Carmel Clay Parks & Recreation (CCPR) received a 2026 Great Lakes Park, Facility or Program Award from the Great Lakes Park Training Institute (GLPTI). The award recognizes the Bur Oak Bridge at Hazel Landing Park.
Specifically, the award honors outstanding parks, facilities, and programs completed within the last five years. Eligible projects demonstrate forward-thinking design, cost-effective solutions, and meaningful community impact. Based on these criteria, GLPTI recognized Bur Oak Bridge for its innovative design and regional collaboration.
Bur Oak Bridge is a 500-foot-long, 14-foot-wide pedestrian and bicycle bridge that spans the White River. It connects Hazel Landing Park in Carmel with Heritage Park in Fishers, strengthening central Indiana’s regional trail network by linking the Monon Greenway, Big-4 Rail Trail and Nickel Plate Trail.
The $11 million project was made possible through a collaborative regional investment, with funding contributions from:
- Clay Township – $5 million through its Impact Program
- Carmel Clay Parks & Recreation – $3 million
- Hamilton County – $1.6 million
- Delaware Township – $1.3 million
- City of Fishers – $400,000
Klitzing
“At its core, Bur Oak Bridge provides pedestrians with a safe and accessible connection between regional trail systems,” CCPR Director/CEO Michael Klitzing said. “Overall, this award reinforces the importance of investing in projects that enhance recreation, mobility and connection throughout our community and the region.”
The name “Bur Oak Bridge” reflects the ecological and cultural significance of the native Bur Oak tree and was selected in consultation with representatives of the Miami, Delaware/Lenape, Shawnee, and Peoria tribes. Interpretive signage at each end of the bridge will highlight the White River’s natural and cultural history, as well as its Indigenous heritage.