Phase 1 is already planned and in development by the City of Indianapolis, with construction beginning in summer 2026. The primary goal of this phase is to connect the neighborhood back to the Library.

SmallBox and Health by Design have been engaged to lead the trail identity and community engagement process. That work will include listening sessions, neighborhood outreach and opportunities for residents to weigh in on the trail's name, branding and overall character. The goal is a trail identity that is rooted in the corridor's history and feels genuinely owned by the community it serves. This process is expected to be completed in the summer of 2026.

This work arose from the Health Engagement Zone planning process led by Eskenazi Health and the International Marketplace Coalition in 2023. Through countless hours of neighborhood input in collaboration with government, nonprofit, academic, corporate and consulting partners, the neighborhood created the International Marketplace Health Engagement Zone Plan (HEZ). One of the transformative goals of this HEZ is to build a multi-use trail that safely connects key destinations. This includes the library, grocery stores, neighborhood schools, health care centers and businesses, all of which promote active living and economic development.

This effort is propelled by the International Marketplace Steering Committee, composed of representatives from Eskenazi Health, the Indy Healthplex, New Wineskin Ministries,  Enlace Academy, Monarca Academy, the Wayne Township Trustee, Sojos Capital, Keep Indianapolis Beautiful, Health by Design and the City of Indianapolis.

In the International Marketplace, a trail would provide a safe route for kids to walk to school, improve mental health and food access, and promote physical activity and economic opportunity.

The full vision for the trail would create a 5-mile multi-use trail that safely connects the 37,000 neighborhood residents of the International Marketplace to grocery stores, schools, health centers, housing, community assets, and 213 local businesses.

Pending appropriate funding, this follows 4 phases:

• Phase 1: Library to neighborhood

• Phase 2: Grocery stores to neighborhood

• Phase 3: Schools to neighborhood

• Phase 4: Connect loop to Greenways

The trail is currently referred to as the International Marketplace Trail, a working name that reflects the cultural identity of the corridor. Partners are committed to developing a permanent trail name through a community-led process, so that the name reflects the voices and vision of the people who live and work here.

Throughout the development of the trail, you may have seen it referred to as “Camino Indianapolis: International Marketplace Trail.”