Just in time for 200,000+ people to visit downtown this weekend, the Indianapolis Cultural Trail officially cut the ribbon on its South Street expansion — improving access to Lucas Oil Stadium and the Indiana Convention Center.

The 0.6-mile segment is the second phase of the trail's first expansion, extending from New Jersey Street to Capitol Avenue.

In addition to improving connectivity, the South Street expansion adds beauty and greenspace + includes more than 12,000 sqft of public gardens with trees, shrubs, grasses, perennial plants, and stormwater planters. It also adds lighting, benches, and bike racks.

During the ribbon cutting, Mayor Hogsett announced the groundbreaking of the Henry Street bridge, which will take place the following day.

"Once the bridge is completed, the Cultural Trail will cross the White River for the first time and will directly connect the Valley neighborhood and the Near Westside to the rest of downtown,” Hogsett said.

ICYMI: This year, the Cultural Trail added two miles and started design on a new segment that will span the White River and connect to the expansion of White River State Park and Levee, Elanco’s new innovation district. In May, the organization added 330 e-bikes to the Pacers Bikeshare program and launched IndyRides Free, a free annual pass program for Marion County residents.

The Cultural Trail recently announced a $2 million fundraising campaign to support its vision for the future of the Cultural Trail’s headquarters, including increased operational and programming capacity + a welcoming location for trail users.