River Ridge Development Authority Helps Grow Chapel Lake Park
October 27, 2025
RRDA donates equipment and personnel for community tree planting at park built on land it originally gifted to the city
Jeffersonville, IN – The River Ridge Development Authority (RRDA) joined community members and city officials on Friday for a tree planting event at Chapel Lake Park, reaffirming its commitment to supporting environmental sustainability and community development throughout the region.
As part of the effort, RRDA donated the equipment needed to plant 15 trees near the disc golf course. The event brought together city staff, volunteers, and partners to enhance one of Jeffersonville’s most scenic public spaces.
Chapel Lake Park sits on land originally donated by the River Ridge Development Authority, making this latest contribution a meaningful continuation of RRDA’s long-standing investment in the community.
“This project represents what River Ridge is all about—building for the future while strengthening our communities,” said Marc Hildenbrand, Executive Director of the River Ridge Development Authority. “We’re proud to continue supporting Chapel Lake Park and to help create spaces where families and neighbors can come together.”
"The trees planted were paid for through an ongoing program that allows developers the option to omit a portion of their required landscaping by paying a fee to the City,” said Chad Reischl, AICP, Jeffersonville’s Director of Planning and Zoning. “We then use this money to plant trees in our parks and public spaces where they are most wanted."
“The City of Jeffersonville past investments in quality-of-life amenities attract residents and visitors to our parks. Opening the disc golf course last year was one of our latest commitments to Chapel Lake Park, and the addition of trees in the parking area creates a more serene setting for the area.”
The new trees planted last week will add beauty, shade, and long-term environmental benefits to the park, ensuring that Chapel Lake remains a vibrant and welcoming destination for the community.
About the River Ridge Development Authority
The River Ridge Development Authority (RRDA) manages the River Ridge Commerce Center, a 6,000-acre business and office park established in 1998 to replace lost economic activity from the closure of the Indiana Army Ammunition Plant. Today, River Ridge is home to more than 80 companies such as Amazon, Meta, Canadian Solar, Collins Aerospace, Medline, and PharmaCord. Onsite employment totaled more than 12,675 in 2024, and the Commerce Center produced a record-breaking economic impact for the region. The investments and growth at River Ridge earned the RRDA the International Economic Development Council’s2020 Gold Award for Real Estate Redevelopment and Reuse.