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Quality of Place: Pathways to Progress Grants
The Community Foundation of Southern Indiana’s Quality of Place: Pathways to Progress Grants Program focuses on serving people with the least access to safe, high-quality public places and amenities. Typically, this includes those community members with:
- income limitations
- transportation / mobility issues
- physical / mental differences
When the lives of all of our neighbors are improved, our communities become more welcoming and attractive to all residents, tourists, and employers.
Quality of Place: Pathways to Progress grant applications are open annually from July 1-31.
What Priority Results Are We Looking For?
For these populations, we will work with our nonprofit partners to improve:
What We Are Looking For That Achieve These Results
Public Access
Safe, accessible routes to parks & greenspaces (through public transportation, sidewalks, crosswalks, bike trails, and access points)
Accessibility for All
Infrastructures that connect existing parks, ensuring its safety and accessibility for people with limited mobility
Program & Activities
Attractive programs & activities in parks or greenspaces that promote physical activity
Safety
Safety features & amenities available in parks
Repurposing Public Spaces
Activation of unused or underused public spaces, such as pocket parks
Marketing & Communications
Marketing & communication about activities offered in parks and greenspaces
Partnerships
Advocacy & government partnerships around park and greenspace planning
Inclusive Projects
Complete street projects
Funder Collaboration
Collaboration on funder-led projects and initiatives around parks and greenspaces
Past Award Recipients Include:
Croghan Launch Point (Clarksville)
The Quality of Place – Pathways to Progress Grants Program began in May 2021, when CFSI awarded River Heritage Conservancy a $100,000 grant to begin their first project as part of the new Origin Park: the Croghan Launch. Located in Clarksville, Ind., the Croghan Launch area allows paddlers of all experience levels to launch canoes, kayaks, and paddleboards into Silver Creek.
Jeffersonville Library Pocket Park (Jeffersonville)
The Jeffersonville Township Public Library was awarded $80,000, which will be used to construct a pocket park with structures for active, imaginative play designed to accommodate all children – including those with intellectual and physical differences. The park will be thematically tied to the city’s history, and it will include a story walk and sustainable plantings of native flora.
Kevin Hammersmith Memorial Park Inclusive Playground (New Albany)
Floyd County Parks and Recreation was awarded $70,000 to support an accessible playground for all children and adults with physical and mental disabilities in the Southern Indiana area. The inclusive playground will be added to Kevin Hammersmith Memorial Park and will meet the National Demonstration Site criteria for Inclusion, becoming a regional destination for children and adults with special needs.
Greenway Park (Charlestown)
The City of Charlestown was awarded $150,000 to support construction of an inclusive playground . The “Greenway Glow Up” project will update outdated, malfunctioning playground equipment in Greenway Park – the city’s centralized and most-used park – and replace it with safer, ADA-approved equipment for children of all ability levels. The park’s central location makes its accessibility ideal for walkers and bikers, as well as those living in the Charlestown Housing Authority.
Borden Community Park (Borden)
The Town of Borden was awarded $150,000 to develop the south side of Borden Community Park. The project includes the installation of an inclusive playground and restroom facility, both of which will be ADA-compliant. The renovations will also include a permanent water source to provide hydration stations for visitors using the nearby Monon South Trail for walking and biking.