THE SPIRITUAL TRAIL
ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
This project is an initiative of Christian Theological Seminary made possible with the support of the following individuals Matthew Myer Boulton, CTS President Barbara Lee, CTS Director for Strategic Advancement Initiatives Mark Kesling, the daVinci Pursuit
Plan prepared with generous support provided by:
Prepared by:
MESSAGE FROM THE PRESIDENT
When the Hoosier philanthropist and visionary J. Irwin Miller selected the location for the Christian Theological Seminary campus, he chose wisely and well. The CTS campus now graces a ridge overlooking both the Central Canal and the White River valley, offering some of the most breathtaking year-round views of our city’s natural landscape. The opportunity before us today is to open up this extraordinary amenity by creating a Spiritual Trail, a pathway along which walkers of all ages can encounter wildlife and art installations, stories and solitude, transforming this little-known treasure into a true community asset and an inspiring signature destination for Indianapolis. This master plan was made possible by a generous gift from The Indianapolis Foundation, a CICF affiliate, and by partnerships with The daVinci Pursuit, Green3 Studio, and Reconnecting to Our Waterways (ROW). Consistent with ROW’s definition of creative placemaking, the Spiritual Trail will be “a place where people can socialize comfortably and participate in art and culture in playful and surprising ways, connecting to the joys of creativity and the power of community – all with the larger benefit of improving neighborhoods and cities.” The Spiritual Trail at CTS will provide opportunities for people from all backgrounds and income levels to come together for recreation, interaction, and reflection. We envision a Trail that helps us reconnect not only with waterways and the natural world, but also with the stories that make us who we are: stories of faith and values, ethics and arts. Connecting the Indianapolis Museum of Art on one side and Butler University on the other, the Trail will be open to all in the diverse surrounding neighborhoods – and beyond.
Matthew Myer Boulton, CTS President
OVERVIEW
Now more than ever, our world needs places of sanctuary. Beautiful, accessible, hospitable places of peace and understanding, serenity and grace. Too often we are busy, weary, or distracted, and in need of clarity and refreshment. Too often we are fragmented, isolated, or segregated, and so we need to connect, learn, and enjoy each other’s company.
Now more than ever, our world needs places of sanctuary. Indianapolis is no exception. We’re a city on the rise – yet we need more beautiful green spaces where people can experience the beauty of nature and the arts every day. We’re an increasingly diverse, multifaith community – yet we need more opportunities to relate, learn, and live together. We love the planet we call home and want to help protect it – yet we too often forget the beauty in our own backyard, and the ways our deepest convictions can inspire each of us to make a genuine difference. Imagine such a place of sanctuary in the heart of Indianapolis. A corridor of stunning natural beauty, that at the same time is an innovative, engaging outdoor classroom open to all. A place where we can learn about the many faiths that make up the city we call home, and in particular, about how those very wellsprings of conviction can help us confront the most pressing moral issues of our time. Welcome to the Spiritual Trail at Christian Theological Seminary, an unfolding pathway along an extraordinary half-mile ridge overlooking both the White River and the Central Canal. Imagine beautifully designed stations along the way, like milestones along a pilgrimage.
View of the White River in July
Terrace at Christian Theological Seminary
OVERVIEW
Each of these stations would include an extraordinary natural feature: a vista, a ravine, a garden. Each station would also include an evocative work of art, each one devoted to one of the world’s great spiritual traditions represented in our great city. Then imagine each station equipped with an interactive, digital storytelling dimension, making the Spiritual Trail one of the most groundbreaking public spaces in the United States. Each station would be individually geotagged, so that people walking the Trail – using their own smart phone or a device borrowed from CTS – can listen to the stories and testimonies of others, and then leave a story or testimony of their own. Because of the flexibility of this digital dimension, the organizing theme for these stories could change over time. For example, at each station stories and testimonies could be available about how that particular spiritual tradition not only understands and values the natural environment, but also encourages people to work to protect it. At a Jewish station, we hear Jewish stories; at a Muslim station, Muslim stories; at a Christian station, Christian stories; and so on. Other issues could be addressed over time, making the Spiritual Trail an interactive, living exhibit of relevant, vital, faithful storytelling and testimony. A
place of sanctuary to contemplate and reflect, to learn and to grow. Welcome to the Spiritual Trail. We believe this vision can and will become a signature feature of life in Indianapolis, and the more we share these transformative ideas, the more people are joining the journey. With your help, we have no doubt this sanctuary will become a reality.
OVERVIEW
The Need • • • • • • •
More accessible, peaceful, inspiring green spaces in the heart of Indianapolis More magnetic public spaces engaging the city’s waterways More beautiful places for both solitude and celebration More opportunities to engage the pressing moral issues of our time through the prisms of our deepest convictions More pedestrian-friendly experiences in Indianapolis More connectivity between the neighborhoods in Midtown More opportunities to connect and learn across cultural and religious lines
• Proximity to racially and economically diverse Midtown neighborhoods In brief, the opportunity is for the Spiritual Trail to become a pathway of serenity, community, and learning; a corridor of connection with the natural world and our neighbors; a beautiful, peaceful place of sanctuary open to everyone; an esplanade for all walks of life.
The Opportunity
The Goals
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An extraordinary site of natural beauty in the heart of Midtown: a ridge overlooking both the White River and the Central Canal An exceptional campus known for its architectural excellence, sense of serenity, and open-minded values A landmark graduate school with a decades-long legacy of interfaith dialogue, learning, and engagement A riverside stretch of land connecting the Indianapolis Museum of Art and 100 Acres to the west, and Butler University’s cam pus and Holcomb Gardens to the east, together creating a transformative pedestrian corridor
To connect this beautiful part of Indianapolis to the surrounding neighborhoods and institutions To create a space for people to engage with multiple forms of spirituality and self-discovery To create a space for people to learn about the city’s many cultures and religions To become a destination for people seeking refuge in a quiet, reflective, peaceful environment To enjoy the wonders of the natural world
Interior of Sweeney Chapel
BACKGROUND & CONTEXT
The CTS Context The Christian Theological Seminary campus is the vision of businessman and philanthropist J. Irwin Miller and the two world-class architects he recruited for the project, Edward Larrabee Barnes and landscape architect Dan Kiley. As such, it is one of the most highly regarded architectural achievements in the Midwest. A masterpiece of mid-century-modern simplicity, the building includes clean geometrical lines, floor-to-ceiling windows, broad and gracious hallways for walking, and a distinctive indoor/outdoor layout engaging both a grand courtyard and the White River Valley. The Spiritual Trail will be an extension of these principles: modern simplicity, clean lines, gracious space for walking, and engagement with the natural world. What’s more, the Spiritual Trail will be an enhancement of the CTS mission to connect with the wider public in Indianapolis and beyond, continuing to transform the CTS campus into a true community asset.
BACKGROUND & CONTEXT
The Neighborhood Context The CTS campus is located in Midtown Indianapolis at the northeast corner of the intersection of Michigan Road and 42nd Street, and extending east to Butler University. The map to the right shows the CTS campus outlined in yellow and the location of several important neighbors in the near vicinity. 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9.
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International School Campus White River Corridor Butler University Campus Butler Tarkington Neighborhood Christian Theological Seminary Campus Central Canal and Canal Towpath Indianapolis Museum of Art and Museum Grounds Golden Hills Neighborhood and Woodstock Golf Club Crown Hill Cemetery
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Other important nearby neighbors include: • • • •
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Light of the World Christian Church (Disciples) Christel DeHaan’s Private Residence IMA’s Virginia Fairbanks 100 Acre Woods Art and Nature Park Indy Greenways White River Trail
1. International School
2. White River Corridor
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Neighborhood location map
3. Butler University
CTS NEIGHBORHOOD
4. Butler-Tarkington Area
SPIRITUAL TRAIL
5. CTS Campus
6. Canal and Canal Trail
7. IMA Grounds
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Sweeney Chapel and the inner courtyard on the Christian Theological Seminary campus
BACKGROUND & CONTEXT
Neighborhood Connectivity The Spiritual Trail can serve as a key connector between these various institutions and constituencies, helping enhance the extent to which this section of the city is a vital, diverse, pedestrian-friendly corridor of nature, the arts, and community life. One of the greatest opportunities for expanded connectivity is the chance to link the Spiritual Trail with the Central Canal Towpath, now over five miles in length with an additional two miles planned. The Towpath connects the Near Northwest-Riverside neighborhood with Broad Ripple Village, and runs through the Wynnedale-Spring Hill, Butler-Tarkington, Meridian Kessler, and SoBro neighborhoods. When the full seven miles are complete, the Towpath will connect with downtown Indianapolis and the city’s larger trail network. Connecting with the Central Canal Towpath is a key to linking the Spiritual Trail with the surrounding neighborhoods, the city, and beyond. The Spiritual Trail could also be linked to two other important trail initiatives. The Spiritual Trail is envisioned as an inspiring spur off of the Art2Art Trail, which was designated as a cultural destination by the city of Indianapolis in 2012. Additionally, the Spiritual Trail has been identified as a crucial piece of the Central Canal connectivity system being planned by the Central Canal Working Group as part of Reconnecting to Our Waterways (ROW). ROW is a popular
citywide grassroots collective impact group focused on improving local residents’ awareness and appreciation for the city’s waterways and associated resources. A final important aspect of Spiritual Trail connectivity is the need to provide safe and accessible street crossings. Michigan Road runs along the western edge of the campus. Pedestrians do not feel safe crossing this street as it is heavily traveled by motorists moving at high rates of speed. Creating safe, accessible street crossings that create walkable links between neighboring Midtown destinations is integral to the long term vision of the Spiritual Trail.
Information provided by focus group participants was collected in many forms, including word clouds. For example, the word cloud above shows the combined response of all focus groups to the question, “Who should be the target audience for the trail?� Because the size of each word represents its frequency of use, word clouds help create a portrait of both the type and importance of the data provided by the focus group conversations.
BACKGROUND & CONTEXT
The Planning Process This Master Plan was developed in conversation with a wide range of neighbors and community stakeholders. Over the winter and early spring of 2015, CTS invited over 130 members of the surrounding community to participate in focus group sessions to explore the idea of the Spiritual Trail. These participants included people from a range of socio-economic backgrounds and perspectives. Three focus group sessions were held to discuss (a) potential uses and features of the Trail, (b) key opportunities and constraints for the Trail, and (c) ideas for the Trail’s primary target audience. Working closely with these focus group participants, CTS has identified and developed the vision and plan for the Spiritual Trail.
Accessible from either end of campus, the Trail will improve connectivity to and through CTS
THE SPIRITUAL TRAIL PLAN
The Plan This Master Plan has been prepared to illustrate the big picture of what is being proposed as part of the Spiritual Trail. The plan includes a possible layout for the trail along with other improvements, including a new bridge, gathering spaces, and landscape renovations. The layout plan is keyed to a series of photos that provide additional context for understanding the type of features and materials that could be developed along the Spiritual Trail. A brief description of each of these numbered items is below.
Physical Features 1. Access to the Spiritual Trail will be provided by literally “opening” the CTS campus through the installation of a breezeway within the existing building doorway, creating an open entry into the beautiful interior courtyard and the bluestone plaza in front of Sweeney Chapel. 2. Pathways and benches, along with additional trees and landscaping, will be installed in the courtyard to create a welcoming environment for trail users and an ideal location for small group gatherings and community events. 3. One of the signature features of the CTS landscape is the long wall running east-west across the northern edge of CTS. The wall is a unique feature that could be upgraded as a trailside seat wall. Simple water features could be incorporated into the wall to underscore the
link between CTS and the Central Canal and White River. 4. The newly renovated CTS Common Room is a spectacular facility offering beautiful views of old growth trees on the river bluff, as well as direct access to the Trail. 5. The CTS Café and newly renovated Café Terrace is located along the Trail, providing a place to pick up a snack or have lunch inside or outdoors on the terrace, or the new deck overlooking the river. 6. A tree-lined pathway will be created, extending west from the terrace. The colonnade of trees would be a tribute to the modern landscape Dan Kiley designed for other areas of the campus. 7. A natural ravine curves back from the waterways below, leading into the heart of the CTS campus. The Spiritual Trail would include a new bridge crossing the ravine, offering a one-of-a-kind experience and vantage point on this unique natural feature and habitat. The bridge itself could serve as a wonderful outdoor science classroom for learning about the role ravines play in natural water purification. 8. Wildflower meadows will be created along the Trail to improve the biodiversity and sustainability of the campus. 9. An existing labyrinth will be renovated and an informal outdoor amphitheater will be created along the existing grassy slope in this western area of the campus. 10. The Spiritual Trail will connect with the Central Canal Towpath, linking to the citywide trail system and nearby local destinations.
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THE SPIRITUAL TRAIL PLAN 1
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The Spiritual Trail is inspired by the journey of life. The trail experience is designed to reflect the path we all travel, from the rough and tumble adventures of youth to the refined appreciation of simple pleasures that comes to us with age. Water features are incorporated into the design of the Spiritual Trail as an aesthetic representation of the stream of life and also to create an important link between the site and the White River and the Canal below. The Spiritual Trail is inspired by the journey of life. The trail experience is designed to reflect the path we all travel, from the rough and tumble adventures of youth to the refined appreciation of simple pleasures that comes to us with age. Water features are incorporated into the design of the Spiritual Trail as an aesthetic representation of the stream of life and also to create an important link between the site and the White River and the Canal below.
SPIRITUAL TRAIL CONCEPTUAL LAYOUT SPIRITUAL TRAIL CONCEPTUAL LAYOUT
The Spiritual Trail is inspired by the journey of life. The trail experience is designed to reflect the path we all travel, from the rough and tumble adventures of youth to the refined appreciation of simple pleasures that comes to us with age. Water features are incorporated into the design of the Spiritual Trail as an aesthetic representation of the stream of life and also to create an important link between the site and the White River and the Canal below.
SPIRITUAL TRAIL CONCEPTUAL LAYOUT 1. Breezeway Access
2. Riverfront Sanctuary
3. Wall and Water
4. Common Room
5. Cafe and Terrace
6. Tree Lined Paths
7. Ravine Bridge
8. Wildflower Meadow
9. Labyrinth
10. Trail Connection
1. Breezeway Access
2. Riverfront Sanctuary
3. Wall and Water
4. Common Room
5. Cafe and Terrace
6. Tree Lined Paths
7. Ravine Bridge
8. Wildflower Meadow
9. Labyrinth
10. Trail Connection
1. Breezeway Access
SPIRITUAL TRAIL SPIRITUAL TRAIL
2. Riverfront Sanctuary
3. Wall and Water
4. Common Room
5. Cafe and Terrace
6. Tree Lined Paths
7. Ravine Bridge
8. Wildflower Meadow
9. Labyrinth
10. Trail Connection
THE SPIRITUAL TRAIL PLAN
Stations Honoring Spiritual Traditions Strategically placed in and among these physical features would be the stations honoring a range of the world’s great spiritual traditions represented in Indianapolis. These stations would be elegantly designed with the modern simplicity and natural materials found throughout the CTS campus. In its own way, each station will provide opportunities to reflect, learn, and engage with the natural world. In a spirit of community building, CTS will collaborate with local communities of faith in the design for each station, helping to ensure the Spiritual Trail is a truly civic space with a widely shared sense of ownership and participation. This collaborative approach extends to each station’s physical design – but also to its ongoing digital storytelling dimension. That is, the spiritual stations would be interactive, providing those walking the Trail with opportunities to record some of their personal perspectives about nature and faith (in, say, a 30-second piece of audio), as well as a way to listen to the perspectives of others who have walked the Trail before them. In effect, this would be a digital version of the sign-in books that are often found along pilgrimage paths all over the world today, a form of community and encouragement among pilgrims. And the fact that
these “books” would be digital means the stories and ideas could also be curated on a website and accessed from anywhere. This also means, of course, that people around the world could virtually “walk” the Spiritual Trail as well. This digital dimension would be accessible through a participant’s own smartphone, as well as through devices loaned out by the Seminary on a temporary basis. For example, at a Jewish station, hear Jewish stories and testimonies, and leave your own message for others to hear. Likewise, at a Muslim station, hear Muslim stories and testimonies; at a Christian station, Christian stories; and so on. These stories would be curated by designated representatives of each faith community, creating a living, breathing, citywide conversation about faith and our common life together. Each spiritual station would be geotagged, allowing access not only to these curated stories but also to more information about the station itself and the spiritual tradition it represents. CTS already has an excellent example of this type of interactivity with its 3D photo of the Pomodoro sculpture accessible via the web. Virtual and in-person pilgrims alike could further explore each spiritual station through an app designed for the Spiritual Trail.
Arnaldo Pomodoro sculpture located on the CTS terrace. To view a 3D photo of the sculpture visit the web at https://photosynth.net/preview/view/5439edcb-22c6-4e519b9c-90ca0da6cdd2)
THE SPIRITUAL TRAIL PLAN
Perspective view of the Spiritual Trail and Spiritual Station
THE SPIRITUAL TRAIL PLAN
The same is true, of course, for the creation of interactive soundscapes and other technology features that could be integrated into the stations and changed over time to provide an even richer experience, or customized to support a special event such as a Peace Walk or other types of programmed pilgrimages. Finally, the digital storytelling dimension of the Trail can be organized thematically in ways that can change over the years ahead. For example, today climate change is a pressing moral issue all of us must confront: Pope Francis has declared that 2015 will be a year he will devote to the issue, and he has already convened many of the world’s leading scientists to advise him. Many of those scientists (some of them nonreligious) have argued that while the science of climate change is now quite clear, the challenge now is for religious communities to take the lead in making the moral and spiritual case for action. Accordingly, imagine a Spiritual Trail on which participants – via the Trail’s digital dimension – can learn about how different spiritual traditions not only understand and value the natural environment, but also encourage and inspire people to work to protect it. Thus the theme of climate change could draw together our city’s religious traditions toward learning, inspiration, and action. Other themes would arise and develop over time. Perhaps most exciting of all, each
theme would create new opportunities for those who walk the Trail to connect with their deepest convictions – and with one another. A perspective image showing how one of the Spiritual Stations might be placed along the trail is provided on the previous page. Each station would be strategically located at a point along the Trail where the natural environment can easily accommodate an outdoor “room” for learning, interaction, and reflection. CTS understands this approach to be genuinely groundbreaking. The Spiritual Trail would be the first of its kind in the country – a digital, interfaith pilgrimage that also functions as an outdoor classroom – and could become a model to be replicated elsewhere. If designed collaboratively through interfaith partnerships for the sake of our neighborhoods, local students, our city, and visitors from afar, we believe the magnetism of this idea would attract people to the Trail for years to come.
View of the connection between the inside of CTS, the outdoors, and the Spiritual Trail
DESIGN & IMPLEMENTATION
Design: An Inside-Out Approach The architectural significance of Edward Larrabee Barnes’s and Dan Kiley’s work is well known. It is obvious to all who enter CTS that they are in a distinctive, special place. Clean modern lines and simple natural materials, punctuated by stunning works of art, create a serene, inspiring atmosphere that promotes learning and reflection. Large windows overlook beautiful courtyards and walkways, creating a seamless link between interior and exterior spaces. Taking cues from these design elements, the Spiritual Trail should be designed as an open-air version of the peaceful environment experienced inside CTS. Using pathways as hallways, trees and the landscape as walls around outdoor rooms, art and amenities to elevate the spirit, and adding places to sit and enjoy quiet time, the Spiritual Trail can be developed as an authentic inside-out translation of the CTS experience. The Spiritual Trail would function as an outdoor classroom – not only for CTS students, but also for members of the broader Indianapolis community and beyond. As such, it is important that green design practices and sustainable materials be used to construct the trail. This is true for the landscape as well, which should focus on the preservation of the White River riparian corridor, the naturalization of the trail landscape, and the use of native plants in an effort to
limit maintenance and promote biodiversity. Interpretive features providing information on unique environmental conditions, plants, views and other important environmental topics should be unobtrusively incorporated. The ravine bridge is an especially important location with great potential for interpretation of the natural history of the area, the role of watersheds and water quality in the environment, wildlife habitat and observation, and a wide range of topics related to climate change. Community connectivity is a fundamental need that the design of the Spiritual Trail will help address. The Trail should be designed to accommodate people of all ages and ability levels. It should be developed as a walking trail with the necessary support facilities and amenities associated with any high quality outdoor public facility. Accordingly, the Trail’s wayfinding system should be simple and easy to read, directing people to the Spiritual Trail and to other amenities and facilities on the CTS campus.
View of the existing courtyard with proposed improvements
DESIGN & IMPLEMENTATION
Implementation: Phases of Development
Momentum Phase
Construction of the Spiritual Trail has been planned in phases. The phases were identified in no particular sequence, but rather to bring complete segments of the trail on line in whatever order is most desirable and as funding permits. The three phases identified are: Momentum, Connection, and Community. A summary of the overall budget established for each phase along with a general list of the proposed Trail features for each phase is provided below. The phasing is designed to be flexible; as the project progresses, the limits and features of each phase may be adjusted.
Budget: $641,800 This phase includes the development of a trailhead and a breezeway entrance to the trail near Sweeney Chapel. The existing courtyard will be improved with the addition of walkways, seating areas, and terraces. A wayfinding system will be installed using the existing walking path on the north side of the campus. The walkway will be upgraded to add additional seating that will provide opportunities to view the waterways.
Connection Phase Budget: $706,700 A new bridge over the ravine will be the centerpiece of this phase of the Spiritual Trail. Native landscaping will be installed and trees will be planted to create a tree-lined walkway in the Dan Kiley tradition. A wayfinding system will be installed, along with seating at points along the way with excellent views, including the gardens beside the Hospitality House.
Native plants and wildflowers will provide habitat and reduce maintenance
Community Phase
Spiritual Stations
Budget: $1,247,400 The Trail will extend further west to a point of connection with the Canal Towpath and another trailhead located near the Interchurch Center. A wildflower meadow will be installed and the existing labyrinth will be renovated. An informal amphitheater will be created on the existing sloped hillside. Improvements along and across Michigan Road will also be made to create the connection with the Canal Towpath and safe roadway crossings for pedestrians and bicyclists. A wayfinding system will be installed.
Budget: $50,000 - $100,000 (These costs are included in the budgets for the three phases) The spiritual stations will be created to evoke the same sense of peace as is experienced throughout the CTS campus. Development of each station would include creation of an outdoor “room� with specialty paving, benches and landscaping, structural enclosures, interpretive art, and an integrated suite of technology to create a multi-sensory experience for those who wish to engage and reflect. Each station is envisioned to be similar in overall style with a unique centerpiece and a customizable technology palette. The cost of developing each station could vary greatly depending on the type of customization.