Photo courtesy of Jason R Greene Photography.
As Loogootee Mayor Brian Ader stood on a hot summer evening, looking out at the annual Summerfest, his attention was drawn to the new Downtown Park Pavilion filled with kids laughing and playing, adults dancing, and families gathered together enjoying this snapshot of summer.
This is what the Pavilion was built for: bringing the community together to enjoy their city.
Summerfest kicked off with the ribbon-cutting ceremony of the new Pavilion. With only one city park in its community, Loogootee officials developed a plan to add another outdoor recreational space to enhance the downtown area and allow for more community activities and events. The Indiana Uplands READI steering committee, ROI, and the Indiana Economic Development Corporation awarded $225,000 in READI 1.0 funding to help activate the park plan.
With limited park space before, there was no central spot where people could gather outdoors downtown. According to Ader, the Pavilion has breathed new life into the heart of downtown Loogootee.
“People have said it makes downtown feel more vibrant and alive. We’ve heard from residents who grew up here saying it’s the nicest public addition they’ve seen in decades,” he said.
“It’s not just a structure; it’s a space where people connect, relax, and celebrate. You see families walking downtown more, kids riding bikes around it, and folks enjoying live music or just sitting and chatting. It’s made our downtown feel more like a true community hub.”
“On quieter days, I love seeing people simply sitting there with a cup of coffee or enjoying a book. That peaceful, everyday use is just as special as the big events,” Ader added.
To create a vibrant gathering place in the heart of the community, the City of Loogootee used READI funds to transform a vacant surface lot into a welcoming green space. The area now features an open-roofed pavilion, sidewalks, benches, lighting, trees, and other amenities designed for connection and celebration. Live music from Summerfest filled the air from the new Pavilion stage all weekend long.
From farmers markets to outdoor movie nights to holiday events, ideas continue to roll in for how the community can use the Pavilion all year round.
“For a city like Loogootee, where relationships and traditions run deep, having a shared space like this strengthens those bonds. It gives us a place to come together, make memories, and welcome visitors in a meaningful way,” Ader said.
“This Pavilion is more than a venue—it’s become a symbol of our pride, unity, and vision for the future.”
For Ader, the Pavilion represents how small cities can accomplish big projects when everyone works together.
“The Pavilion isn’t just a win for Loogootee—it’s a model for how rural communities can invest in shared spaces that bring people together,” Ader said.
“With the support of our partners through the READI grant and the Indiana Uplands region, we were able to dream a little bigger. We hope this inspires other towns to invest in their downtowns and in their people. This Pavilion is a testament to what can happen when community, creativity, and collaboration come together.”
Tina Peterson, President and CEO of Regional Opportunity Initiatives, echoed that sentiment, noting the broader regional impact:
“The transformation of this once-vacant lot into a vibrant green space is a powerful example of how READI funding is enhancing quality of life and helping Indiana Uplands communities become places where people want to live, work, invest, and gather,” Peterson said.
“Loogootee’s new downtown space is more than a beautification project—it’s an investment in community life. From Summerfest to everyday moments shared with neighbors, this project will attract visitors and residents, and enhance connections for years to come.”