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Converted from paper version of the Broad Ripple Gazette (v16n04)
Round the Ripple - by Bill Malcolm
posted: Feb. 15, 2019

Round the Ripple header

New Group Forms To Stop Park Land Grab, Asks Health Network Not To Relocate In Park
Parks are for people. There are better sites for health clinics than on precious Broad Ripple Park land. That is the focus of a campaign of the newly formed Broad Ripple Park Alliance (formerly the Friends of Broad Ripple Pool). The new group was formed to stop the plan by Indy Parks to allow a doctors office to relocate on park land in a plan would also require that bidder to build Indy Parks a new family center. As you may recall, on January 16, the City of Indianapolis' Department of Metropolitan Development approved the proposal of Indy Parks (Resolution 2019-R-006) to transfer some Broad Ripple park land. Broad Ripple Park no longer includes the land containing family center and surrounding parking lots all the way down to the White River. Instead it has been transferred back to the city for development. The outdoor pool-while not part of this proposal-is also threatened in the long term.
The group sent a letter to the CEO of Community Health Network (the only bidder last year) asking them to not submit a bid on February 19, 2019, to Indy Parks. The group noted Indianapolis already suffers from a low amount of open space compared to other cities of similar size and the loss of green space for this type of private development was a poor idea.
The Alliance is instead recommending that Indy Parks sell naming rights to raise funds for the pool, the Community Center, the tennis courts, the outdoor pavilion, and the trails instead of trying to raise funds by putting private facilities on precious park land.
The group is sympathetic to the revenue needs of Broad Ripple Park and also urges the Holliday Park model be used instead where Friends of Holliday Park raised over $2 million for park renovations during a recent campaign that included private donations from individuals and corporations. To help stop the Broad Ripple Park land grab, tell Community Health Network and other potential bidders (IU Health, St. Vincent's, etc.) that they are not wanted in Broad Ripple Park. (Community currently has a clinic on Broad Ripple Avenue in the Thre3e Wise Men strip mall.) Tell the Mayor and Indy Parks to not go through with this proposal, either in Broad Ripple Park or throughout other parks in the city. Tell them to return the land transfer back to Indy Parks.
Selling off city assets like park land for non-park uses is poor public policy - especially given the plethora of available alternative sites on private non-park land throughout Broad Ripple, Glendale, Nora, and our entire city. Join the new Broad Ripple Park Alliance on Facebook as well as Friends of Broad Ripple Pool.


Ask The Library Where New Glendale Location Will Be
The Love Your Library tour is back and it is your chance to tell Indianapolis Public Library to move the Glendale Branch back to the Village. (Did you know? The Library used to be at the Broad Ripple Park Family Center and before that across from the Kroger?) The Glendale Branch is moving. The Glendale forum will be February 27, 2019, at 6 p.m. at the Glendale Branch.
Changes At Indy Go To Improve Transit Experience
When the Red Line bus rapid transit opens later this year, there will be even more changes to your transit ride experience.
Your will be able to purchase tickets at the new stations which will show real time arrival information and include a shelter with free Wi-Fi. They will also have bike racks. Plus, you can pay with your new pre-loaded TAP card. You just tap the scanner on the bus instead of depositing a cash fare.
You can also use mobile payments. Your $1.75 fare gets you a 2-hour transfer. (Currently Indy Go does not give out transfers.) A new fare capping system caps fares at $4 per day and $15.75 per week. Plus, they are adding new fare options including transfers and capping the daily fare paid.
Some other changes may not be as popular. There will be 20% less parking along College Avenue and fewer places to make left turns. On College, left turns will be prohibited at intersections without signals from 38th to 63rd. The Red Line will feature new all electric buses. The route will run from 66th Street to downtown and then onto the University of Indianapolis.
You can give Indy Go feedback on the using a feedback survey posted at www.indyGo.net/farepolicy.


Music On The Monon
Did you catch the Music on the Monon Baroque concert on January 29, 2019? If not, don't miss the next ones (all held at the Indianapolis Art Center): March 10 - Indianapolis Chamber Orchestra String Quartet, March 31 - Echoing Air, and April 14 - Studio in Bloom. All concerts are in the auditorium at 3 p.m.


White River Clean Up Day
Mark your calendar for White River Clean Up Day on March 24, 2019, from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. at Holliday Park. No registration required.
Other upcoming events at Holliday Park: Feb 23, 2019 - Sap to Syrup Day, March 16 - Trail Run, April 13 - Spring wildflower hike, and May 11 - White River Raft Tour.


Get Out Of The Ripple - Puerto Vallarta
Sick of winter? After those -35 degree wind chills, I am.
Try Puerto Vallarta, Mexico. I am going again this year for the sun, the Botanical Gardens, the great food (lots of seafood), and the friendly people. It's a bargain. I am taking Southwest through Denver. American is another option through Dallas or Phoenix. The hotels and restaurants are great and there are plenty of options.
Closer to home, the Flower Show starts next month at Navy Pier in Chicago. A great cure for the winter blues. Take Amtrak and relax. Stay at The Hotel Versey in Lakeview East. Think spring! And tell the Governor and our elected officials to put the Amtrak funding back into the state budget. If we can support the Delta flight to Paris, we certainly can support a train to Chicago.



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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