$8 Million Going To Indy Parks

A grant from the Lilly Endowment is helping pay for upgrades to parks around Indianapolis.

The goal is to not only attract more people to the parks, but start building lives in the neighborhoods around them.

Terrie Peterson and her three kids come to Haughville Park on Indianapolis’ near west side almost daily, especially in the summer. And, she says as a mother, it’s important to have parks as an outlet for her children.

"I don't make a lot of money, so it helps me out.  My kids are somewhere safe.  They get to have fun and go places and do things," she said.  "It's great.  We'll get our bikes out, I can't go as far as the kids can, but I can come and sit at the park and they can ride all around the park and be tired by the time we make it home."

Occasionally there are fights and unwelcomed visitors, but for the most part, Peterson -- who lives less than a block from the Haughville -- says the neighborhood takes pride in the park and it's a welcoming environment.

And now, the park is going to getting a facelift which Indianapolis Parks Foundation Chair Kevin Osburn says will hopefully attract more families.

"It's all about economic development and improvements in our city," he said.  "What people want when they move to our neighborhoods, they want park spaces.  They want to know there is going to be a place where their kids can play safely and really that's what this is all about."

And he says the whole city suffers if young families don’t have parks to call their own.

"Without that, it's going to be really hard to not only attract those families, but retain those families," Osburn said, "and if we are not retaining those families, we are not building our tax base, if we are not building our tax base, we are not increasing our revenues as a city to be able to operate as a successful and major American metropolitan area."

Various companies including IPL, the Pacers and United Water are giving $8 million dollars for more than 40 upgrade projects at 16 Marion County parks.

Some of the improvements also will be paid for through a $10 million grant the Lilly Endowment gave the city in 2012.

It’s the largest single gift in the 20 year history of the Indianapolis Parks Foundation.

Construction is already underway at Haughville. It includes installation of a new parking lot and shelter and upgrading its water spray ground and playground equipment.

Others parks will have renovations to restrooms, basketball courts, and irrigation systems.

Parks Foundation President Lori Hazlett says the more modern amenities there are in a park, the more likely people are to use them.

"It's somewhere free to go.  So, if you wake up in the morning and want to take a walk, you can walk in a park.  If you want to go and play on a playground, you can play on a playground," she said.  "Once neighbors are out, they get to know other neighbors and you realize what is your community, who is your community."

And she says previous investments in upgrading city parks are showing positive returns.

"In the parks that we've already gone into with past funding with past funders, it has transformed parks," said Hazlett.  "When you bring in the new amenities and families feel safer to come in, the bad stuff gets pushed out and the good stuff stays."

The parks chosen range from 5 to 27 acres. Hazlett says some will have to shut down for several days for construction, but all the projects are expected to be finished by the end of 2016.