New Fountain Dedication

Friends of Fountain Square,

Fifteen years of hard work and patience have come to fruition, and we now have a new Fountain Square centerpiece.

We’re planning a dedication ceremony to mark the completion of our first phase of construction, and to officially turn on the fountain. The event will be a combined celebration with the organizers of the Shamrock Run, which will bring more than 2,000 runners and walkers through Fountain Square the following morning.

Here are the details:

What: Fountain Square Fountain Dedication

When: Friday, March 12, 2010, 10:00 a.m.

Where: Gather on the sidewalk in front of the Fountain Square Theatre Building, 1105 Shelby Street.

· Opening remarks from Mark Stewart, President, Southeast Neighborhood Development

· Remarks from Brian Paine, President, The Indianapolis Foundation, CICF and leader of the Indianapolis Cultural Trail effort

· Remarks from Reverend Glenn L. O'Connor, Irish Citizen of the Year, and Blessing of the Fountain

· Turning on of the fountain by Elaine Cates, Fountain Square native and President Emeritus of Friends & FACT

· Greening of the fountain by Michael McCrackin, Indianapolis Leprechaun

Please join us!

Paul Baumgarten

Indy Connect aims to gather public input on draft regional transportation plan

INDIANAPOLIS—Central Indiana’s transportation future took a major step forward today with the announcement of Indy Connect: Central Indiana’s Transportation Initiative, a regional effort to gather public input on a draft transportation plan for Central Indiana. The announcement was made today at Union Station and was highlighted by the official hand-off of a year-long regional transportation study conducted by the Central Indiana Transit Task Force, a group of business leaders dedicated to identifying transportation solutions for Central Indiana residents.

The private sector’s study recommendations have been folded into a larger regional transportation plan – an initial draft of which is being presented to Central Indiana residents for review and comment. Public feedback and suggestions will be incorporated into a revised plan in late 2010 that will be presented to the public for further consideration.

The draft plan includes recommendations for more bus service, commuter and light rail, expanded roadways, pedestrian walkways and bike paths, and outlines how these modes of transportation could work together to connect people and places in Central Indiana. Specifically, the draft plan includes:

• Expanded bus service that could decrease wait time between buses, increase cross-city service, require fewer transfers and provide more and quicker service both within and beyond Marion County. This bus service would connect with other modes of transportation, including rail and pedestrian walkways and bikeways.
• An in-street, light rail train on or near Washington Street to travel west toward the airport and east to Cumberland with frequent stops in between.
• Ground-level commuter rail transit that could run from Indianapolis north to Fishers and south to Greenwood, with multiple station stops in Indianapolis and more frequent light rail service within the urban core.
• Expanded roadways and bike and pedestrian pathways that would connect to other methods of transportation like bus or train stops for optimum connectivity.

“An enhanced transit system is long overdue for Central Indiana. Our current transportation system has put us at a competitive disadvantage for attracting jobs, investment and talent, and has failed to meet the economic and social needs of our citizens,” said Mark Miles, president & CEO of the Central Indiana Corporate Partnership and one of the founders of the Central Indiana Transit Task Force. “The Central Indiana Transit Task Force developed a vision for the region through the lens of the business community, focusing on how a dynamic transit system could promote regional economic development and redevelopment, reduce transportation costs, improve the environment, and create a more connected, vibrant region.”

“We based our plan on thoughtful planning and a rigorous cost-benefit analysis - but we don’t think we have all the answers,” added Al Hubbard, Central Indiana Transit Task Force co-chair. “The best plan will come only after the residents of Central Indiana have had an opportunity to review the plan, provide suggestions and comments on what is most desirable for a connected region. That’s why we have handed the process of gathering public input over to Indy Connect.”

The Indy Connect initiative is a collaborative effort between three of the region’s public transportation and planning agencies – the Indianapolis Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO), IndyGo and Central Indiana Regional Transportation Authority (CIRTA).

Indy Connect will facilitate community meetings throughout Central Indiana, at which time transportation experts will explain the draft regional plan and gather input and suggestions for improvement. Residents also will be able to learn more about the draft plan at www.indyconnect.org.

“Now is the time for our region to decide on its transportation future,” said Lori Miser, executive director of the Indianapolis MPO. “We want people to tell us what transportation options could change the way they live and get around Central Indiana – and the draft plan is a perfect launching point for this discussion.”

While the public is giving its input on routes, types of transportation, and other components of the initial draft plan, a public-private steering committee will be studying alternatives for how to best operate and fund a future system. Possible funding mechanisms and an operating structure will be merged with public input and incorporated into the revised draft plan.

For more information on Indy Connect, including a draft map outlining the various modes of transportation, their proposed routes and a list of upcoming public meetings, or to submit feedback on the draft plan, go to www.indyconnect.org.

Marion Public Meeting

Marion - Center - Near East

February 16th, 2010

7:00 PM
Inglewood Christian Church
57 N Rural, Indianapolis, IN

Southeast Neighborhood Congress

Thursday, April 22nd, 7 p.m.
At the Fountain Square Theatre


What is a neighborhood congress?

An opportunity to celebrate what we’ve accomplished, share concerns and problems, and seek solutions.



Who should attend?

Anyone who lives, works, or cares about Southeast Indianapolis.



What will happen?

We will decide together what needs to change in our neighborhoods. We’ll speak with one voice to our neighborhood institutions and to City Hall.



Who gets to speak?

You do. Everyone who attends has the right to speak and vote.


Child care for ages 4-10 will be provided.


For more information,

Call Jim Mulholland
503-5852

BE AN EARLY BIRD! SIGN UP FOR SUMMER FUN AT INDY PARKS DAY CAMPS

Register for a Traditional Summer Day Camp at Indy Parks now through March 31 and receive a $5 discount per each week of summer camp for each child you sign up. Save even more on traditional day camps with our sibling discount! The 2010 Summer Day Camps Guide is now available at www.indyparks.org. Get the summer’s camp schedules and offerings, and fill your summer with adventures at Indy Parks! To register, call (317) 327-PARK or call the specific park directly.

2010 Summer Day Camps are available at the following park locations: Broad Ripple, Christian, Eagle Creek, Ellenberger, Holliday, Krannert, Rhodius, Riverside, and Southeastway parks. Indy Parks offers a broad variety of camps for all interests including environmental education camps, creative arts camps, therapeutic recreation camps, and traditional day camps with fun weekly themes. Find a park near you or a camp that suits your interests, and get ready to have fun this summer with Indy Parks!



Traditional Summer Day Camps

These camps offer sports, arts and crafts, enrichment programs, field trips, swimming, and guest speakers! Indy Parks’ trained and professional staff provide a fun, quality experience for each camper. Offered at Broad Ripple, Christian, Ellenberger, Krannert and Riverside parks.



Theater Camp at Ellenberger Park

This engaging Theatre Mentorship is a one-week summer workshop that gives campers hand-on experience working with professional actors, directors and technicians. Through rehearsals and performance opportunities, students participate in stage activities, learn memorization techniques and dialogue, and develop confidence in stage presence.



Eco-Excursion at Holliday Park

Take part in a week of challenges ranging from a compass course to knot tying. Explore Eagle Creek’s forests, wetlands and prairies, and learn about the ecology of Indiana.



Nature Explorers at Southeastway Park

Explore our forest, prairie and pond through this active nature camp. Hiking, playing games, investigating different habitats every day, catching insects in our prairie, and exploring a creek bed are all included in this nature camp!


NOTE: Early bird and sibling discounts only apply to traditional summer day camps. Early bird discount valid through March 31. Sibling discount continues throughout Summer 2010.


Bike Indy. Swim Indy. Run Indy.

PLAY INDY!

INDY PARKS & RECREATION MAKES WAGER WITH NEW ORLEANS CITY PARK FOR SUPER BOWL XLIV

Indy Parks Director Stuart Lowry and New Orleans City Park Chief Executive Officer Bob Becker have made their wagers for Super Bowl XLIV.


Lowry has put together a package of Indy Parks favorites including maple syrup tapped from trees at Southeastway Park; bars of locally based Endangered Species Chocolate, which sponsors the cacao tree at Garfield Park’s Conservatory; a souvenir cacao pod containing cacao beans from the Conservatory’s cacao tree; an orchid grown at Garfield Park Conservatory; and shirts from Indy Parks’ “Sharing the Dream” partnership with Citizens Energy Group. Becker’s wager consists of City Park T-shirts, jambalaya, Mardi Gras beads, red beans, hot sauce, a voodoo doll and beignet mix that will come to Indianapolis if the Colts win.


“While the Saints are marching in with the NFC title, the Colts will be galloping out as Super Bowl world champions,” said Lowry. “I’m confident the Colts will be victorious when they take the field this Sunday, and ultimately we both win because we have great parks systems.”


“The Who Dat Nation and particularly the employees of New Orleans City Park look forward to a competitive and high-scoring game,” said Becker. “It’s a good thing Indianapolis has such a wonderful parks system, as their fans will no doubt be utilizing the facilities on Monday to work out all their frustrations.”


City of Indianapolis Mayor Ballard has declared February 1-7, 2010, “Blue Week” and is asking all citizens to support the team by dressing in blue, decorating their homes and businesses and showing their true team spirit as we wish the Colts good luck in Super Bowl XLIV.

CITY RELEASES REQUEST FOR INFORMATION TO EXPAND CURRENT RECYCLING OPPORTUNITIES

The City of Indianapolis today announced the release of a Request for Information (RFI) to gather information about how the City can expand its current recycling program.

"As we make Indianapolis one of the most sustainable cities in the Midwest, it is important we give our citizens convenient opportunities to be good stewards of the environment by responsibly disposing of their recyclable materials," said Mayor Greg Ballard.

The RFI was released through the Department of Public Works (DPW) in an effort to learn, from experienced vendors, ways in which the city can expand its current recycling program. Additionally, the City is interested in information pertaining to the processing of these products as well as any other ideas leading to an expansion of the current recycling program. It is the intent of the City to further the objective of enhancing its current reduction, reuse, recycling and material recovery programs at the lowest net cost to the city.

"Curbside recycling is definitely the gold standard of residential recycling programs," said City's Office of Sustainability Director, Kären Haley. "Our current drop-off recycling program is a huge success, showing that our citizens are willing to recycle. In order to move to a comprehensive curbside program, we want to make sure it's something the citizens want and is economically feasible."

Under the City's current recycling program, there are twenty-eight (28) residential drop-off locations throughout Marion County that collect plastics #1 & 2, paper, paper board, aluminum and steel beverage containers and glass. Curbside recycling is available to all residents for a nominal fee on a voluntary subscription basis. The City also offers an eCycling service for residents to drop off recyclable electronics for proper disposal. To learn more about the current program visit http://www.sustainindy.org/recycling.cfm.

To learn more or to read/respond to the RFI in its entirety, visit http://www.indy.gov/eGov/City/Controller/Purch/Bids/Pages/BiddingOpportunities.aspx#d.

ANIMAL CARE AND CONTROL PARTNERS WITH HANDSON NETWORK TO BOOST VOLUNTEER EFFORTS

Indianapolis Animal Care and Control (IACC) is proud to announce a partnership with the HandsOn Network to promote local volunteer efforts at the city animal shelter.


The partnership with the HandsOn Network, which promotes community service and volunteer efforts nationwide, will provide the city with volunteers, which can be used to improve both kennel operations and community outreach efforts. The program will also provide incentives for the volunteer by providing individuals with an opportunity to receive a free ticket to a Disney theme park located in the United States.


Volunteers interested in participating in the program, must register at the HandsOn Network’s Web site to be eligible to receive a ticket, valued at approximately $75. Families are welcome to volunteer, but each member must volunteer to receive a ticket.


“This is another example of how a public-private partnership can improve services at a city owned and operated facility," said Teri Kendrick, Administrator at Indianapolis Animal Care and Control. “With increased volunteer participation from the community, we are able to enhance both the quality of life for the animals in our kennels as well as the residents who live in our community.”


As a result of the new program, IACC had over 80 volunteers register for a January 20 volunteer training session. Also that day, IACC staff sent 52 animals to rescue partners in and around Central Indiana, both single day records.


“We had a record 80 people come to the volunteer class,” said Adam Garrett, volunteer coordinator at IACC. “The response we’ve seen from the community has been so overwhelming that we had to schedule another volunteer training seminar.”


In 2009, IACC set a new record for volunteer hours donated at the city shelter with over 17,000 hours logged. This compares to approximately 11,000 hours donated in 2008.


Anyone interested in volunteering at IACC to receive credit for the HandsOn Network program must register at http://www.handsonnetwork.org/ in order to be eligible to receive their admission to a Disney theme park.



To learn more about this program or to inquire about volunteer opportunities, please contact:



Adam Garrett

Volunteer Coordinator

Indianapolis Animal Care and Control

Office: 327-1384

E-Mail: G1256@indy.gov