The Details That Make a Difference: Seven Grants Awarded to Parks and Trails in Hendricks County
It’s easy to take our favorite outdoor spaces for granted.
A smooth trail. A safe crossing. A place to sit. A program or activity that brings families out on a weeknight.
The reality is, those amenities didn’t just happen. They were built, improved, and supported over time.
On Thursday, May 7th at Washington Township Park, the Parks Foundation of Hendricks County brought these details into focus, awarding $64,600 in grants to seven projects that will strengthen how people experience parks and trails across the county.
Funded through the Gary Emsweller Parks & Trails Fund—named for one of the Foundation’s founding board members—these projects showcase a commitment to keeping parks usable, welcoming, and relevant for the people who rely on them.
This year’s grants support:
Avon Parks & Recreation — Improving trail safety and wayfinding at Blue Heron Park
B&O Trail Association — Designing a safe crossing to expand trail access westward
Brownsburg Parks & Recreation — Adding bike-friendly amenities at the B&O Trail Green Street Trailhead
Hendricks County Parks & Recreation — Creating a birding and reflection space at McCloud Nature Park
Pittsboro Parks Department — Building basketball courts at Scott Park
Town of Plainfield — Enhancing accessibility and comfort at Echo Hollow Nature Park
Washington Township Parks & Recreation — Launching the Wild World of Nature educational series
Each project addresses a different need, but together, they tell a larger story about how parks serve a growing and changing community.
In Avon, improved wayfinding and safety features will help trail users navigate more confidently and ensure faster response times in emergencies. Along the B&O Trail, early design work for a safe crossing is a critical step toward expanding access in an area of the county with limited park infrastructure. In Brownsburg, additions like bike repair stations and racks remove small but real barriers, making it easier for cyclists to stay out longer and come back more often.
Other projects focus on how people gather and connect. New basketball courts in Pittsboro will create space for recreation and community activity, while improvements at Echo Hollow Nature Park in Plainfield will make the space more comfortable and accessible for visitors of all ages and abilities. At McCloud Nature Park, a new birding and reflection area will offer a quieter way to experience the outdoors, whether in person or through a live-streamed view.
And in Washington Township, the Wild World of Nature series will bring hands-on, educational programming to residents across the county, connecting people to the natural world in ways that go beyond the trail.
Small improvements change behavior. They make it easier for someone to take a walk after work, bring their kids to a program, try a new trail, or simply feel more comfortable spending time outside. Over time, those moments add up to healthier routines, stronger connections, and a deeper sense of community.
That’s the role the Parks Foundation of Hendricks County continues to play: investing in the details that make parks work better for everyone.
Because when parks work well, people show up. And when people show up, communities grow stronger.