Visit Hendricks County, Parks Foundation Partner to Expand Grant Program to Parks, Trails

- FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE -

Contact: Josh Duke Josh@VisitHendricksCounty.com

DANVILLE, IN (Aug. 11, 2026) – Visit Hendricks County is partnering with The Parks Foundation of Hendricks County to create additional funding opportunities for public parks, trails and outdoor recreation through a recently launched grant program.

The partnership creates a dedicated parks and trails funding component within The PLACES Initiative, allowing eligible projects to be considered through The Parks Foundation of Hendricks County's established annual spring grant program.

Announced earlier this month, The PLACES (Powering Local Authentic Community Experiences & Spaces) Initiative is Visit Hendricks County's new grant program designed to invest in projects that strengthen Hendricks County's quality of place while enhancing experiences for both residents and visitors. By partnering with the Parks Foundation, Visit Hendricks County will leverage the organization's expertise and longstanding relationships with local park systems to maximize the impact of PLACES funding for outdoor recreation projects.

"Our research tells us that residents want more opportunities to enjoy their free time right here in Hendricks County, and outdoor recreation is one of their top three interests,” said Jaime Bohler Smith, Executive Director/CEO of Visit Hendricks County. “Investing in parks, trails and outdoor amenities enhances quality of life for our residents while also creating a stronger, more appealing visitor experience. That is exactly the kind of community-first impact The PLACES Initiative is designed to support.”

Funding from the program will be added to the Parks Foundation's annual grant cycle, increasing the resources available for projects that develop parks, expand trail networks, enhance accessibility and improve outdoor spaces across Hendricks County.

"We're thrilled to partner with Visit Hendricks County to create even more opportunities to invest in the parks and trails that are so important to our community," said Katy Cummings, Executive Director of The Parks Foundation of Hendricks County. "By combining our shared commitment to enhancing outdoor spaces, we can help ensure they're welcoming, accessible and enjoyable for residents and visitors for generations to come."

Organizations seeking funding for public parks and trail-related projects through The PLACES Initiative will be directed to apply through The Parks Foundation of Hendricks County's grant process. Additional information about grant eligibility and application timelines will be shared as the spring grant cycle approaches.