Indy Parks has developed a master plan with several goals in mind: developing a future parks system that is in line with industry standards, developing a solid funding source, developing the system as an economic tool and meeting residents’ needs.
In working toward those goals, public input was gathered through the website PlanIndyParks.com and 11 public meetings held throughout the city in March. As part of the Parks and Recreation Open Space Planning process, residents were asked for their thoughts on needs in Indy Parks with directed questions. Other vested parties included community stakeholders and Indy Parks staff.
“We want to get past the posturing and politicizing of activities and find out what needs to be done,” said Milton Thompson, attorney and principal of Grand Slam III LLC, the firm that conducted stakeholder interviews, focus groups and the plan’s public forums. “This is a data-driven plan, and the information we are giving is exactly from our community based on high-priority needs and unmet needs and how we should fill those gaps.”
Indy Parks recently presented their Comprehensive Master Plan survey results and recommendations from the cross-section of Indianapolis residents who participated in the public input process.
Thompson assures data was thoroughly gathered from a diverse array of respondents. He also wants the public to know the parks department is not broken, but needs enhancements.
The survey revealed usage of the parks’ more than 10,000 acres has increased and with that, so have residents’ expectations. Through the survey, residents stated they want more biking and walking trails, picnic areas and small neighborhood parks.
Residents also expressed a desire for more adult, senior citizen and swimming programs, especially for minority youth. Indoor fitness and exercise facilities and community centers were also on residents’ lists of desires.
Although survey participants had a wish list for Indy Parks, they made it clear that Indy Parks needed to consistently and adequately maintain what is currently available before making any additions. And though they asked for more choices, respondents didn’t want existing programs, parks, services and amenities taken away.
Generally, respondents’ needs were similar despite where they lived, but survey administrators noted some needs varied based on township. For example, after-school programs were a higher need in Center Township than in other townships.
“I was pleasantly surprised to find out how much people care for the system. Overall, participants wanted access to multi-use, multi-generational opportunities. It wasn’t about teens go here or seniors go there. It’s how does the community come together,” said Neelay Bhatt, vice president of PROS Consulting Inc., the company selected to lead the initiative for the parks department due to their local presence and experience developing comprehensive plans for parks systems nationwide.
Andre Denman, principal park planner and greenways manager, said the greenways plan was updated last year, and connectivity was also a desire of respondents.
“As Indianapolis continues to grow from a big town to a major city, we have to meet the needs of all of our users,” said Denman. “Everybody might think all African-Americans want to play basketball, but we also like to ride bikes or do yoga; some kids like ballet. It’s not a one-box-checks-all type of thing.”
The parks department’s budget has steadily been cut, therefore those at the Indy Parks helm are looking for creative ways — such as partnerships and fusing Indy Parks improvements into existing neighborhood development plans — to fund consumers’ needs. Stakeholders, such as Visit Indy and the Indianapolis Chamber of Commerce, have also been charged with actively supporting the Indy Parks master plan.
“Public safety gobbles up more and more of the budget. But as it turns out, part of the public safety response is in parks. Parks and recreation create a safety net,” said Thompson, an Indianapolis native who grew up playing sports in Riverside Park.
Cynthia Gardner, president and CEO of Gardner Consulting, a women business enterprise involved with creation of the Master Plan, encourages the public to continue to be invested in the plan.
“(Blacks) know our community’s special needs. Everyone should have an opportunity for equal access to resources like green space, programming, recreation or even summer jobs. This could be a way to leverage that for our community,” said Gardner.
This data serves as a starting point for further plans and recommendations. Once plans are finalized, information will be taken to the parks committee of the City-County Council, then presented to the full council for a vote.
“Next year we hope to start implementation,” said Bhatt.
For more information on the Indy Parks Master Plan, call (317) 327-5725 or visit planindyparks.com.
