Fundraising
We still have ~$40,000 to raise in early 2023 to help us 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 (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.
-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 (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 (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 (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 (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!