State quietly scraps plans for expanded White River State Park

(MIRROR INDY) — State officials are abandoning plans to expand the White River State Park, Mirror Indy has learned.

Gov. Mike Braun’s administration made the decision in February to kill the $65 million project due to a lack of “available funding,” according to a spokesperson.

The plans had involved extending the park by 15 acres south of Washington Street to include green space, an extended walking trail and a “river theater” overlook with concert seating.

When asked to comment, a Braun spokesperson deferred to the White River State Park Development Commission, the state agency overseeing the park. A majority of its members are appointed by the governor.

“Upon review, it was determined that available funding was insufficient to complete the project without reducing the scope so significantly that it would no longer meet the original objectives,” the commission said in an emailed statement. “With that information, the state made the decision to end the current project at the site and will work to explore future options to reimagine its use.”

One factor that led to a funding gap: the fallout from President Trump’s tariffs.

The 2025 state budget initially included $15 million to fund the park expansion. But that money was...