Saturday September 20th, 2014, was the first planting of the "BILL BRINK MEMORIAL GARDEN". Volunteers from Keep Indianapolis Beautiful Inc., the BRVA, friends and neighbors and two bus loads of Roncalli High School Football players (see photo directly below), the "Rebels", showed up early in the morning and "got 'er done". Afterwards the workers were treated to free hot dogs, chips and soft drinks at Plump's Last Shot. BRICS donated ice cream for all as well. Marigold Clothing supplied coffee, and water. Thanks to Linda Shikany, Elizabeth Shikany (pictured at planting below), Chris Turner, Nate Faris, Neal Bennett, Ruth Ann Ingraham, Brenda Rising-Moore, Nora Spitznogle, Brooke Klejnot and many others too numerous to name here. The memory of our beloved Bill Brink will last far into the future in Broad Ripple.

Bill Brink was a self-taught wildlife photographer, naturalist and outdoorsman who, until his death, occupied the Broad Ripple home in which he was born. He was affectionately known as the "Mayor of Broad Ripple." A co-founder of the Indiana Native Plant & Wildflower Society and an active member of the Amos Butler Audubon Society, Bill also served on the boards of the Friends of Holiday Park and the Indiana Audubon Society.

The Bill Brink Memorial Garden is a landscaped linear oasis honoring the memory of the life-long Broad Ripple resident who passed away in 2011. It will reflect Bill's passion for the great outdoors, native Indiana plants, wildlife, art and Broad Ripple Village. (There will be a variety of plant habitats including a rain garden, forest wildflowers and a prairie as well as benches, public art and lighting.)

The garden will: Enhance the attractiveness of the Village, Increase enjoyment of a ride or walk on the Monon trail, Honor a contributor to the vibrancy of the Indianapolis community, and Promote appreciation of wildlife and the outdoors.

Visit www.facebook.com/billbrinkmemorialgarden for more information on the Memorial Garden project. You may also contact Linda Shikany at Marigold Clothing, (317) 254-9939.