be underway soon!