Geist waterfront park could feature covered bridge from Seymour

FISHERS, Ind. (WISH) — Hamilton County leaders are getting closer to finalizing plans for a 70-acre park.

Fishers city officials hosted the first of two public meetings Tuesday night to get ideas for the Geist waterfront park. The city bought land near 111th Street and Olio Road earlier this year. The park will be on the last-remaining undeveloped parcel on Geist Reservoir. 

Early park designs feature restoring the Bell Ford Bridge, a covered bridge in Jackson County, and bringing it to the park. The bridge once spanned the East Fork of the White River northwest of Seymour, about 65 miles south of Fishers. According to online information, the bridge built in 1885 was destroyed after flooding in 1999 and 2006.

Hamilton County Commissioner Mark Heirbrandt said, “To be able to get something like this … be able to drive off Florida Road and be able to turn and look and see that covered bridge will be a wow factor to a lot of people here.”

“We’re excited to be able to partner with Jackson County and make sure we restore this to its original history,” the commissioner said. 

The city is hosting one more public-input session at 6:30 p.m. Nov. 27 at the auditorium in Fishers City Hall. 

Residents can also submit ideas on a city webpage.

The park will be developed on a 1,900-acre parcel. The Hamilton County Reporter, a partner with News 8, reported conceptual designs of the park show possibilities: a fishing dock, a public beach, kayaking, a boardwalk, natural play areas and opportunities for adventure races, triathlons, paddle boarding and more. No motorized boat launch will be permitted in the park area. 

The park will be named at a later date. 

Residents may address questions or concerns to city planner Megan Schaefer at schaeferm@fishers.in.us.