Hamilton County Parks & Recreation to cut the ribbon on Bell Ford Bridge at Geist Park

Photo provided

Hamilton County Parks and Recreation (HCPR) will soon hold a ribbon-cutting ceremony for the newly restored Bell Ford Bridge at Geist Park, 10979 Florida Road, at 10 a.m. Thursday, June 19.

The public is invited to attend and celebrate the preservation of this one-of-a-kind historic structure and its integration into the region’s expanding trail system.

Originally built in 1869 to span the East Fork of the White River in Jackson County, the Bell Ford Bridge is the only known Combination Post Truss Bridge remaining in the world. After severe storm damage caused its collapse in 2006, the bridge was carefully disassembled and stored. In 2018, Hamilton County Commissioner Mark Heirbrandt and HCPR collaborated with the Jackson County Commissioners to acquire the bridge in exchange for a $25,000 donation to the Jackson County Round Barn Restoration Fund. Hamilton County then stored the bridge components in a secure area of the county jail until plans for reconstruction could be finalized. Now, after a remarkable multi-agency restoration and relocation effort, the bridge has been reconstructed as a pedestrian bridge across Fall Creek at Geist Park.

Heirbrandt

“Having been involved from the initial concept to the completion of this project, I am extremely proud of this accomplishment,” Heirbrandt said. “This monumental undertaking required extensive collaboration and communication across multiple committees. The restored Bell Ford Bridge will serve as a source of pride and a sought-after destination for residents and visitors.”

The project was led by HCPR and the County Highway Department and was made possible through a unique collaboration with Jackson County, the City of Fishers, INDOT, Fall Creek Township Trustee Doug Allman, and the Indianapolis Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO), which provided $2.77 million in funding.

Despite the complex nature of the restoration – including the reuse of 90 percent of the original cast iron components – the team overcame significant engineering and logistical challenges to bring the bridge back to life.

Stice

“We’re incredibly proud to give the Bell Ford Bridge a new home at Geist Park,” HCPR Director Chris Stice said. “It’s rare that a park feature can offer beauty, function, and historical significance all in one. “We look forward to welcoming the public to walk across this one-of-a-kind bridge.”

The bridge also connects with the new Geist Greenway, a federally supported pedestrian trail that links neighborhoods from 96th Street to 131st Street in Fishers. The joint planning effort ensures both infrastructure and recreation are enhanced for future generations.

Attendees at the ceremony will hear brief remarks from representatives from partnering organizations, witness the official ribbon cutting, and have the opportunity to walk across the restored bridge.

For more information about the event or HCPR programs, visit MyHamiltonCountyParks.com or call (317) 770-4400.