6AM City In-house

$80 million for 42 Indy Parks and Rec 🛝

$80 million in grants to improve 42 Indy parks
A wooden sign amid spring flowers in the park
We love the combination of design + function on these signs. | Rendering via Browning Day
ICYMI — Indy Parks is set to receive $80 million in grants from the Lilly Endowment.

The money will go toward playground upgrades in 18 small parks, trail improvements, park-based programming, and a contingency fund to offset unpredictable supply chain issues.

But which parks are getting upgrades and what will some of those new additions look like? We decided to dig a little deeper into some of the projects that will run through 2025.

Riverside Regional Park, 2420 E. Riverside Dr.

The city has secured more than $6.5 million for the adventure park and promenade and is seeking $11.55 million in funding for the nature zone, new trails, river zone, racing zone, and the Taggart Memorial Playground. The new Riverside Park will offer facilities for Soap Box Derby racing, outdoor entertainment venues, boating activities, and multi-use trails.

Eagle Creek Park, 7840 W. 56th St.

This park, which just celebrated its 50th birthday in 2022, will use its share totaling $2.6 million towards proposed accessibility upgrades for the Pin Oak Trail near the Earth Discovery Center, additional community program engagement, and the development of a documentary about the park’s history.

INDY_Map of Indy Parks Lilly Endowment grants_JAN2023

This map shows all 42 parks receiving Lilly Endowment funds.

Photo by City of Indianapolis via Google Maps

Holliday Park, 6363 Springmill Rd.

The 94-acre park — home to the iconic Ruins, a 13,000-sqft nature center, and 3.5+ miles of trails — will receive $1.5 million. The city is requesting an additional $3 million for playground improvements, signage, walkway upgrades, and gazebo maintenance.

Major Taylor Skatepark, 3649 Cold Spring Rd.

This is big news for Indy’s skating community. The city is requesting $750,000 to expand the popular skate park and add LED sports lighting to extend its operational hours.

Garfield Park, 2345 Pagoda Dr.

Indianapolis’ oldest park is being granted $5.5 million to improve the pagoda, playgrounds, and sunken garden fountains.

Check out the complete list of 42 parks getting grants from Lilly Endowment.
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Thursday, Jan. 12
  • 32nd Annual Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Indiana Holiday Celebration | Thursday, Jan. 12 | 12-1:30 p.m. | Indiana Statehouse, 200 W. Washington St., Indianapolis | Free | Join the Indiana Civil Rights Commission to honor Dr. King’s life and legacy with an awards ceremony acknowledging four individuals for their contributions to the state.
Friday, Jan. 13
  • Indiana Pacers vs. Atlanta Hawks | Friday, Jan. 13 | 7 p.m. | Gainbridge Fieldhouse, 125 S. Pennsylvania St., Indianapolis | $9-$214 | Can the Pacers keep up their six-game home winning streak?
Saturday, Jan. 14
  • Greater Indianapolis Garage Sale | Saturday, Jan. 14-Sunday, Jan. 15 | 9 a.m.-6 p.m. | Indiana State Fairgrounds, 1202 E. 38th St., Indianapolis | $4-$5 | Indy’s bargain hunter’s paradise is back with over 600 booths in two pavilions, offering a plethora of items at rock bottom prices.
Sunday, Jan. 15
  • Posh Winter Bridal Show | Sunday, Jan. 15 | 12-4 p.m. | 502 East Event Centre, 502 E. Carmel Dr. | $10 | Engaged couples and guests will find every product, service, and vendor they need to plan a wedding all in one place.
  • R&B Ain’t Dead | Sunday, Jan. 15 | 3 p.m. | The Vogue Theatre, 6259 N. College Ave., Indianapolis | $10-$20 | Dance along to R&B hits of the 80s, 90s, and today at this day party.
Monday, Jan. 16

We have a calendar filled with events and activities you can plan for in advance. Click the button below to bookmark ideas for upcoming date nights, family outings, and time with friends.

100+ MORE EVENTS
6AM City In-house

Weather
  • 48º | Rain | 90% chance of rain
  • Comet C/2022 E3 (ZTF) reaches its closest point to the sun today, Jan. 12. For your best odds of catching this once-in-600-lifetimes spectacle, watch northwestern dark skies during the Saturday, Jan. 21 new moon or on the night of Wednesday, Feb. 1, when it’s closest to Earth. (Space.com)
Opening
  • ZURRI Boutique — a locally-owned contemporary women’s boutique — left its location inside the Circle Centre Mall on Dec. 31 and will be relocating to a more intimate space downtown with free parking. The grand opening at 838 N. Delaware St. is planned for Wednesday, Feb. 1. 👗
Cause
  • The IndyGo Foundation, with help from the PNC Foundation, awarded 27,000+ bus passes to 79 local nonprofit organizations to increase accessibility of public transportation for Marion County residents. The free bus passes will give residents greater opportunities to seek employment, food, health care, and other essential services. 🚌 (WRTV)
Health
  • January is National Blood Donor Month and Versiti Blood Center of Indiana says the need is at a critical level — especially for donations from minority communities, which is currently only about .5% of blood donations. Anyone 17 and older can donate and you can make an appointment or walk in to donate.🩸 (WISH)
Sports
  • Colts General Manager Chris Ballard said he won’t rush into hiring a new head coach and could wait until after the Super Bowl, if it means finding the right candidate. Indianapolis has requested to interview four potential candidates and interim head coach Jeff Saturday could also interview for the full-time job. 🏈 (IndyStar)
Announced
  • No adults allowed. The Children’s Museum announced that as of Tuesday, Jan. 31, adults will not be permitted to ride the animals on the carousel and it will be limited to children ages 17 and under. The rule is being established to preserve the more than 100-year-old ride. 🎠 (WRTV)
  • Gen Con — the largest tabletop gaming convention — announced it does not plan to require proof of vaccination or the use of masks when it returns for the 2023 convention in Indianapolis on Aug. 3-6 at the Indiana Convention Center and Lucas Oil Stadium. 🎲 (IndyStar)
Wellness
  • Oh hey, January. The key to keeping your spirits up and avoiding seasonal affective disorder this time of year? Sunlight. Magic up more sunshine indoors with a light therapy lamp. This glare-free mood light is height and angle adjustable, while this subtly designed lamp lets you adjust light warmth and brightness. ☀️*
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Swing by this new family center 👟

Broad Ripple Park’s new family center opening
Broad Ripple Park Family Center rendering 3-arcDESIGN
Rendering of indoor track inside the family center. | Photo via Building Excellence + arcDESIGN
If you’ve passed by Broad Ripple Park, you’ve seen the construction on its new family center in progress since July of last year.

Well, the time has finally come. The brand new facility is getting ready to cut the ribbon on the $70 million renovation project and open it to the public.

On Saturday, Jan. 21, Broad Ripple Park (1426 Broad Ripple Park Ave.) will host its Family Center Open House from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. with guided activities until 3 p.m. and an open gym session from 3 to 5 p.m.

Visitors will also be able to take a tour of the facility, view sample classes, grab some food, and listen to music.
6AM City In-house
THE WRAP

Today’s issue was written by Nicole.

Editor’s pick: Broad Ripple Park’s Family Center grand opening is quickly approaching and it’s still looking for instructors. Those experienced in art, dance, wellness, and fitness for kids are encouraged to email Ashley Greene or call 317-327-7348.

Missed yesterday’s newsletter? Get the lowdown on Kessler Mansion.
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Editorial: Anna Bowman, Nicole Hernandez, Josh Kranzbery, Emily Shea, Jessalin Heins-Nagamoto, Dayten Rose, Sarah Leonhardt, Katie Smith | Send us a scoop, question, or feedback.

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