(FORT WAYNE) - The Miami Nation plans to turn 22 acres along the St. Marys River into a public park with walking trails and space for cultural education.
The undeveloped property at 4900 De Forest Avenue sits along the river's west bank near the tribe's existing Waynedale property, where events including Miami Indian Heritage Days are held.
The tribe announced Tuesday that the land had been placed into federal trust after approval of a non-gaming fee-to-trust application.
Fort Wayne resident and philanthropist Brian Johnson donated the property to the Miami Nation in 2014 after researching its history.
The land was once part of the Richardville Reserve. The federal government granted the property to Miami Chief John B. Richardville in 1818, according to the tribe. The Miami Nation was forced from the land in 1846.
Johnson said learning that history convinced him the property should be returned to the tribe.
The Miami Nation is now based in Oklahoma, but maintains strong ties to the Fort Wayne area. Those connections include Chief Richardville's historic home on Bluffton Road and a local cultural center serving enrolled tribal citizens.
Miami Chief Doug Lankford said the donated land will benefit both the tribe and the Fort Wayne community for generations.
The tribe did not announce a construction timeline. A spokesperson said the Miami Nation only recently secured the resources needed to begin clearing invasive plants and preparing the property for development.