Initiatives

Background | Binford Farmers Market | INSTEPP | Parks and Greenspace | Crime Watch| Schools

Background

In the Fall of 2006 the BRAG area was selected as a GINI  (Great Indy Neighborhoods Initiative) recipient which made funding and technical assistance available for three years to plan and implement quality of life enhancements. 

Click here to read the entire QUALITY OF LIFE PLAN prepared by the six working groups that formed as a result of a June 23rd, 2007 community wide visioning meeting and subsequent meetings of the Action Committees.  BRAG began implementing these priorities in 2008. 

Binford Farmers Market

In 2007 BRAG invited area farmers to sell their goods at the newly formed Binford Farmers Market.  The market is now one of the premier farmers markets in the Midwest. See the website, binfordfarmersmarket.com for full details…and join us on Saturday mornings at 62nd and Binford!

INSTEPP
Indy Northside Sidewalks and Trails  Engaging People with Places

TRAIL CONSTRUCION BEGINS IN 2012!!!!!
The Indianapolis Department of Public Works (DPW) has recently received $1.2 million in federal funding to construct a multi-use path along 71st street from Binford Boulevard to Hague Road. The trail will increase pedestrian and bike safety and provide connectivity for area businesses and neighborhoods.  We expect construction to begin in 2012. 
71st Street Multi-Use Fact Sheet.pdf

The initiative for the a multi-use path was first brought to light by Indy Northside
Sidewalks and Trails Engaging People with Places (INSTEPP) a sub subcommittee of the Binford Redevelopment and Growth (BRAG). Based on survey of residents and businesses, INSTEPP learned that lack of community connectivity was the number one concern of those surveyed.

There are over 350 businesses, 8 area schools, a major hospital, a branch of the public library and a city park in the BRAG area.  But much of the BRAG area was built at a time when everything was designed around the automobile, so these destinations are safely accessible only by driving.  Sidewalks and bike trails are virtually non existent on our major thoroughfares.

The long term goal of INSTEPP is to build sidewalks and multi-use trails throughout the BRAG community, connecting neighborhoods both east and west of Binford Boulevard, and to provide safe crossings at all major intersections. The pathways identified in the INSTEPP plan are included in the Indianapolis Metropolitan Planning Organization Regional Pedestrian Plan (2006) and are also listed under the “recommendations for pedestrian pathways” in that plan. The INSTEPP plan will be fully achieved through incremental funding efforts. 

In order to build a more sustainable city, DPW wants to make it easier for people to walk, run or bike to work and to their homes. A multi-use path, like the one that will be constructed along 71st Street, will provide the connectivity this community has desired.

BRAG extends a huge thank you for the efforts made by DPW in pursuing federal funds to construct  Phase 1 of the mulit-use trail along 71stStreet.

The long term goal of INSTEPP is to build sidewalks and multi-use trails throughout the BRAG area. This goal will be fully achieved through incremental efforts. After three years of planning,  INSTEPP is now actively working on the engineering and fund raising efforts to complete Phase I.

PHASE I PLAN
Phase I focuses on the construction of a six-foot wide asphalt path along portions of 71st Street immediately east and west of Binford Boulevard.  This will allow approximately 1,300 households to safely access established retail (restaurants, shops, hair salons, etc.) and commerce (banks, offices, etc.) in the area.  

 West of Binford: Steinmeier Dr. to Graham Rd. 
East of Binford:  Cricklewood to Lake Knoll Dr.

• Rough cost estimate, including engineering and construction is $120,000.
• City of Indianapolis Department of Public Works supports the project and will provide technical assistance with permits, right of way acquisition and engineering.
• Project will be completed using private funding sources (residents, local businesses and corporations and grants) and the Project Fund will be administered by the Central Indiana Community Foundation (CICF); funds will be held until goals are achieved.
• Phase I investment will attract dollars for future phases and further investment by the City.

INSTEPP’S MISSION

The mission of INSTEPP focuses on improving the overall quality of life in the BRAG community by increasing linear miles of multi-use trails and sidewalks.  These trails and sidewalks will provide residents with the following benefits:

• Health benefits of walking and biking for pleasure, as an alternative to driving and as a form of commuting to work.
• Encourage school-aged children to walk to impact childhood obesity and create a future generation of “walkers.”
• Connect to other established and planned community assets, like Skiles Test Nature Park, the Fall Creek Corridor Greenway Trail, Fort Ben State Park, the bike lane on Allisonville Road and the proposed trail on 62nd Street.

Anyone interested in helping with this project, please contact Karen Kryah at kjkryah@yahoo.com

Click here for details of the INSTEPP project:
Indy Northside Sidewalks & Trails Engaging People and Places

On November 19, 2009 we met at Hillcrest Country Club for a BRAG Celebration .  We had wonderful crowd of nearly 200 listening to a summary of our accomplishments and engaging in active discussion about the future of BRAG and Binford neighborhood plans.  Schneider Engineering presented the results of the Binford Village Study. 

Focus Group Summary - Click Here
Kick-off Mtg Summary - Click Here
Planning WS Summary - Click Here

Parks and Greenspace

SKILES TEST NATURE PARK GETS A NEW LOOK

During the summer of 2009 , Skiles Test Nature Park (STNP) obtained a new look as area residents and service groups came together to implement a new landscaping plan for the park entrance located on Fall Creek Rd near Shadeland Ave. Keeping with the nature park setting, David Gorden of Holeman Landscaping designed a new look for the entrance of the park to blend into the Nature Park theme. Phase 1 planted approximately 2000 native flowers and shrubs around the parking and trail area on Fall Creek Rd. Students at Skiles Test Elementary School along with neighbors living in the BRAG area participated in the planting organized by the Skiles Test Nature Park Board. This project was part of the State Farm Insurance Learning Assistance Funding awarded to Skiles Test Elementary.

Phase 2 was implemented on September 26, 2009. Led by Eagle Scout Willy Dimond and Eagle Scout Troop # 443 with assistance from the Roots and Shoots Group at Lawrence Central High School led by Biology teacher Ms. Kathy Madren, area BRAG neighbors, STNP Board members, and Skiles Test Elementary School students. This work comprised of building several natural stone areas, additional plantings of flowers and grasses, and general park clean up. This was funded by a GINI Starter Grant.

The final phase will be realized next Spring with the planting of additional native plants and several trees in the parking lot area. The Nature Park offers a natural setting for those families and individuals interested in walking in a natural area, hiking and biking in Skiles Test Nature Park and Woollens Gardens. It is also connected to the Indy Parks Greenways Biking and Hiking Trail through the northeast section of Indianapolis.

Crime Watch

A POLICE SUBSTATION is located at 5699 Ivy Way Professional Building, on 71st Street just west of Binford Boulevard. The station is always in need of bottled water, granola bars, and Gatorade and other healthy snacks. Please drop your donations (monetary donations welcome also) to Peter Courtney at the Movable Feast 5741 E 71st, between 11 and 4 Monday to Friday.

Neighborhood Liaisons are your direct link to the Mayor's office, as well as any city department and service. 

• Sheriff's department 911 Community Liaison: Deputy Diana Vanarsdall, Call/Text 327-4934 or EMAIL.
• The Neighborhood Liaison for Lawrence Township: Noelle Malatestinic, 327-5580.
• The Neighborhood Liaison for Washington Township: Catherine Moore, 327-5380.
  
  

North District's Crime Prevention Newsletter (Spring 2010)

We would like to acknowledge the following people for their help with Crime Watch in their neighborhood.

BRAG NEIGHBORHOODS - CRIME WATCH NETWORK

Schools

The BRAG boundaries include parts of Washington Township and Lawrence Township.  Both townships have energetic community involvement and solid, stable school systems that that serve students of all academic abilities.  We are pleased that BRAG residents make a deliberate choice to live in the area so that their children may attend one of the outstanding public schools.  Also in the BRAG area are a number of private parochial and private non-denominational schools.

We are so proud of our area schools….both public and private!

Lawrence Township Schools

The ninth largest school district in the state, the Metropolitan School District of Lawrence Township serves just under 16,000 students. Throughout Indiana, Lawrence Township is recognized as a “lighthouse” school district, a reputation built over the years based on the district’s award-winning staff, high-achieving students, supportive community, innovative educational programs, and nationally recognized character education initiative.
The mission of the MSD of Lawrence Township is to empower all students with the knowledge, skills, compassion, and integrity needed to contribute and succeed as self-directed, life-long learners in a competitive global community.
Please visit our website, http://www.ltschools.org/home to learn more.

Igniting the Power of Community – The Lawrence Township School Foundation
The Lawrence Township School Foundation was established in 1983 to provide teachers in Lawrence Township with funding for programs that weren’t supported by tax dollars. Since then, the Foundation has contributed more than $3 million to support the education of Lawrence Township children. Today, the Foundation partners with the Metropolitan School District of Lawrence Township, connecting philanthropy and education to provide resources that empower our young people to reach their full potential. The Foundation is actively reaching out to our community to gain the financial support needed to fund critical programs now, and to ensure that Lawrence Township schools continue to remain strong. Their mission is to bring resources into the District so that ALL Lawrence Township children have the tools they need to succeed. Find out more about what the Lawrence Township School Foundation is doing in our community by visiting their website – www.msdltf.org.

MSDLT Volunteer Initiative Program 
“Vibrant communities support outstanding schools.  Excellent schools establish vibrant communities.”  http://www.ltschools.org/content/volunteer-initiative-program-1

Washington Township Schools

The Metropolitan School District of Washington Township (MSDWT) located in the northern section of Indianapolis and Marion County. It is a dynamic community with broad diversity in cultures, religions, ethnic groups, races and socioeconomic levels. MSDWT has been an educational leader in Indiana for the last 40 years.

MSDWT offers a comprehensive educational curriculum with special activities and programs geared to provide enrichment, exploration, and instructional support for students. MSDWT has the finest high school curriculum in the State of Indiana. It annually produces the highest number of students taking Advanced Placement exams and scoring high enough to earn college credits. The high school offers programs that allow students to earn the North Central Academic Honor Diploma and the Indiana Academic Honors Diploma.

MSDWT provides excellent opportunities for students to participate in outstanding performing arts, fine arts, academic teams, publications, athletics, and other student activities. North Central High School has the distinction of being Indiana's number two high school in the number of Indiana athletic championships.

International Baccalaureate (IB)
MSDWT is making transformational and systemic changes that enhance the teaching and learning for all Washington Township students. MSDWT's North Central High School was the first high school in Indiana to offer the International Baccalaureate program. Having hosted the International Baccalaureate Diploma Program for more than 20 years, the District is extending the International Baccalaureate (IB) to all of its elementary and middle school students, making it the first district-wide IB program in the state of Indiana.
Washington Township Schools Foundation

Click here to see the slide presentation from the February 13, 2008 Community Celebration.