$5M Campaign for Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Park

On the 54th anniversary of the assassination of civil rights leader Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., the city of Indianapolis announced Monday a $5 million capital campaign for upgrades to the city park named in his honor. Mayor Joe Hogsett joined community leaders to announce the fundraising effort to support renovations at the park.

The city has pledged $1 million in infrastructure work toward the campaign. The primary focus of this investment will be along the 19th Street corridor with new sidewalks, lighting, and pedestrian walkways.

On April 4, 1968, Senator Robert Kennedy announced King’s assassination during a speech at the park. Two months later, Kennedy also fell to an assassin’s bullet. In subsequent years, a memorial was built in honor of the two men.

The Landmark for Peace memorial, located within Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Park, was dedicated in 1995.

“The Kennedy King Memorial Initiative and the park that surrounds it both play a unique role in telling the story of our city and our nation,” said Indianapolis Mayor Joe Hogsett. “The city is honored to contribute to the park’s growth through this capital campaign.”

The Kennedy King Memorial Initiative says the Kennedy King Park Center is open today from noon to 5:00 p.m. to allow the public the opportunity to visit the center’s permanent exhibit.

“We are grateful for the work that the Kennedy King Memorial Initiative does to spread the messages of justice that Dr. King and Senator Kennedy dedicated their lives to,” said Phyllis Boyd, director of Indy Parks. “We want to thank Mayor Hogsett and the City of Indianapolis for their support for this capital campaign to raise some much-needed funds for the park.”