Village roundabout named ‘International Roundabout of the Year’

Story originally appeared on Fox 59

One of Carmel’s picturesque roundabouts has been honored as the world’s most beautiful, earning the title “International Roundabout of the Year” by the UK Roundabout Appreciation Society. The announcement was made today in London.

The roundabout is located on Horseferry Road, just south of Main Street, within the Village of West Clay and features a beautifully landscaped roundabout with a fountain in the center and manicured hedges amid a sea of green. It sits in the middle of Jackson Circle, one of the many visual amenities in the Village, which was designed and built by Brenwick Development.

“The roundabout in Carmel is beautiful and unlike most cities in the U.S., Carmel truly embraces its roundabouts,” said Kevin Beresford, president of the UK Roundabout Appreciation Society. The British newspaper The Telegraph called the roundabout “a rather splendid gyratory.”

The roundabout will be prominently featured on the cover of a calendar produced annually by the Society, featuring 11 other roundabouts that were also nominated for the honor of most beautiful. This is the second consecutive year a Carmel roundabout has been featured. Last year, the roundabout at 4th and Main Street was among the 12 featured in the calendar.

“We are very pleased to be honored by the UK Roundabout Appreciation Society as having the world’s most beautiful roundabout this year. We work hard in Carmel and take great pride in creating beautiful landscapes throughout our city; from our domed, European style Palladium concert hall in City Center to the architectural styles and charming amenities of our Arts & Design District – and of course, our 97 roundabouts, each one adorned with a variety of unique landscaping elements,” said Carmel Mayor Jim Brainard. “Roundabouts are not only functional for moving traffic and keeping motorists safe, they are also opportunities to enhance the beauty of our daily drives, lift the spirits of our residents and hopefully inspire all of us to pay attention to elements of design and architecture no matter what we create.”

Carmel is home to more roundabouts than any city in the United States, currently with 97 and more under construction this year. The city anticipates celebrating the completion of its 100th roundabout later this year.