Quality of Place: Pathways to Progress Grants Program Impact Report 2021-2024
Background
PURPOSE
Parks and greenspaces contribute to physical and mental health, environmental sustainability, and a sense of community. Pathways to Progress Grants Program aims to increase access to safe, accessible, high-quality parks for all residents of Clark and Floyd counties, especially those who are low-income, have limited access to transportation, have physical or intellectual differences, or live in rural areas or other places that lack safe routes to parks.
SOLUTIONS
KEY CHALLENGES IDENTIFIED
• Limited Access & Use – Insufficient parkland and amenities to meet diverse needs, limited connectivity and access points to existing resources
• Safety – Concerns about crime and safety in parks and trails; lack of safety features in many existing locations.
• Environmental Quality – Poor air quality from development, traffic, and limited public transit options.
• Sustainability – Lack of funding coordination, underutilized philanthropic support, and minimal investment in parks.
• Better Connectivity – Safe routes via sidewalks, bike trails, and public transit.
• Park Improvements – Infrastructure upgrades for safety, accessibility, and increased engagement.
• Community Activation – Programs, events, and marketing to encourage park use.
• Collaborative Efforts – Partnerships with government, nonprofits, businesses, and funders to drive impact and support long-term sustainability.
VISION
All
residents of Clark and Floyd counties enjoy safe, accessible, high-quality parks and greenspaces.
Quality of Place: Pathways to Progress Grants Program
TARGET POPULATIONS GOALS PARTNERS
Quality of Place: Pathways to Progress Grants Program
*Project in Progress
Safe, accessible routes to parks via public transportation, sidewalks, crosswalks, bike trails, and access points
Parks infrastructure that connects existing parks and ensures parks safe and accessible for people with limited mobility
Safety features and amenities available in parks
Activation of unused or underused public spaces, such as pocket parks Advocacy and government partnerships around park and greenspace planning
Borden Community Park
Pathways to Progress Grants Program Recipient Map
Borden Community Park
Charleston Greenway
Floyd County Parks and Recreation
Georgetown SR 64
Jeffersonville Public Library
River Heritage Conservancy
PROJECT LEGEND
ABOUT THE PROJECT
The Blueway Extension brought new life to the waterfront at Origin Park, creating Croghan Launch Site, a high-quality launch for paddlers and access point for fishermen while adding picnic spaces, native landscaping, and parking. The goal was to make the park more accessible, visible, and inviting to the community.
Origin Park Blueway Extension
LEVERAGED FUNDS ESTIMATED USAGE
$900,000 1,000
Sam Shine Foundation, Blue Sky Foundation, Ogle Foundation, IHCDA CreatINg Places
RIPPLE EFFECTS
This project did more than just build a kayak launch—it put Origin Park on the map. Although the water levels rise and fall, the Croghan Launch Site brings visitors to the park to access Silver Creek for a variety of activities, such as kayaking, fishing, picnicking, and bird watching. As the first amenity offered in Origin Park, it kicked off development that will boost the region for generations to come by fueling momentum for further investment in the $250M+ park transformation. It’s laying the groundwork for regional economic growth, with plans for future amenities that will draw visitors, create jobs, and strengthen the area’s outdoor tourism appeal.
Based on attendance at ribbon cutting event, general use estimates, youth field trip visitors, and park cleanup volunteers
"The greatest impact this project had is activating the park and getting it on the public’s mental map."
Kevin Hammersmith Memorial Park Accessible Playground
ABOUT THE PROJECT
This project transformed the Kevin Hammersmith Memorial Park into a true destination for inclusive play, ensuring kids of all abilities could enjoy a state-of-the-art, accessible playground together.
LEVERAGED FUNDS ESTIMATED USAGE
$1.1M 10,000
Floyd County Commissioners, Samtec Cares, Legacy Foundation, Gametime, IHCDA, Kosair Charities, Individuals, Caesar’s Foundation of Floyd, and more!
Conservative estimate based on 2,000+ counted visits shortly after opening and reports of constant use by families and schools.
CFSI Investment: $70,000
RIPPLE EFFECTS
This playground has become a regional destination for families from multiple counties across Southern Indiana and Northern Kentucky. It has been recognized as a National Demonstration Site, helping to promote inclusive play nationwide. The park has acted as a catalyst for accessibility-focused projects, inspiring nearby schools and neighboring communities to renovate their own playgrounds after seeing its impact. It has also attracted support from major partners, including Kosair Charities and Rock Industry, and was chosen as the site for a Louisville-based Spina Bifida organization’s annual picnic. Most importantly, this space has deeply touched families, including a father with a prosthetic leg who shared that, for the first time, he was able to join his child on a playground.
"Serving the needs of special needs kids is incredible, but the neatest thing is watching the parents' faces—just standing back and seeing their smiles. That’s when you know you’ve done something really special."
Pocket Park at Jeffersonville Library
ABOUT THE PROJECT
An underused patch of land outside the Jeffersonville Library was reimagined as a fully accessible, train-themed pocket park, blending local history with a safe, interactive space for families.
$80,000
LEVERAGED FUNDS ESTIMATED USAGE
$162,000 5,000
Jeffersonville Public Library, Library Foundation, Bales Foundation, Brick Paver Sales
RIPPLE EFFECTS
This small but mighty project has completely changed how people experience the library. It’s now a destination, not just a stop for books. Families routinely visit for playdates, and social workers even use it for supervised visits. The park’s safety features—fencing, lighting, and cameras—give parents peace of mind, and the library has seen its highest visitor numbers since 2018. Each year since the park opened has seen triple the number of new library cards issued to children aged 0 - 6, compared to historical numbers. A game-changer for community engagement.
Based on circulation, new library cards issued to young children, and the # of households with young children in Jeffersonville
"People don’t have to choose between getting the wiggles out or going to the library – they can do both here."
ABOUT THE PROJECT
Charlestown brought new life to an aging city park, turning it into a modern, fully accessible gathering space with new playground features, solar lighting, and other safety enhancements.
City of Charlestown Greenway Park Glow Up
LEVERAGED FUNDS
$216,360 8,000
City of Charlestown Board of Public Works, Bluegrass Recreational Products
Based on the # of Charlestown residents, as the Park hosts major community events and festivals throughout the year.
CFSI Investment: $150,000
RIPPLE EFFECTS
This project did more than upgrade a park—it sparked a movement. The City established a Disability Advisory Council to advise on accessibility issues in public spaces, and local disability service providers have relocated nearby to take advantage of the space. In doing so, they rehabbed a blighted building. Beautification is contagious - area landlords and business owners have spruced up their exteriors. The park is now a go-to spot for families, and its popularity has even led the City to invest in sidewalk improvements to better connect low-income housing to the park. Safety features and lots of use means vandalism is way down. Kids of all ages and abilities find something fun to do in the park, and all residents now have a space to gather and connect.
"Once we got this playground, the community wanted to know—what can we do next?"
Borden Community Park Accessible Playground and Picnic Area
playground and sensory walk, providing a welcoming space for children of all abilities, including the 189 special needs students from local schools.
ESTIMATED USAGE
$1,200 10,000
Friends of Borden Community Park, Temple and Temple
RIPPLE EFFECTS
The playground quickly became a regional draw, with over 1,000 regular users and a single festival bringing in 15,000 visitors.
The ADA-compliant picnic tables and rubberized surfaces have made the park more desirable for families and schools. A large homeschooling group now meets at the park regularly, and local youth league games bring families together, strengthening the sense of community.
Conservative estimate based on local schools (189 special needs students), weekly homeschooling groups, and large event attendance.
“All-inclusive play and picnic tables have made this a more desirable location for all children, including the 189 special needs students from local schools."
Town of Georgetown SR 64 Sidewalk (in progress)
ABOUT THE PROJECT
This project will build critical sidewalk infrastructure along SR 64, connecting neighborhoods, businesses, and public spaces, including local parks and schools. While downtown Georgetown recently added sidewalks with great community support, much of the town remains disconnected. Currently, pedestrians are forced to walk along the railway tracks or directly on SR 64, posing significant safety risks.
“Georgetown has a walkability score of almost zero. Right now, people are walking on the railway and down SR 64, which is dangerous. This sidewalk project changes that—it connects 13 businesses, multiple neighborhoods, and a youth sports complex. It’s about safety, accessibility, and making Georgetown a more livable community.”
RIPPLE EFFECTS
This project will provide safe, dedicated pedestrian routes in an area where walking is currently hazardous. By linking neighborhoods, schools, and businesses, it will encourage more foot traffic, support local commerce, and improve overall quality of life. The new sidewalks will help reduce vehicle dependency, promote healthier lifestyles, and create a safer, more connected town for residents of all ages. As awareness grows, this initiative could serve as a model for future pedestrian infrastructure improvements across the region.
NEXT STEPS
Bids for construction will go out in February or March, with completion expected by June or July. Additionally, the town is pursuing federal funding support with the help of Congresswoman Houchin, which, if secured, could allow for further sidewalk expansion and connectivity improvements beyond this initial phase.
Impact of Pathways to Progress
PTP is reshaping the region, proving that investing in public spaces enhances quality of life across multiple domains.
INCREASING PHYSICAL ACTIVITY
New and upgraded parks and greenspaces are now serving tens of thousands of residents annually, helping to meet the demand for safe, accessible outdoor spaces.
STRENGTHENING COMMUNITY
CONNECTIONS
Playgrounds and pocket parks have become gathering spaces for all ages and abilities, fostering inclusion and social interaction.
ENHANCING ACCESSIBILITY
From ADA-compliant and fully accessible playgrounds to safer sidewalks, the program has prioritized infrastructure that serves everyone.
SUPPORTING LIFELONG LEARNING
The Jeffersonville Library Pocket Park has tripled early literacy engagement, while the Croghan Paddling Launch helps visitors travel back in time as they paddle through the reclaimed landscape in and around Origin Park .
BOOSTING ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT
Investments in public spaces have spurred private development, attracting businesses, improving properties, and supporting tourism.
INSPIRING INVESTMENT IN PLACEMAKING
Successes have led cities to expand projects, plan for future improvements, and create lasting policy changes around accessibility and public space development.
Feedback on Pathways to Progress
PROGRAM AWARENESS & APPLICATION PROCESS
• Grantees learned about QOP through CFSI newsletters, social media, and direct outreach.
• At least one grantee used the CFSI Needs Assessment to identify community needs and strengthen their proposal.
• The grant process was widely praised as straightforward and well-structured. Grantees appreciated the flexibility in reporting timelines and collaborative spirit, noting that staff were available and helpful throughout the process.
• Grantees did not seem to know that CFSI wanted proposals to include collaborations or funding requests to support the activation of spaces (and not just capital costs).
PROGRAM IMPACT & EFFECTIVENESS
• 100% of interview participants believe QOP is achieving its goal, with visible improvements in parks, sidewalks, and accessibility.
• 88% say QOP aligns with community priorities, but a few noted more funding options could benefit rural areas and that there are many other priorities, as well.
• Grantees particularly valued how projects increased engagement, strengthened accessibility, leveraged additional investment, foster a sense of connectedness, and encourage healthy lifestyles.
KEY TAKEAWAYS
CHALLENGES & AREAS FOR IMPROVEMENT
• Grantees faced difficulties in cost estimation, gathering demographic data, developing an approach to evaluating program reach and impact, securing long-term maintenance funding, and vendor management.
• Suggestions for CFSI include:
⚬ More outreach to underrepresented communities and supporting project design
⚬ Providing more direct guidance on evaluating impact and using community-level metrics, rather than grantee reports
⚬ Creating a grant watch list help leverage additional dollars and better coordination with municipal budget cycles
PTP is widely seen as a success, improving community spaces and driving engagement. Targeted refinements - such as expanded outreach, fine-tuning application guidance, and providing additional resources and supports to applicants and grantees - could increase the diversity of QOP projects and provide more robust data and information to evaluate and communicate program impact.