DANVILLE, IN (April 25, 2025) – The Hendricks County Bicentennial’s signature legacy project kicked off today, on Arbor Day, as volunteers helped the Hendricks County Parks Department plant the first of more than 200 trees.
Local leaders gathered at W.S. Gibbs Memorial Park in Danville, Indiana, to celebrate and raise awareness that more funding is needed for the Hendricks County Bicentennial Tree Trail. A large contingent of volunteers from Envita Solutions helped park officials plant trees representing about 70 different species native to Indiana.
“After months of planning, searching and ordering all the trees needed for this massive project, we are excited this day has finally arrived,” said Ryan Lemley, Hendricks County Parks Superintendent. “We desire to create a prosperous legacy project for W.S. Gibbs Memorial Park and our community.”
The Hendricks County Bicentennial Steering Committee partnered with the Hendricks County Parks Department and The Parks Foundation of Hendricks County to develop the Bicentennial Tree Trail. The idea surfaced last year after the Indiana Department of Natural Resources (IDNR) indicated a need for a park showcasing trees native to Indiana.
The Tree Trail will take over 7 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 and plant and maintain all the trees. One of only two of its kind in Indiana, the Tree Trail will include signage identifying every tree species.
Parks officials plan to plant three of every species, and hope to have enough funding leftover to replace trees and continue the trail’s maintenance for years to come. While construction of the trail begins now and will likely be completed by this fall, it will take many years to reach full maturity.
Visit Hendricks County (VHC), a founding member of the Bicentennial Steering Committee, plans to invest in a gateway for the trail with design and construction to be determined.
Six additional sponsors: Hendricks County Community Foundation (another founding member of the steering committee), Hendricks Power Cooperative, IU Health, North Salem State Bank, Tim and Bonnita Whicker and an anonymous local family have already committed to corporate sponsorships. The sponsorship includes buying benches along the trail to help pay for the project. The Parks Department will etch each sponsor’s name on a bench within the Tree Trail, among other perks. Three additional $10,000 corporate sponsorships are still needed to complete the project.
The Parks Foundation of Hendricks County also needs more tree donations of $250. The smaller contributions give individuals, families and small businesses an opportunity to support the project at a lower cost.
For more information about corporate sponsorships and tree donations or to contribute to the Tree Trail project, visit www.pfohc.org/trees or email hendricks200th@gmail.com.
