$5 Million Grant to Fund the Buffalo Trace Trail Project, Connecting Pike County Residents to History and Wellness
Community Foundation Alliance, in conjunction with Pike County Community Foundation, has received a grant of $5 million from Lilly Endowment Inc. through the competitive Community Leadership Implementation Grants component of the eighth phase of its Giving Indiana Funds for Tomorrow (GIFT VIII) initiative. This is one of 30 implementation grants awarded through GIFT VIII, a statewide Lilly Endowment initiative designed to support the efforts of community foundations and their partners to strengthen the quality of life for the people in the towns, cities, counties, and regions they serve.
With the grant, Pike County Community Foundation, an affiliate foundation of the Community Foundation Alliance, Inc. will collaborate with the City of Petersburg, Pike County Commissioners, and Pike County Progress Partners, Inc. on the Buffalo Trace Trail project. The Buffalo Trace Trail project presents an opportunity to create a vibrant gateway and connect residents with the rich history of Pike County. This 2.5-mile trail connects to the 5-mile fitness path in Petersburg, extending safe walking paths and community accessibility.
The project will also include public art welcoming the community and highlighting cultural and recreational features along the path. Indiana University’s Center for Rural Engagement will lead the development of public art installations, incorporating community input to create meaningful and culturally resonant pieces.
Jill Carpenter, President and CEO of the Community Foundation Alliance, said, “Ultimately, the Buffalo Trace Trail project is a vital step in creating a more thriving, connected, and attractive community in Petersburg and Pike County, contributing to the area's growth and positioning it as a desirable place to live for current and future residents.”
The project’s timeline spans three years, with trail construction, public art development, and blight removal occurring at the same time. This initiative aims to reshape the community through collaboration, community engagement, and thoughtful development.
The art installations along the trail will serve as a tribute to the region’s rich history, creating a vibrant atmosphere that fosters pride among residents, workers, and visitors alike. The goal is to build a welcoming, family-friendly environment that promotes health, wellness, and connection.
Blight removal will play a pivotal role in transforming Petersburg, attracting new families to the area who will enjoy the benefits of the Buffalo Trace Trail. As the community grows, both the population and the assessed property values in Petersburg and Pike County are expected to rise. This influx of residents will help revitalize the area, enhancing the community and contributing to the economic vitality of the region.
The completed trail will become a central amenity, offering safe access to key community resources, such as Somebody’s Place food and clothing bank, the American Legion Little League Park, The Zone Fitness Center, Amber Manor Care Center, and Deaconess Health Clinic.
Quality of life improvements have been a central focus for Petersburg and Pike County community leaders over the past decade. With strong local collaboration, the Buffalo Trace Trail will be a lasting asset for Pike County, boosting the area's appeal, sense of community, and quality of life.
In 1990, Lilly Endowment launched the Giving Indiana Funds for Tomorrow (GIFT) initiative to help establish and further develop community foundations throughout Indiana. Lilly Endowment hoped that Indiana’s community foundations could enhance the quality of life in their communities by convening conversations among people of diverse ages, socioeconomic backgrounds, occupations, races, and cultural traditions about their communities’ most compelling needs and opportunities, as well as the best ways to address them.









