The Hendricks County Bicentennial Steering Committee made it their mission in 2024 to leave their generation's mark as they celebrated the county's 200-year anniversary.
To make it a year-long celebration, they encouraged local businesses, civic groups, event planners and locals in the Indianapolis suburb to plan and submit events and projects celebrating the county's history.
But the 12-member committee also wanted to come up with a project that would withstand the test of time and leave a legacy for future generations.
Hendricks County Bicentennial Tree Trail
The steering committee partnered with the Hendricks County Parks Department and The Parks Foundation of Hendricks County to find a home for the Bicentennial Tree Trail at W.S. Gibbs Memorial Park. The Bicentennial Steering Committee landed on the project after talking with representatives from the Indiana Department of Natural Resources (IDNR) who indicated a need for a park showcasing trees native to Indiana.
It will be one of only two such trails in Indiana featuring virtually every tree native to Indiana in one place with signage identifying every tree. The only other trail of its kind in the state is the Indiana Veterans Memorial Mile in Terre Haute.
Tree Trail Amenities
The Tree Trail will take over 8+ acres of land in the park. Park officials will do most of the work including designing the 200-shaped crushed gravel path that will meander through the trees, install benches funded by corporate sponsors, create and install all the signage and plant and maintain all the trees.
They plan to plant three of every species and the Bicentennial Steering Committee will leave money behind to be used to replace trees and continue the trail’s maintenance for years to come. Construction of the trail will occur in 2025 and beyond and will take many years before the trail and the trees reach full maturity.
In addition to the obvious outdoor recreation benefits, the steering committee loved that this would give Central Indiana elementary school students one location to complete their leaf projects with so many trees in one place and signage identifying them.
Tree Trail Gateway
Visit Hendricks County, one of the founding members of the Bicentennial Steering Committee, plans to invest in a gateway for the trail with design and construction still to be determined.
They feel the project benefits quality of place as a built asset that will enhance the unique experiences of Hendricks County as well as enhancing quality of life for all residents.
Funding & Sponsorships
The Hendricks County Community Foundation, also a founding member of the steering committee and sponsor for the trail and four additional sponsors: Hendricks Power Cooperative, IU Health, North Salem State Bank and Tim and Bonnita Whicker have already committed to buying benches along the trail to help pay for the project.
Additional sponsorships remain available and include having the business name etched on one of the benches within the Tree Trail, among other perks. Sponsorships are so critical to purchase the necessary trees and complete all the work on this massive project.
