Consisting of approximately .98 acres and established in 1995, Bloch Cancer Survivors Park was located at 985 Indiana Ave until December 2017, when the sculptural elements were removed and placed in storage. The move had been anticipated for the previous five years, when it was determined that the cost to repair the deteriorating site would exceed the cost to move and reinstall it. It is anticipated that the park will be reconstructed on Indianapolis’ north side.
At the time of the ... view more »
Consisting of approximately .98 acres and established in 1995, Bloch Cancer Survivors Park was located at 985 Indiana Ave until December 2017, when the sculptural elements were removed and placed in storage. The move had been anticipated for the previous five years, when it was determined that the cost to repair the deteriorating site would exceed the cost to move and reinstall it. It is anticipated that the park will be reconstructed on Indianapolis’ north side.
At the time of the original dedication it was one of the first parks established by Richard and Annette Bloch; Richard Bloch was a 24-year cancer survivor and the pair donated millions of dollars through the R. A. Bloch Cancer Foundation (now the Richard and Annette Bloch Family Foundation) to cities so they could build 25 similar parks in the U.S. and Canada. The goal in constructing the parks was to communicate that cancer is survivable, that fighting cancer is possible, and that a cancer diagnosis should not inspire fear. The parks were constructed by the Bloch Foundation until 2012. The Bloch Family Foundation continues to provide assistance to help people coping with cancer.
There are three identical elements in each of the Cancer Survivors Parks: a ‘positive mental attitude walk’ with 14 bronze plaques; a sculpture of eight life-size bronze figures passing through a maze representing cancer treatment; and a “Road to Recovery” path consisting of seven plaques explaining what cancer is and basic actions to successfully overcome the disease. Beyond these elements, every Cancer Survivors Park is different and conforms to the nature of the site and the community in which it is located.
The figurative sculptures in the Cancer Survivors Park were designed by the Mexican artist Victor Salmones in 1989 and are collectively entitled Cancer… There’s Hope. They represent the last commissioned works by the artist, who died of cancer shortly after completing the original models. The sculptures are cast bronze.
The Indianapolis park, which was the fifth to be built, received two 1996 Monumental Awards: a merit award for community development, and an achievement award for downtown development. The park is owned by the Indianapolis Parks Foundation.
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