The Town of Plainfield closed on 1,800 acres of land in 2018 near the Indianapolis International Airport (IND). The Indianapolis Airport Authority announced their interest in selling the land in 2015 as part of their Land Use Initiative to return non-aviation land back to the surrounding communities and local tax rolls. Nearly three years later, the Town of Plainfield took control of the land with a vision of a world-class conservation area, while also achieving adjacent economic development.
The Town of Plainfield paid for the land, which includes protected wetland areas as well as critical habitats for the endangered Indiana Brown Bat and other animal and plant species. The land included the Sodalis Nature Park, which features nature trails, picnic areas and a 5.5-acre pond for public use. Ever since the Town acquired the land, there has been interest inn improving the recreational amenities in the area.
While more than 1,700 acres of the land is protected and reserved for conservation, more than 140 acres is unrestricted and available for other uses.