Noblesville unveils mural at new Pleasant Street pedestrian tunnel

A mural depicting Noblesville scenes and historical elements has recently been painted on the new pedestrian tunnel as part of the Reimagine Pleasant Street project.

The city worked closely with local artists Corey and Casey Wilkinson of Wilkinson Brothers, Inc., to commission a custom mural along the north side of the project’s pedestrian trail.

The mural highlights the message of connectivity, from past and present, in all modes and from every corner of the city. The mural on the north end of the pedestrian tunnel links three trails: Riverwalk, Midland Trace, and Nickel Plate. This mural reaches beyond the trail connectivity, as various elements highlight the story of community connection, including the historic interurban electric streetcar, star brick-lined streets, a train on the Midland Railway, and the engagement of the White River, among others. The plum trees pay homage to the surrounding historic neighborhood of Plum Prairie, while the peonies tie together the celebrations of the present.

“Reimagine Pleasant Street is more than just a road project,” Noblesville Mayor Chris Jensen said. “This project is a reflection of our connected community, and we’re excited to see this mural come to life as part of our commitment to highlight the beauty and character of Noblesville.”

“We’ve always respected Noblesville as a hardworking, creative community that knows how to have fun,” the Wilkinson brothers said. “For many years, we’ve played in its waters, ridden its trails, and enjoyed its downtown – we hope this mural shows our appreciation and prompts some smiles from passersby.”

Two additional public art installations in the form of concrete relief murals, designed by Noblesville native Phoebe Davis-Dearth, adorn the south walls surrounding the pedestrian tunnel, reflecting Noblesville and Indiana’s heritage, including the state flower, a peony, and the state bird, a cardinal.

“We have a vibrant art scene in Noblesville, and these unique murals reflect the rich history of our city and Hamilton County,” Noblesville Community Development Director Sarah Reed said. “This quality of place effort will have a lasting impact for our community and will encourage the continued efforts to grow public art in public spaces.”

The first phase of the project, which is the segment from River Road to 11th Street, is planned to be completed by the end of this year. Construction for Phases 2 and 3 has begun, and the entire corridor is expected to be open to traffic by the end of 2025.