By: Andrew Klinger, Plainfield Town Manager
Jan. 22, 2026
Plainfield is a town that understands growth is about more than buildings, it’s about cultivating places, experiences, and connections that endure. As Plainfield continues to invest in the arts, entertainment, and economic development, it remains firmly rooted in what has always defined the community: accessible parks, connected trails, and a commitment to quality of life.
Over the past several years, the Town has made strategic investments that reflect this balance. From a new performing and fine arts center to public art installations and business growth, Plainfield has embraced progress without compromising its small-town character. At the same time, the Town has doubled down on preserving and expanding the natural spaces that make Plainfield feel like home.
Nowhere is that commitment more visible than at Echo Hollow Nature Park.
A Vision for a Regional Destination
Nestled just south of Interstate 70 in Guilford Township, Echo Hollow Nature Park, formerly known as Sodalis Nature Park, represents one of the most ambitious park projects in the Town’s history. The park encompasses more than 1,800 acres, much of which was acquired from the Indianapolis International Airport in 2018 through the airport’s Land Use Initiative. That acquisition marked a pivotal step toward creating a comprehensive, world-class public nature park on Plainfield’s south side.
The vision for Echo Hollow is bold: a regionally significant destination comparable to the Midwest’s most beloved state parks. The park is designed to celebrate and protect its natural assets, including wetlands, wildlife habitats along East Fork White Lick Creek, expansive mature hardwood forests, and Sodalis Lake. Preservation and access go hand in hand, ensuring the land remains both protected and welcoming.
The Town’s Nature Park Master Plan serves as the blueprint for Echo Hollow’s phased development. The plan prioritizes biodiversity, environmental stewardship, and education, particularly the preservation of habitat for the federally protected Indiana bat. Just as important, it creates opportunities for residents and visitors to engage with nature through trails, overlooks, learning spaces, and recreation.
The plan also recognizes the role parks play in supporting smart economic development. Adjacent growth is being planned thoughtfully, with long-term sustainability in mind. A future Tax Increment Financing (TIF) district to the north is anticipated to help support the park’s maintenance and operations, ensuring Echo Hollow remains an asset for generations to come.
While the long-term vision is expansive, Echo Hollow is already delivering meaningful experiences. Approximately 310 acres of the park are open and managed by the Plainfield Department of Public Works. Visitors can enjoy nature trails, picnic areas, and a 5.5-acre pond. Recent improvements added 1.6 miles of new trails, bringing the total to 5.1 miles of accessible paths.
In late 2024 and 2025, Plainfield leveraged $2.8 million in READI community enhancement funding to extend trails along County Road 975 East. This project includes a boardwalk overlooking Sodalis Lake—an investment that blends accessibility, environmental sensitivity, and beauty. The recent commitment of an additional $900,000 in READI funds will allow the Town to further expand the trail network and commit to reforestation of acreage cleared for agricultural uses in the past.
Staying True to What Makes Plainfield, Plainfield
Echo Hollow Nature Park is more than a park, it’s a reflection of Plainfield’s values. As the Town invests in the arts, supports economic opportunity, and grows its entertainment offerings, it continues to prioritize green space, outdoor access, and community connection.
Plainfield’s story is one of intentional progress: moving forward while honoring what matters most. Whether it’s a show at Hendricks Live!, a new public art installation, a thriving business corridor, or a quiet walk along a wooded trail, Plainfield is building a future where moments and memories are made, on purpose.