Bruce Buchanan, co-chair of the Broad Ripple RiverWalk Task Force, described preliminary stages of a river-walk promenade being planned for Broad Ripple Avenue along White River.

"The goal is to build a safe connection between Broad Ripple Park and the Village for pedestrians and bicyclists. This is a project that started to evolve sometime in the 1980s, with starts and stops, but our group has good momentum. Brad Warnecke and I are co-chairing a steering committee of twenty volunteers, all with great interest in bringing this feature to Broad Ripple," he explained.

"We are calling it a promenade, something with an aesthetic similar to the Cultural Trail downtown. It will run along the north side of Broad Ripple Avenue using the existing elevation. Currently there are bike lanes on both sides of the road. Shifting the bike lanes to the north side improves safety and offers promenade travelers a wonderful view of the White River oxbow, which is one of our county's great natural wonders. Numerous community groups, non-profit and governmental agencies are engaged with us," Buchanan added.

In 2014, Weaver's Lawn and Garden Shop property on Broad Ripple Avenue and White River went on the market. A cadre of professionals studied a way to integrate that area into the Indianapolis Park system. When that effort stalled, they began an effort to preserve and develop that stretch of land for public use and enjoyment. They are: financial planner Bradley Warnecke, Flanner and Buchanan owner Bruce Buchanan, Eclipse Real Estate President Bryan Chandler and Apple Press President & CEO Thomas Healy. Their collective vision is now being made a reality.

"The plan can be implemented in phases with the first phase focused on constructing the promenade and enhancing Broad Ripple Avenue as a boulevard from Compton to Broad Ripple Park. We are talking with all stakeholders in the Village, so we coordinate with other projects such as the Red Line and the master planning in store for Broad Ripple Park. Our Task Force believes this will get done as we have already received donations for initial expenses to develop the plan," Buchanan concluded.

Future information on the project will be announced as it becomes available.