Glick Peace Walk illuminates great American achievements, becomes new Indianapolis icon
JUNE 30, 2010 – As the country prepares to celebrate the 4th of July holiday, a crowd gathered on the recently completed segment of the Indianapolis Cultural Trail: A Legacy of Gene & Marilyn Glick to dedicate and unveil the $2 million Glick Peace Walk on Walnut Street between Meridian Street and Capitol Avenue. (Read story from the Indianapolis Star, "Illumination and inspiration on the Cultural Trail.")
Gene and Marilyn Glick, the Trail’s lead benefactors through their initial $15 million gift, donated an additional $2 million to honor 14 individuals, chosen by the Glick family, whose creativity, perseverance and concern for others have improved life for all. They hope that these memorials will inspire visitors to pursue their dreams and make the world a better place.
Ten of the luminary gardens are located on the Indianapolis Cultural Trail on Walnut Street between Meridian Street and Capitol Avenue. This section of Walnut Street also received new brick roadway pavers, lighting and landscaping to transform the street into a pedestrian-friendly destination along the Indianapolis Cultural Trail between the American Legion Mall and the canal. The luminary garden dedicated to Abraham Lincoln will be located at the southwest corner of Washington Street and Capitol Avenue, and the luminary garden dedicated to Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. will be located at the southeast corner of Washington and Pennsylvania Streets.
The following individuals are honored:
Susan B. Anthony
Andrew Carnegie
Thomas Edison
Albert Einstein
Benjamin Franklin
Abraham Lincoln*
Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.*
Franklin Delano Roosevelt and Eleanor Roosevelt
Jonas Salk
Mark Twain
Booker T. Washington
Wilbur and Orville Wright
*Constructed in 2011.
The ceremony to unveil and illuminate the Glick Peace Walk began at dusk with Brian Payne, Cultural Trail founder and president of Central Indiana Community Foundation, thanking the Glicks for their tremendous generosity, vision and leadership.
“You have chosen people who have inspired you, yet today, we are also inspired by your generosity and vision that will enlighten generations of Hoosiers and visitors from around the world,” said Payne.
Marianne Glick explained why the Glick Peace Walk has long been her parents’ dream.
“Over 20 years ago, my parents became determined to find a way to honor individuals who embodied the American spirit,” said Glick. “The Peace Walk is the fruition of that vision. These luminaries were selected because they pursued their dreams, upheld their beliefs and made a significant contribution to the quality of life for all.”
Rundell Ernstberger Associates, an award-winning urban design and landscape architecture firm in Indianapolis also known for its work on White River Gardens, Monon Rail-Trail and Indianapolis Art Center’s Artspark, designed the Indianapolis Cultural Trail and the Glick Peace Walk. Kevin Osburn, lead designer, spoke on behalf of his teammates Eric Ernstberger and Joe Mayes, and introduced the local artists and contractors who made the Glick Peace Walk come to life.
“The Glick Peace Walk became a reality in large part because the Glick family and Central Indiana Community Foundation gave us the freedom to hand-select elite contractors and craftsmen based right here in Indianapolis,” said Osburn.
The artists and contractors include:
Tom Fansler, Smock Fansler Corporation
David Santarossa, Santarossa Mosaic and Tile
Greg Thompson, GRT Glass Design
Jan Martin, Tarpenning Lafollette
The design elements of the luminary gardens enable visitors to gain a deeper understanding of how these inspiring individuals were able to overcome challenges and dedicate their lives to the greater good of society. The terrazzo plazas feature an image from the story of that person’s life, such as a Benjamin Franklin flying a kite. A steel timeline with led lights embedded in the plaza point out key moments that are furthered described in a corresponding interpretive sign nearby. A flat panel of lit glass references the “watershed moment,” when the individual achieved greatness. Each person’s portrait is intricately etched and illuminated in glass encased in a 12-foot stainless steel “sail” that is individually designed and textured around each person. Following their presentations, professional actors Priscilla Lindsay and Rob Johansen led a ceremony to honor each person as each garden was unveiled and illuminated with music from the Ronen Chamber Ensemble. To conclude the ceremony, guests joined the Indianapolis Children's Choir in singing "Let There Be Peace On Earth" by candlelight.
Click here for more information about the Glick Peace Walk.
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