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Carmel Parks details White River Greenway extensions, Hazel Landing bridge and new northwest park
Summary
Carmel Clay Parks and Recreation reported plans to extend the White River Greenway to 140th Street with state and IEDC grant support, complete a pedestrian bridge at Hazel Landing connecting to Fishers, and build Bear Creek Park on the city’s northwest side; the department also shared usage and accreditation statistics.
Carmel Clay Parks and Recreation presented an update on major projects including a north extension of the White River Greenway to 140th Street, a pedestrian bridge at Hazel Landing that will link to Fishers, and a new 27‑acre Bear Creek Park on the city’s northwest side.
Director Michael Klitzing said the park system manages roughly 700 acres and 16 parks under Carmel Clay Parks and Recreation; about 80% of that acreage is maintained in a natural state. Klitzing said counters estimated more than 5.7 million park visits in 2024 and that the system achieved a 98% “excellent or good” satisfaction rating in a professionally administered survey.
Klitzing described a north extension of the White River Greenway that will reach 140th Street, funded in part by a $4.0 million REDI grant awarded by the Indiana Economic Development Corporation and through easements from Citizens Energy Group. He said the city is also pursuing Indiana Department of Natural Resources funding to begin a south extension segment and that work is ongoing to secure grant dollars for incremental construction.
Klitzing also said the Hazel Landing pedestrian bridge is constructed but not yet open and will connect Carmel’s Hazel Landing Park and disc‑golf area to Fishers Heritage Park and the broader corridor of connected trails across 106th/116th. He said partners including Clay Township, Hamilton County Park Board, Delaware Township and the City of Fishers contributed to the bridge funding.
The department is advancing design for Bear Creek Park (27 acres at 140th and Shelbourne Grove) and anticipates roughly $6.2 million from the city plus impact fees to fund an initial phase. Klitzing said the park will emphasize elevated loop trails with overlooks and naturalized prairie and riparian areas.
Klitzing highlighted the parks department’s national accreditations, a two‑time National Gold Medal recognition and an 84% operational cost recovery ratio for an operating budget of roughly $20 million, noting the department relies heavily on user fees for operations.
Klitzing invited volunteers and sponsors for stewardship and maintenance programs and said the parks team will continue to share project timelines and outreach materials as planning advances.
