$5M Lilly grant will improve Creitz, gorge

Wayne County Foundation successfully applied for a total of $5 million from Lilly Endowment Inc. to improve two outdoor recreation spaces.

LEI awarded 30 grants for quality of life improvement projects across the state.

Community foundations and their partners were eligible for funding through LEI’s eighth phase of its Giving Indiana Funds for Tomorrow initiative, more widely known as GIFT VIII.

Later this year, residents can expect to see site work, demolition and construction in both locations.

Cambridge City is adding a performance venue at Creitz Park, a couple blocks north of its downtown.

With help from the grant, installation of a riverwalk, bouldering garden and nature play area is to make Richmond’s Whitewater Gorge more welcoming to residents and visitors, and provide health and wellness benefits from up-close views or access to water, said Denise Retz, Richmond parks superintendent.

WCF chose to apply for those two local projects after reviewing community comprehensive plans and gathering feedback from stakeholders and residents across the county.

“The impact that this will have on our county will be felt for generations,” said Acacia St. John, Forward Wayne County’s program director, in a news release. “These projects were carefully selected so that residents from all ages and abilities would have access to the sites, opportunity to participate in programming, and enjoyment for themselves and their families all year-round.”

WCF staff, through Forward Wayne County, say they’ll work closely with Richmond’s Parks and Recreation Department and Cambridge City town officials to complete these projects. They’ll also collaborate with local nonprofit arts and culture organizations to activate the spaces.

Gorge Activation

Although the exact amounts each community is receiving from LEI haven’t been finalized, Richmond’s share will go toward gorge work that’s expected to cost approximately $4.5 million.

The riverwalk will cost about $2.5 million, plus $1.5 million for a bouldering garden and $600,000 for a nature play area.

“This will truly enhance what we have to offer in the heart of Richmond and become the destination we want to be,” Retz said.

Retz said she’s very thankful that WCF staff sought out the grant for the projects, and that this funding will take the gorge improvements “to the next level.”

Retz said they are pursuing more funding opportunities as the parks staff want to leverage those dollars.

At its December meeting, Richmond’s Parks and Recreation Department board opened bids for the first phase of the Gorge Activation Plan for review. Selections are expected this month.

In the initial phase, the trailhead at Test Road is being expanded and erosion control measures will be implemented. A canoe and kayak launch and fishing pier/observation deck will be “absolutely gorgeous,” Retz said. That work is being funded by Indiana Department of Natural Resources and Richmond Redevelopment Commission.

Retz said some river areas will be deeper and other areas more shallow, especially at different times of year, like other water recreation areas. She’s hopeful that businesses can be recruited to offer kayaks and canoes and provide advice for best usage of the area.

Those phases also connect with Earlham College and Lilly Endowment’s $25 million College and Community Collaboration Initiative to improve Richmond’s downtown and gorge. An additional commitment of $2.5 million is planned from those funds to add treehouse shelters, a Starr Gennett amphitheater and Starr Gennett event lawn.

Retz said some residents question why these grants can’t be used to improve Glen Miller Park. However, the LEI funds are restricted to the gorge area. Funds from the parks budget — and any additional donations designated for Glen Miller — can go toward that park’s needs, which haven’t been forgotten, she said.

Overall, nearly $10 million has been secured to improve the gorge, Retz said.

Creitz Park

Cambridge City had already committed to adding a pavilion and concrete work, a couple parking spaces and sidewalk along the west side of the fire station, and a seating area along the east end.

Council president Jim McLane said the town’s previously committed contribution toward the performance venue, which is tied to a community development block grant from Indiana’s Office of Rural and Community Affairs, can’t be reduced.

Even after rebidding, bids for the full Creitz Park design were higher than what the town and OCRA could contribute. Thus, Cambridge City officials trimmed down some wish list items such as landscaping, and substituted grass seed instead of sod.

Now, McLane said the Lilly grant will supply gap funding needed to add those items back in and complete Cambridge City’s desired project.

Initial construction was to be substantially complete by May 15, McLane said, but that deadline is expected to be extended as the project grows.

Any additions and/or changes will start with the town’s park committee and then be approved by town council, McLane said.

Cambridge City councilor Debbie McGinley, who leads the park committee, said she’s very glad that the town benefits from the Lilly grant.

“The outdoor stage area will be a positive long-term change for Cambridge City, bringing people in from all around,” McGinley said. “Grants like these can only strengthen small communities. Come visit Cambridge City and check out our park, our downtown and of course our performance venue and see for yourself the changes we are making to Cambridge City.”

Funding at a glance

Retz said WCF did a lot of “boots on the ground work” to attend several community events and talk with community members to make sure they supported seeking the funds for Creitz Park and the gorge. She appreciates the leadership role that WCF staff took to seek LEI funds.

Rebecca Gilliam, WCF executive director, said her staff can’t begin to explain how grateful they are to LEI for the grant.

“Their vision for community development through community foundations across Indiana is unparalleled,” Gilliam said in the release. “We know that they received many great proposals. Being selected is an honor and a testament to our community’s engagement throughout the process.”

WCF is marking its 45th anniversary, and its staff say they were excited to close out the celebration year with LEI’s “generous and impactful gift.”

J.K. Lilly Sr. and his sons Eli and J.K. Jr. started the Indianapolis-based private foundation in 1937 through gifts of stock in their pharmaceutical business, Eli Lilly and Co. It supports community development, education and religion, especially in Indiana.