Part of Indianapolis Monument Circle will close to traffic for return of temporary park

Spark on the Circle is returning to downtown Indianapolis’ Monument Circle in 2024, turning the roundabout into a temporary park, with synthetic turf, activities, seating and food and beverage offerings.

This year, though, the fun will be moved from the southwest quadrant to the northwest section of the Circle.

That means no cars on that part of the street.

It’s an initiative of Downtown Indy Inc., the Indianapolis Department of Metropolitan Development and Big Car Collaborate with free programming that includes live music; games; and arts and culture opportunities.

They’re going bigger this year, with the park opening a month earlier and expanding programming into evening hours.

The park activates one month earlier for 2024, running June 1-Nov. 3, and starting at 11 a.m. each day.

And a modified version of Spark on the Circle will remain open past Nov. 3 to complement the holiday season and The Downtown Indy Inc. Circle of Lights.  Each Saturday and Sunday after the Circle of Lights opening ceremony, the park will feature holiday programming while allowing vehicular traffic to access the roundabout.

More than 78,000 visited the park in 2023, the first time the area was blocked to motor vehicles, organizers said.

Its move this year accommodates the current construction at the base of the Soldiers & Sailors Monument.

The Original Farmers’ Market will operate on the southwest quadrant for the 2024 season, due to renovations at the Indianapolis City Market.

For information, visit https://circlespark.org/.

Contact IndyStar reporter Cheryl V. Jackson at [email protected] or 317-444-6264. Follow her on X: @cherylvjackson.

This article originally appeared on Indianapolis Star: Spark on the Circle returns for a longer stay in 2024