Carol Johnson | Southern Indiana Business Report
MONTGOMERY – On a picture perfect day in downtown Montgomery, a quote on a colorful mural set the tone – “Let’s make history.”
Friday marked the dedication of the town’s new Montgomery Park, a project that began in 2025 after town leaders worked with Indiana University’s Center for Rural Engagement’s Sustaining Hoosier Communities program to develop a vision for turning an empty gravel parking lot into a focal point and place where the community could gather.
The park features ample green space and walkways, a gazebo, fountain and large fir tree that the town will string with lights for Christmas.
“It definitely exceeded our expectations,” said Doug Meiring, member of the Montgomery Town Council. “I think it’s going to spur some growth. We think it’s something that can attract some visitors and businesses.”
The town used the Indiana Housing and Community Development Authority’s CreatINg Places program to crowdfund $50,000 for the park. That amount was matched by the IHCDA, giving the town $100,000 for the project. Other grants and donations followed. Montgomery Town Council President Mike Healy said the town received about $160,000 for the park. Because of several in-kind donations, the actual park investment, he said, was much higher.
For example, DC Metals built and donated the gazebo, Mike James donated his design services and JJ’s Concrete gave an in-kind donation.
“People in Montgomery are generous and they like to do things,” Healy said. “I looked at this lot for 39 years and the best I could come up with was to pave it. The kids from the Center for Rural Engagement came down and looked at it and they came back with story boards and we went with it.”
With several food trucks on site, a large crowd gathered for the dedication.
“This brings the community together. It’s going to be a great venue for some of their events,” said Marilyn McCullough, member of the Daviess County Council. “It’s beautiful and it’s such a transformation. For this small town to be able to do this and everyone enjoying the food trucks, it’s awesome.”
One of the grants the town received was from the Indiana Arts Commission. Anne Johansson, community services manager for the IAC, attended the dedication.
“It’s cool to see this park come together,” Johansson said. “One of our goals is to make sure every county in Indiana is funded in some way by the Indiana Arts Commission.”
Grants for the project were received from Montgomery Ruritan Club, Indiana Arts Commission, Daviess County Arts and Culture Alliance, Daviess County Visitors Center, Daviess County Economic Development and AARP.
