Today, White River State Park is a favorite place for many residents and visitors of Indianapolis. However, it has taken much organization and work to create the park you see today. In fact, for many years, residents and visitors to Indianapolis didn't even realize that there was a river downtown, and they certainly didn't expect any development of the riverfront.

The Indiana General Assembly created the White River State Park Development Commission in 1979. As part of a quasi-governmental agency separate from the state park system and Department of Natural Resources, the Park Commission was given the greatest flexibility and latitude in purchasing the land and in thinking "outside the box."

During the first several years of existence the park focused on the acquisition of property and coordinating the rerouting of Washington Street. Land acquisition was funded by the State and a $5 million gift from Lilly Endowment. The street was moved using highway funds and federally subsidized local relocation funds.

The first attraction was the Indianapolis Zoo. This organization signed a letter of intent in 1982, broke ground in 1985 and welcomed their first visitors in June 1988. The Eiteljorg Museum openend the following year in November 1999.

The Park then went through a long period of discovery as they tried to find the most appropriate use for the remaining land, particularly the riverbank. Everything was considered, including an amusement and water park. During this period, four civic leaders, Michael Carroll, John Weliever, Frank McKinney, Jr. and the Park's executive director Robert Welch, were killed in an airplane accident while traveling to Columbus, Ohio on Park business. This created a void that was not filled for two years.

In March of 1994, a joint announcement by the Governor, Mayor and Lilly Endowment showed a renewed commitment to the Park. An executive director was named and the commitment to develop and provide an infrastructure for the Park was made. It was also announced that an IMAX 3D theater would be built. The infrastructure was an important step. No one really thought of themselves as being in a Park. The infrastructure including the canal, pedestrian bridge linking the zoo with other attractions, Celebration Plaza, and amphitheater were created. The money to pay for this infrastructure was part of a unique partnership between governments, federal, city, state, and the private sector. Our Congressmen and women have worked tirelessly to help fund the Corps of Engineers' work. The city and state matched the federal funds.

With this renewed effort to the Park, other attractions began to fall into place. It is now governed by the White River State Park Development Commission, composed of the Mayor of the City of Indianapolis, the President of Indiana University, and the Director of the Department of Natural Resources, as well as seven citizens appointed by the Governor for four year staggered terms. The Commission also has four non-voting members of the legislature.