Zionsville planning refresh for downtown park on site where Lincoln spoke in 1861

Zionsville plans to build a new gazebo, walking path and water feature at Lincoln Park near the town's historic Village. (Rendering courtesy town of Zionsville)

Zionsville has announced plans to refurbish a park built near the town’s historic Village on the site where Abraham Lincoln spoke 164 years ago on his way to the White House.

Mayor John Stehr said the project to replace Lincoln Park’s gazebo and brick paths, add a water feature and improve drainage will cost between $800,000 and $950,000. Construction will begin this fall, and the half-acre park is expected to reopen next spring.

Originally known as Depot Park, the site gained historic significance when President-elect Lincoln gave a speech there in 1861 from a train depot on the way from Springfield, Illinois, to Washington, D.C. Lincoln’s funeral train also passed the site following his assassination in 1865. A bandstand was built at the park in the 1960s, followed by a gazebo in the 1980s.

“To me, it’s sacred ground, and I think it is to a lot of people who live here,” Stehr said. “We need to protect this asset. If the brick street is the beating heart of town, this is the main valve. It’s nice that we’re able to refurbish it and have it more accessible and more useful for a new generation of people.”

Zionsville Parks and Recreation is beginning a fundraising campaign for upcoming renovations to Lincoln Park, which is bounded by East Cedar Street to the north, North Main Street to the east, West Oak Street to the south and South Second Street to the west.

The town is starting a fundraising campaign called “Love for Lincoln” to raise money to refurbish the park. Town leaders hope to build a larger, more accessible gazebo, improved walkways and lighting, new landscaping, a foundation and expanded seating.

“The thing with the gazebo … if you grew up here, you would probably have your prom pictures taken there. Probably graduation pictures. People have gotten engaged there and married there,” Stehr said. “So it has a deep meaning to a lot of people in town.”

On Sept. 13, volunteers will help remove bricks from the current pathways on the “Pull-a-Brick Volunteer Day.” Volunteers will be allowed to take one brick home as a keepsake with additional bricks available for $5. All existing engraved bricks will be preserved in the redesign of the park.

The town will lay new engraved bricks on the new gazebo floor and path that can be purchased for $150.

The existing gazebo will be dismantled later this year, and pieces will be available for a $25 donation. Some decorative corbels from the gazebo can be reserved for $200 on a first-come, first-served basis.