Indy Parks Looking for Public Input

click on photo to expand

Concerned residents gathered at Krannert Park to make their concerns known.

Photo by Linda Karn

(posted Mar 1)

Approximately 55 people attended the Indianapolis Department of Parks and Recreation Comprehensive and Plan and Greenways Master Plan meeting at Krannert Park to develop a five year plan to update the parks and programs. The March 1 meeting was one of the first of the nine different township meetings to collect public input. Among those in attendance wwer State Representative Phil Hinkle and Indianapolis City County Councilor Janice McHenry. Hinkle said he was just there to listen since he lives in the township.

Resident Merri Anderson encouraged residents to make their voices heard about the need for parks and their importance to quality of life. "Parks are the first for budget cuts and the last place the money comes back," she said.

She reminded the audience that they almost lost the parks to privatization in 1997 under Mayor Goldsmith's administration, stating that nothings says it can't happen again. Anderson was one of the instrumental Wayne Township residents that saved Thatcher Park from privatization.

Jo Coleman of the Eagledale Neighborhood Association said she is supportive of the parks, but she did not mind if trail development slowed down during budget crunch times.

Resident John Hale asked the parks department to buy the abandon Westwood County Club and return it to its glory days of a community center. The property could also serve as trail head to the B & O Trail which is on the northern border of the club.

Bev Alexander of the Speedway Trail Association said the Speedway group is making strives to develop the B & O Trail. She invited people to participate in the April 19 Diamond in the Rough event to raise trail awareness.

Joseph Wynns, director of Indy Parks, said it is important to work with the excluded cities to link the linear trails.

Karina Straub of Indy Greenways explained that the B & O Trail is also part of the state's vision to develop the trail systems so that every resident in state is located within 15 minutes of a trail.

Richard Feeley wanted more mountain bike trails other than Town Run Park. He felt that Indianapolis had a "resistance" toward mountain bike development. Feeley requested a mountain bike trail be built at Eagle Creek.

Donald Colvin of Indy Greenways said that the next mountain bike trail will be at Southwestway Park to see how it blends in with the equestrian trails and other park uses. "We are testing it down there," he said. Colvin explained that it is difficult to place mountain bike paths in urban setting parks, especially at Eagle Creek because it is labeled a "passive recreational park." Mountain bikers cannot interfere with the nature trails.

Wynns explained economic strategic uses of the land need to be examined. He said there is discussion of building a conference center Eagle Creek to bring in additional revenue, so a mountain bike path might not be the best use of the land.

Wynns also explained the funds raised from DPW recycling bins that are located at each of the parks are expected to be dedicated to the parks' budgets. Wynns also discussed that the parks' neighborhood advisory groups can become a fund raising arm to the park system providing they become a 501 c 3. However, the advisory group's main function is to represent the local neighborhood and to keep the parks department apprised about neighborhood changes.

Colvin explained the information collected at the township meetings will be reviewed with follow up meetings to be scheduled for the fall.