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Converted from paper version of the Broad Ripple Gazette (v14n07)
Round the Ripple - by Bill Malcolm
posted: Mar. 31, 2017

Round the Ripple header

Mayor rides the bus, chats about the Ripple
I hopped on the #18 bus for a ride downtown on March 17 and there was Indianapolis Mayor Joe Hogsett. He was riding the bus to the St. Patrick's Day Parade. He was also riding in honor of Transit Driver Appreciation Day (transitdriverday.org).

Round the Ripple - by Bill Malcolm
image courtesy of Bill Malcolm
Quan


Bill Malcolm (standing) and Mayor Hogsett
Bill Malcolm (standing) and Mayor Hogsett
image courtesy of Bill Malcolm
Quan


I had a long chat with the Mayor who was very upbeat on the new developments in Broad Ripple that will add to daytime pedestrian traffic. This includes the new Coil Apartments and Fresh Thyme Farmers Market (at College Avenue and the canal) which open April 1.
As we rode by the newly revitalized Tarkington Park (39th and Illinois), he noted his administration was investing in capital improvement in Indy Parks, something that had not been done for many years. Indeed, the new playground in the park is a gem.
We discussed potholes.
In economic development news, he noted Salesforce was taking over the Chase Tower and hiring 500 new employees.


Spring wildflowers abound around the Ripple
Spring has sprung and the spring wildflowers are in bloom.
They are called spring ephemerals here in the East because they have to bloom before the trees get their leaves and crowd the sunlight.
Round the Ripple - by Bill Malcolm
image courtesy of Bill Malcolm
Quan


Round the Ripple - by Bill Malcolm
image courtesy of Bill Malcolm
Quan


Round the Ripple - by Bill Malcolm
image courtesy of Norma Wallman


Broad Ripple has multiple areas to view the spring beauties (an actual name of one of the flowers).
• On the high ridges of Marott Park (75th and College) you will find the yellow trout lilies. Later in the spring the park is full of wood poppies with their bright yellow flowers.
• Over at Broad Ripple Park, the woodlands north of the Tennis Courts also feature many spring wild flowers.
• Holliday Park has the best display of flowers. Normal Wallman, author of Wild Flowers of Holliday Park, leads a flower identification walk Saturday, April 8, at 10 am for those interested. Call Holliday Park or register at IndyParks on-line in advance to ensure a spot.
We will see Dutchman's breeches (and its cousin, squirrel corn), trilliums (3 varieties), shooting stars, toothwort, jack in the pulpit, skunk cabbage, blood root, Solomon's seal (and false Solomon's seal), Virginia blue bells, hepatica, and more. They also have white trout lilies.
Hurry, you only have the month of April. Once the leaves on the trees come out, many of the showy flowers pack up shop.


Upcoming events in the Ripple
April 7, 2017 - Holliday Park garden and Grown volunteer garden work party and talk, Pruning Trees, 9-11 a.m.
April 8, 2017 - Spring wildflower walk with Norma Wallman, author of Wildflowers of Holliday Park, Holliday Park, 10am Pre-registration required
April 14, 2017 - Spring Exhibition Opening Reception at the Art Center, 6 to 9pm
April 18, 2017 - BRVA annual meeting
April 21, 2017 - Daffodil Show, Holliday Park
April 29, 2017 - River Watch training, Holliday Park
May 11, 2017 - Alaska Airlines new non-stop to Seattle starts



Bill Malcolm also writes a travel column in The Midwest Eagle and is a reporter for All Aboard Indiana (as a volunteer for both). He advocates for fair and affordable utility rates for a national association based in Washington, D.C. He welcomes reader feedback and story ideas. Send to Bill@BroadRippleGazette.com




bill@broadripplegazette.com
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