INDIANAPOLIS — City officials celebrated the reopening of Sahm Park on Indianapolis’ northeast side Thursday, marking a major milestone in the city’s $80 million Lilly Endowment Grant project.
“The reopening of Sahm Park marks an important milestone in our commitment to upgrading and maintaining high-quality public spaces across Indianapolis,” said Mayor Joe Hogsett. “Thanks to our partnership with the Lilly Endowment, communities on the city’s northeast side can now experience new amenities that are creating high-quality places to play, gather, and spend time outdoors.”
The park features several new amenities, including a new playground, shelter, pickleball courts, and a renovated tennis pavilion.
The new playground is one of 30 covered by the Lilly Endowment Grant. In total, Indy Parks has completed 53 new playgrounds since 2022, representing more than 40% of the department’s total playgrounds. Six parks also received new pickleball courts through the grant.
39 of the 40 grant projects are completed or on track to finish by early 2027. Construction on the final project at Lt. Graham Edward Martin Park is underway and expected to wrap up in late 2027.
The $80 million Lilly Endowment Grant is part of a larger $150 million investment into Indianapolis parks over the last four years, which also includes:
As part of the city’s newly approved 2027 budget, Indy Parks will see a 20% increase to its facility maintenance budget, along with $2.1 million for playground and court improvements and new safety cameras.
The city also anticipates breaking ground on the $10 million Rev. Mozel Sanders Project and the first park building in Decatur Township at Jack Butler Park in 2027.
