White River Greenway Initiative: Construction Updates- Summer/Fall 2026

CURRENT CONSTRUCTION UPDATE & PROGRESS PHOTOS

Eastern Park & Perkinsville Public Access Site Flooding & Construction Update

Historic flooding in August impacted both the Eastern Park construction site and the Perkinsville Public Access Site. As designed, floodwaters receded naturally at both locations, and none of the newly constructed infrastructure was damaged.

The Eastern Park site is located within a known floodplain, a condition understood and accounted for throughout the planning and design process. Parks and open spaces are commonly built in floodplain areas because they can accommodate periodic high water while keeping homes, businesses, and critical infrastructure out of harm’s way. The Eastern Park was designed to work with the natural landscape, including the reality that the White River will occasionally rise and portions of the site may temporarily flood.

The significant rainfall and saturated ground conditions have extended the construction timeline, primarily to provide the appropriate conditions for final planting, site restoration and remaining punch-list work. Construction at both sites is now anticipated to be substantially completed by early November with minor items by the end of November.

Madison County Parks and Recreation continues to work closely with the project team to ensure these improvements are completed thoughtfully and responsibly, with the long-term resilience and enjoyment of these riverfront spaces in mind.

Project Site Photos (09.03.26)

SEPTEMBER CONSTRUCTION UPDATE & SITE PROGRESS PHOTOS

White River Greenway Eastern Park

Current Site Work:

  • E&B’s path construction began 9/23

  • Staking for paths have been completed and grass is to be installed in the areas that have been staked but will not be stone

  • Intent is to allow for a mowed path that eventually can be converted stone

  • On/After 10/1 the maple tree at the end of the boat ramp will be cut down

  • Riprap work at boat ramp will happen after the tree has been cut to help allow for better grading and placement of material to protect the boat ramp

  • Mid-October, the HMA surface, pavement markings, and stone shoulder will be installed, trees will also be installed within the mitigation area

  • Seeding of slopes have been completed

  • As amenity items are confirmed/received they are being installed

General Construction Notes:

Construction is expected to continue through early fall. Work will occur Monday through Friday, between the hours of 7AM-5PM, weather permitting.

IDNR Perkinsville Public Access Site Update

NOTE: Starting on/after July 27th, the site will be closed to vehicles, boaters, anglers, and other visitors. The closure is necessary to provide a safe work environment for construction crews and the public.

View Closure Notice

During this closure, the following planned improvements will take place:

  • Widening the entrance drive and parking area

  • Enhancing and stabilizing river access

  • Completing related site grading and restoration work

Current Site Work Underway:

  • Scenic will be installing native seed mixture and wrapping up the bioretention area

  • Grubbing/clean up around concrete pad

  • Railing modification

  • E&B will have 4-5 days to install a culvert and perform additional stone installation/grading of the new parking surface (this will follow after all of the bioretention area work has been completed)

Things to Keep in Mind:

  • Construction vehicles entering/exiting the site along 8th St.

  • Residents and drivers are encouraged to use caution when traveling near construction zones

  • Potential, but minimal noise during active construction hours

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Construction site with three yellow excavators digging in dirt, surrounded by trees and tire tracks on the ground.
Construction site near a wooded area and a river, with parked cars, a small excavator, and materials stacked on the ground.
Aerial view of a construction site with excavators working on a curved dirt road, surrounded by green fields and trees, with power lines in the distance.
Aerial view of a construction site with earth-moving machinery creating a racetrack-shaped excavation amidst cleared land and surrounding trees.
Construction site with bulldozers moving dirt in a grassy area surrounded by trees under a blue sky.
A grassy field with patchy green grass, a section of dark tilled soil, and orange fencing along the left side, with trees and a cloudy sky in the background.
A calm river surrounded by green trees and plants, with sunlight reflecting on the water.
Construction site with a large pile of dirt and a yellow bulldozer, trees in the background, and clear sky.
Construction site with earth-moving machinery on cleared land, trees on the right, clear blue sky.
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ALL CONSTRUCTION NOTES

  • White River Greenway Eastern Park

    Current Site Work:

    • Earthwork/grading – 9/3 and 9/4

    • Articulated mats at the end of the boat ramp installed-9/4 and 9/8

    • Site cleanup – Ongoing

    • Farm fence installation – Week of 9/7

    • Tentative Trail work – Week of 9/7

    • Seeding for areas not utilizing farm equipment – Week of 9/14

    • Remaining Site areas to be seeded – Week of 9/14 or 9/21

    • Riprap and tree removal at ramp – Week of 10/5

    • Tree planting mitigation area – Week of 10/5

    • Tree planting at Eastern property line  – Week of 10/5

    IDNR Perkinsville Public Access Site Update

    NOTE: Starting on/after July 27th, the site will be closed to vehicles, boaters, anglers, and other visitors. The closure is necessary to provide a safe work environment for construction crews and the public.

    View Closure Notice

    During this closure, the following planned improvements will take place:

    • Widening the entrance drive and parking area

    • Enhancing and stabilizing river access

    • Completing related site grading and restoration work

    Current Site Work:

    • Outlet pipe installed - 9/2

    • Finishing up earthwork – Week of 9/7

    • Concrete Pad installation – 9/3 and 9/4

    • Stone drive touch-up and grading – Week of 9/21

    • Seeding/plantings – Week of 9/28 into 10/5

  • White River Greenway Eastern Park

    Current Site Work:

    • HMA paving has been completed.

    • Topsoil has been applied and will be prepped for seeding.

    • The concrete boat ramp has been finished.

    General Construction Notes:

    Construction is expected to continue through late summer. Work will occur Monday through Friday, between the hours of 7AM-5PM, weather permitting.

    IDNR Perkinsville Public Access Site Update

    NOTE: Starting on/after July 27th, the site will be closed to vehicles, boaters, anglers, and other visitors. The closure is necessary to provide a safe work environment for construction crews and the public.

    View Closure Notice

    During this closure, the following planned improvements will take place:

    • Widening the entrance drive and parking area

    • Enhancing and stabilizing river access

    • Completing related site grading and restoration work

  • Phase one construction of the White River Greenway Eastern Park site is officially underway.

    Current Site Work:

    • Week of June 22nd: Construction activities continue with crews fine-grading the stone base in preparation for paving. Base asphalt paving is planned for Tuesday, June 23, through Wednesday, June 24, followed by topsoil placement and fine grading of disturbed areas from Wednesday, June 24, through Saturday, June 27. Crews are expected to complete surface asphalt paving on Monday, June 29, install shoulder stone along the pavement edges on Tuesday, June 30, and finish with pavement markings on Wednesday, July 1. This schedule is weather-dependent and subject to change.

  • Phase one construction of the White River Greenway Eastern Park site is officially underway. Current site work includes mass earthwork, excavation of the bio retention area, and building of the roadway/entrance into the park. 

    • All permitting is approved

    • Eastern Park: Construction mobilization begins with earthwork the week ofApril 27th.

    • Construction of the Eastern Park will be underway first; the Perkinsville site construction is anticipated to start mid-summer.

    • Permit Updates-Approved & Issued

    • The IDNR permit for the Perkinsville Public Access Site was formally approved with a mail date of 3/18/26. The construction/development team is only awaiting the construction MOU from IDNR.  IDNR has shared that this is a very high priority and they are moving it through their process as quickly as possible.  

    • All necessary local, state, and federal permits for the Eastern Park have been received. The construction team will soon share 4-6 week construction outlooks to ensure the board is informed.  We'll also use these 4-6 week outlooks to share construction updates directly on the Parks Department website. 

      Tree Clearing at Eastern Park & IDNR Perkinsville Public Access Site-Completed

    • Tree clearing began on 3/25 and was completed 3/30 at both the Eastern and Perkinsville sites.  This work was completed prior to April 1st to comply with Indiana Law requiring that all tree clearing must happen before that date. This state law protects the Indiana Bat and its habitat.