Ellenberger Park receives improvements at MLK day of service

An annual volunteer project brings a $100,000 investment to an east side park. For the past 15 years, Citizens Energy Group has picked a parks project for the Sharing a Dream event.  The service days honor the life and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. 

This year more than 100 volunteers will spend two days fixing the family center at Ellenberger Park. The work comes in the same week that Lilly Endowment announced an historic $80 million gift to Indy Parks.

Indy Parks Director Phylis Boyd said the past few years have brought a greater appreciation for the importance of parks.

“Not just for everyday enjoyment of nature and play but really when you don’t have places to get together parks become vital places for connecting communities,” Boyd said.

The improvements to the main facility include new community space, restrooms, concessions, murals and exterior building work.

Citizens CEO Jeff Harrison said the volunteer event is part of the organization's mission to help improve communities.

“We think the parks department does a great job of that and renovating these parks is really a way to give back,” Harrison said.

Contact WFYI city government and policy reporter Jill Sheridan at jsheridan@wfyi.org. Follow on Twitter: @JillASheridan.