The $6.8 million project will elevate the southern portion of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Park
INDIANAPOLIS – Today, Mayor Joe Hogsett joined City-County Council President Vop Osili, Indy Parks Director Phyllis Boyd, and community leaders to break ground on a $6.8 million expansion project at Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Park. The project will build a new plaza, walkways, landscaping, and expansion of the existing Landmark for Peace monument at the park. The project will also make significant investments in new lighting and security cameras for the park and is scheduled for completion in 2026.
“The City of Indianapolis is proud to start this project that will elevate the historic site in Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Park to match its national significance and invaluable legacy,” said Mayor Joe Hogsett. “The reimagined park and expanded Landmark for Peace monument will create an unforgettable experience for all Indy residents and visitors.”
The event marks the 57th anniversary of Robert Kennedy’s speech in Indianapolis when he announced the assassination of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. on April 4, 1968. The speech was widely credited with helping to prevent violence in the city that night, when many other cities across the country saw outbreaks of violence. Kennedy was assassinated only two months later, further connecting the two men’s legacies. The Landmark for Peace memorial was dedicated in 1995 by local, state and national leaders, including former President Bill Clinton and members of the Kennedy and King families. To learn more about the park and its history, visit kennedykingindy.org.
“Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Park is more than just a public space—it is a living testament to the legacies of Dr. King and Senator Kennedy, and a reminder of the power of unity in times of division,” said City-County Council President Vop Osili. “The MLK Gateway Project will not only enhance the park’s physical landscape but also deepen its historical significance, ensuring that future generations can gather here to reflect, learn, and be inspired.”
The MLK Gateway project comes in the midst of a historic investment of over $140 million in Indy Parks, including the $80 million Lilly Endowment Grant, improving 42 parks across the city. Indy Parks has already broken ground on three such projects this year, with improvements scheduled to begin at dozens of parks throughout 2025.
“The Kennedy King Memorial Initiative (KKMI) is grateful for the city’s partnership and investment in this historic park,” said State Representative and Kennedy King Memorial Initiative Chairman Greg Porter. “The MLK Gateway Project will uplift the park to new heights and serve as a great asset for the community on the near northside.”
The new plaza will include information about Dr. King, Senator Kennedy, the civil rights movement, and other information from the existing Kennedy King Park Center indoor display. When completed, the site will be elevated to more fully recognize the history of the park and the legacies of Dr. King and Senator Kennedy. Construction will only impact the southern portion of the park and will not limit park access to any amenities other than the Landmark for Peace monument. Renderings for the MLK Gateway Project can be found here.
“By capturing the vision that Dr. King and Senator Kennedy shared, the MLK Gateway project will further ensure that their legacy lives on for generations in our city,” said Indy Parks Director Phyllis Boyd. “In the midst of a historic investment in our city’s public spaces, this project stands out as gamechanger for one of our most historic parks.”
