Community invited to give suggestions on the future of parks
INDIANAPOLIS (WISH) – Indianapolis leaders want to hear from the community about what you would like to see more of in neighborhood parks.
They’re hoping local residents will give feedback on what they’d like to see for the future of city parks at several public meetings. It’s part of the Indy Parks, Recreation and Open Space Master Plan.
Officials are conducting surveys and research to try to figure out the best way to make sure Indy’s park system is something that will be used and appreciated. They hosted several meetings last week and will host several meetings this week in different townships throughout the city. Every five years, the department takes a look at the system, the program, the facilities, what’s working and what could be improved upon.
This year they’re holding these stakeholder meetings in hopes of getting community feedback.
“Having thriving parks is a foundation for having thriving communities,” explained Lesley Gordon, director of communications for the Indianapolis Parks Department. “Being able to have a place where people can go, whether it be for exercise, recreation, camaraderie, a resource for their neighborhood, safe place in their neighborhood, is extremely important.”
The meetings are especially important, they say, as demographics and needs of each community change over the years – as people move in and out, and kids grow up in the neighborhood.
This project is set to last 10 months, and they’re hoping to have it completed by December 2015.
There are two public meetings Monday evening, both from 6:30 p.m. to 8 p.m. One will be held in Warren Township at the World Sports Park at 1313 S. Post Road, and the other will be held in Lawrence Township at the Sterrett Center on 8950 Otis Ave.
Tuesday and Wednesday there are meetings planned in Center Township, Pike Township and Perry Township.
Click here to see details on all the meetings, and here to see how you can give input online if you can’t make the remaining meetings.