Steering Committee #2 Vision Plan

INDIANAPOLIS AND HAMILTON COUNTY, • SEPTEMBER, 2018 AGENDA

Thank you for joining us!

• Project Schedule • Outreach to Date • Opportunities and Barriers • Reveal History • Express Our Identity • Experience Nature • Connect Communities • Get Outdoors • Destinations Workshop • Next Steps OUR TEAM Leadership Department of Steering Committee Metropolitan Development Stakeholder Committee Hamilton County Tourism Task Force Groups Visit Indy Vision Plan Lead Agency Landscape + Planning Engagement Technical Team Team Applied Ecological Services Engaging Solutions CBBEL RATIO Architects Land Collective Porchlight Landstory Project Photo Docs Heritage Strategies HR&A Advisors Shrewsberry PROJECT TIMELINE

Discover Envision Action 2018 2019

Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sept Oct Nov Dec Jan Feb Mar Apr

KICK OFF PM #1 ST PM #2 ST PM #3 ST ST ST + SH ST + SH ST + SH

ST = Steering Committee .SH = Stakeholder Committee PM = Public Meeting ENGAGEMENT METHODS PROJECT GUIDANCE Steering Committee Stakeholder Committee Six Task Force Groups

PUBLIC OUTREACH Public meetings Pre-existing events Community discussions Online surveys Social media River guides

HARD TO REACH POPULATIONS OUTREACH SUMMARY Online Over 4,000 unique visits 818 website sign-ups 42 confirmed river guides

Events and Meetings 190+ attended public meetings 261 reached in existing events

Public Relations Over one million people reached through media MANY VOICES I am thrilled to hear that the White River is becoming a priority for the city! It is a huge resource and if done right, can be another big draw to the city. Will the protection of the property rights of riparian owners, especially farmers, be a priority in the plan?

My property is just within the flood plain and I pay flood insurance. I do not want to see potential risk of Many happy memories canoeing increased flooding as a result of any and fishing, and my parents new development. even got married on an island on the river. I look forward to seeing the river become a sought-after destination. A DESIRE FOR ENGAGEMENT Although outreach was Top 5 responses organized within the five vision plan themes, responses in public meetings and online spanned a range of topics. Recreation ideas were the most talked about, followed by healthy growth opportunities and concerns about property and overdevelopment. Over 75% of the comments were forward thinking or proposed ideas. The majority of positive comments were located east of the river.

50 100 150 EVEN MORE VOICES Hamilton County Tourism and the City of Indianapolis have also met with special interest groups and targeted communities to better understand community concerns and opportunities for the plan to reinforce community needs and desires. STUDY AREA US - 31

US - 38 58 miles of the White River The plan spans from NOBLESVILLE Lafayette Trace Park south to in Marion and Hamilton counties.

CARMEL FISHERS The goal of the vision plan is to create an accessible, US - 31 I - 69 recreational, and cultural environment that encourages a unique sense of place for the community as a whole. INDIANAPOLIS I - 70 I - 465

I - 465 I - 65 Study area boundary

0 1 2 4 6 8 I - 70 N Miles The White River Vision Plan is about rediscovering a valuable, shared asset Reveal History Express our Identity The unique mo- Our changing ments in Central region and river Indiana White River neighborhoods. history.

THE VISION PLAN THEMES

Get Outdoors The attractions that Experience Nature bring people to the Connect Communities The natural systems river year round. The existing access points to the and wildlife of the White River river. and the character of the trail system. The Wild River What if we enhanced the river to make it the most ecologically-rich, scenic river in the country? The Teaching River What if we enhanced the river to tell stories, maximize educational opportunity and foreground history? The Welcoming River What if we enhanced the river to activate its edges and surface, creating a central park for the region? LET’S IDEATE! THE The Wild The Teaching WELCOMING River River RIVER

Reveal History ? ? ?

Express Our Identity ? ? ?

Experience Nature ? ? ?

Connect Communities ? ? ?

Get Outdoors ? ? ? Reveal History LAYERS OF TIME

TH Century Early SettlementDeep Time The Early Republic TH Civil War Century Gas Boom Late 20 Early-Mid 20 Milling + Manufacturing TRACES OF Transportation Government HISTORY Natural History Commerce Archeology Residential Public Works

TH Century Early SettlementDeep Time The Early Republic TH Civil War Century Gas Boom Late 20 Early-Mid 20 UPPER HAMILTON HISTORIC DISTRICTS AND SITES

Zenas Beckwith House Estate (IMA/Newfields) Potter's Covered Bridge Campbell, Henry F., Mansion Holliday Hydroelectric House/Dam Butler (Hinkle) Fieldhouse NOBLESVILLE Indianapolis VA Hospital Cole-Evans House Heslar Naval Armory Stone, Judge Earl S., House Joseph J. Bingham School #84 Wilson, Robert L., House Jordan, Arthur, Memorial Hall Hamilton County Courthouse Square Irwin Library, LOWER HAMILTON Craycraft, Daniel, House Atherton Hall Craig, William Houston, House Wheeler-Stokely Mansion 2 - Noblesville Milling Company Mill Harrell, Dr. Samuel, House McCormick Cabin Site Forest Park Log Cabin Central Canal QUARRY REACH Military Park Conner, William, House Michigan Road Tollhouse West Washington Street Pumping Stat. BROAD RIPPLE West-Harris House Indiana State Capitol, the Statehouse Marion County Bridge 0501F H. Lauter Company Complex West-Harris House (Mansion House) Madam C.J. Walker Building (NHL) INDIANAPOLIS NORTH Indiana Theatre Kassebaum Building Broad Ripple Firehouse Nurses' Sunken Garden & Conval. Park Edwards--Aufderheide House Indiana State Library INDIANAPOLIS CENTRAL Foster Hall Apartments

Crown Hill Nicholson-Rand House LOWER MARION Haverstick, Hiram A., Farmstead 0 1 2 4 6 8 N Miles TOP HISTORIC DESTINATIONS

Noblesville Oldfields (Lilly House)

I would to see a mural series along Noblesville’s River Walk that depicts our stages of development/settlement through history. Point to gas boom, milling, etc.

Crown Hill Cemetery Central Indianapolis HISTORIC PLACES YET TO BE PROTECTED

I am concerned that future projects will adversely impact archaeological sites otherwise not yet identified on Heritage Lists.

North Hamilton County White River Trail at 10th Street

Broad Ripple Cold Spring Road Butler University US - 31 Strawtown Koteewi Park HISTORIC

DESTINATIONS US - 38

Noblesville Historic districts and sites US - 32 along the river tell a story NOBLESVILLE

I - 69 Conner Prairie Challenges CARMEL FISHERS Places without historic US - 31 protections, like Broad Ripple and I - 465 Cold Spring Road

I - 69 Obstacles Broad Ripple Shifting priorities for childhood Butler University INDIANAPOLIS education Oldfields (Lilly House) I - 465 Lack of interest or awareness of Cold Spring Road historic significance White River Trail at 10TH Street I - 465 Central Indianapolis

I - 65

I - 70 LEGEND

Significant Destination Opportunity 0 1 2 4 6 8 Significant Destination Challenge N Miles The Wild River reveals history

WildWoods at Fernbank of Natural History, Atlanta The Teaching River reveals history

Mill Ruins Park, Minneapolis, Minnesota THE WELCOMING RIVER reveals history

Smale Riverfront Park, Cincinnati, Ohio Express Our Identity STRONG COMMUNITIES

Provide a high quality of life Appropriate density Access to amenities

Attract and retain talent Job creation New developments Population growth

Serve the needs of the most disadvantaged communities Removing barriers to access Invest in a high quality of life for everyone Preserving places for all PULSES OF GROWTH KAR AUCTION SERVICES INC. AND JOB DENSITY REPUBLIC AIRWAYS HOLDINGS 58 miles of the White River CNO FINANCIAL GROUP Job centers are distributed along the White River, mainly downtown, and major highways. CALUMET SPECIALTY PRODUCTS These pulses and intersections ALLISON TRANSMISSION of activity represent clear opportunities for economic development investments. BALDWIN & LYONS INC

ANTHEM INC

ELI LILLY & CO

CUMMINS INC.

LEGEND City populations Industry hubs - number of establishments 0 1 2 4 6 8 N Miles Roads QUILT OF COMMUNITIES, PATCHWORK OF NEEDS

NOBLESVILLE

CARMEL FISHERS

Poverty Population of Color

INDIANAPOLIS

Children Seniors Vacancy LEGEND

0 1 2 4 6 8 N Miles Lowest Highest Need need PERCEPTIONS ALONG THE RIVER

Map with only concern comments visible NOBLESVILLE

WHITE RIVER STATE PARK CARMEL FISHERS

DOWNTOWN INDIANAPOLIS

INDIANAPOLIS

LEGEND Obstacles or Concerns General Comments, Questions 0 1 2 4 6 8 Ideas or Aspirations N Miles PERCEPTIONS ALONG THE RIVER

Map with only concern comments visible NOBLESVILLE

CARMEL FISHERS

INDIANAPOLIS SOUTHWESTWAY PARK

LEGEND Obstacles or Concerns General Comments, Questions 0 1 2 4 6 8 Ideas or Aspirations N Miles We don’t want to see PERSPECTIVES eminent domain and bulldozers destroy what Sustainable identity requires Sustainable identity we worked for. economic activity. We can requires economic activity. & should promote local We can promote local entrepreneurial activity that gives entrepreneurship that gives communities identity & character communities identity and as well as creates jobs. creates jobs. What step are you taking to keep residents in there homes, how will Don’t lose our identity but move this affect parking? forward with purpose. Hopefully I the community of this new focus towards improving M.L.King St. there is a the White River doesn’t need for a grocery store cause displacement in certain and pharmacy for medical communities therefore bring needs. Adequate homes. identity. The Wild River expresses our identity

Stored Potential and Harvest Dinner, Omaha, Nebraska The Teaching River expresses our identity

The , Passport Program THE WELCOMING RIVER expresses our identity

Chicago Riverwalk, , Experience Nature HOW THE RIVER WORKS WHITE RIVER BROWN RIVER GREEN RIVER

Prior to development, the river’s After a rain, the river runs brown In the summer the river turns clear water and sandy bottom with sediment dislodged from the green as nutrients feed billions of earned the name “White River” river and surrounding land microscopic algae and diatoms A HEALTHY TRANSECT

DEVELOPED AGRICULTURAL

Smart Development Public Access Continuous Farm Buffer Habitat Levees Flood No-Till Farm

HEALTHY BUFFERS HEALTHY BUFFERS SMART STORMWATER CONNECTED WATERWAY SMART STORMWATER CONNECTED WATERWAY Riverwood Power Dam The study area contains six low-head dams. While each dam serves a unique function, they also create barriers that NOBLESVILLE inhibit the movement and safety of aquatic wildlife and recreational users alike. The function of the dams should be balanced with river ecology and public CARMEL FISHERS safety.

Low-Head Dam Williams Creek Cutoff Dam Broad Ripple Dam

INDIANAPOLIS

Emerichsville Dam Chevy Dam

Harding Street Dam

0 1 2 4 6 8 Miles CONNECTED WATERWAY Riverwood Power Dam

Citizens Energy Group NOBLESVILLE Williams Creek Cutoff Dam (5 Feet) Function: Recreation Broad Ripple Dam (18 Feet) Function: Control CARMEL Chevy Dam (18 Feet) FISHERS Function: Water Cooling

City of Indianapolis Williams Creek Cutoff Dam Broad Ripple Dam Emerichsville Dam (10 Feet) Function: Recreation

INDIANAPOLIS Indianapolis Power & Light Co. Harding Street Dam (10 Feet) Emerichsville Dam Function: Electricity Chevy Dam Duke Energy Riverwood Power Dam (10 Feet) Harding Street Dam

Function: Electricity 0 1 2 4 6 8 Miles HEALTHY BUFFERS Water levels in the River naturally fluctuate in response to seasonal water flows and stormwater. The ecology of NOBLESVILLE the floodplain has adapted to withstand this periodic inundation. Levees help to protect development from inundation.

CARMEL FISHERS

Levee Flood

INDIANAPOLIS

LEGEND Levee 0 1 2 4 6 8 Significant Flood Miles Hazard Area HEALTHY BUFFERS As vegetated corridors, floodplains provide valuable routes for wildlife movement along the River. Bridge NOBLESVILLE construction frequently interrupts these corridors forcing wildlife into the urban fabric.

CARMEL FISHERS Bridge Wildlife Barrier

INDIANAPOLIS

LEGEND Bridges Significant Natural Areas If we treat the river right SYNTHESIS and help it get healthier, maybe we’ll see return of Levee Project(s) seem the mussel populations to be destroying the that are currently NOBLESVILLE natural beauty of the endangered. riparian corridor + nearby neighborhoods.

CARMEL FISHERS

I encourage preservation and restoration of our Riparian zones, floodway & fringe areas all along the White River. Let Nature Preserve & Thrive corridors for all species.

INDIANAPOLIS

LEGEND Obstacles Dams, Levees, Encroachments & Point Source Pollution Challenges Agriculture Practices, CSO Elimination, LUST & Brownfields Strengths Good Habitat & Open Space The Wild River provides nature experience

Northerly Island, Chicago, Illinois The Teaching River provides nature experience

Cumberland Park, Nashville, Tennessee THE WELCOMING RIVER provides nature experience

Whitewater Park, Bend, Oregon Connect Communities PLACES TO CONNECT

Existing and planned trails across the White River reinforce connections to surrounding communities. ASPIRATIONS NEAR AND FAR

River Greenway/Trail Length (mi.) Population (2016) White River White River Greenway 10.6 864,771 Maumee River River Greenway 30.1 264,488 St Joseph River Northside Trail, Riverside Trail and East Bank Trail 8.1 101,735 Scioto River Lower Scioto Greenway 12.2 860,090 Colorado River Ann and Roy Butler Hike and Bike Trail 14.5 947,860 Trinity River Fort Worth Branch Trinity Trails System 47.9 854,113 Charles River Dr Paul Dudley White Bike Path 22.9 673,184 Allegheny and Monongahela River Three Rivers Heritage Trail 24 303,625 Chicago River Centennial Trail 13 2,705,000 Mississippi River Regional Trail 27 413,651 American River American River Bike Trail 32 495,234 Sacramento River Sacramento River Parkway Trail 9.3 495,234 Missouri River Rivers' Edge Trail 41.4 59,178 Cumberland River Cumberland River Greenway 7.58 684,410 Cumberland River Stones River Greenway 9.8 684,410 Kalamazoo River Kalamazoo River Valley Trail 20.9 75,984 Milwaukee River Oak Leaf Trail 120 595,047 WAYS TO CONNECT Obstacles are anywhere there is More bike, walk & canoe a low head dam! Scubbing, Tubing, + Flatboats, travel to downtown would + Raft, Down the River. Fish help all the festivals. Parking (?) an Low Head Dams, is hard, more opportunities Animal bridges: To let wildlife would boost attendance & cross the River alleviate headaches.

Stick w/ the idea of varying the feel + appearance What step are you of walking, biking paths taking to keep residents + trails. Mix of materials in there homes, how will great way to do this. this affect parking? The Wild River connects communities

Pollinator Streets, Portland, Oregon The Teaching River connects communities

Cherry Creek Trail, Denver, Colorado THE WELCOMING RIVER connects communities

Floating Pool, Berlin, Germany Get Outdoors PUBLIC LAND

NOBLESVILLE 9% CARMEL FISHERS Publicly Accessible Land

11% Publicly Accessible Privately Operated

INDIANAPOLIS 4% Inacessible Publicly Owned Land N OPENING VIEWS TO THE RIVER

Visual and Physical Inviting River Views and Barriers Physical Connections SITE PROVIDES..

NO ACCESS ACCESS NEAR WATER (BARRIERS) ACCESS INTO WATER

ACCESS AT WATER’S EDGE MOVEMENT MODES

WHEEL- ~2mph / 30min to travel 1mi CHAIR

WALKING ~3.1mph / 19min:21sec to travel 1mi

JOGGING ~6mph / 10min to travel 1mi

SKATEBOARD ~7mph / 8min:34sec to travel 1mi

CYCLING ~9.6mph / 9min:15sec to travel 1mi

ELECTRIC SCOOTER ~12.5mph / 4min:48sec to travel 1mi

CANOE ~3mph / 20min to travel 1mi

KAYAK ~3.4mph / 17min:38sec to travel 1mi speed of + river flow MOTORIZED BOAT ~15mph /4min to travel 1mi

~5-10mph / SLOW BOAT DINNER CRUISE 6min - 12min to travel 1mi 1 3 2 4 POPULAR 5 DESTINATIONS 6 7 9 8 NOBLESVILLE Butler University 1 Lafayette Trace Park 22 10 and Athletic Fields 2 Strawtown Koteewi Park 23 Central Canal/Trail

3 White River Campgrounds 24 New elds CARMEL FISHERS 11 4 Edge Adventure Park 25 The Virginia B. Fairbanks Art and Nature Park: 100 Acres 12 5 River Bend Campground 26 Lake Sullivan/Sports Complex 13 14 6 Riverwood Canoe Landing 15 27 Taggart Riverside Park/ Family Recreation Center 7 Potter’s Bridge Park 16 28 Lake Indy Boat Rip 8 White River Greenway Trail / Noblesville Riverwalk 29 Municipal Gardens Family Center 18 9 Forest Park Aquatic Center 19 30 Carroll Stadium 20 17 10 White River Canoe Company 31 Indianapolis Canal/ 21 Cultural Trail 23 11 Conner Prairie 22 32 East Bank: NCAA Hall of Champions 25 12 River Road Park 26 24 White River State Park West Bank: 33 28 13 River Heritage Park 27 29 34 White River State Park 30 14 Nonie Werbe Krauss Park 31 32 34 White River State Park West Bank: 33 35 35 36 INDIANAPOLIS 15 Hazel Landing Park 37 39 38 36 16 Town Run Trail Park 40 37 The Rock Flat at the 17 Broad Ripple Park White River 41 18 Marott Park 38 Edison School of the Arts/ 19 Brickman Educational 39 Trail Park Riley Park 20 Holliday Park 40 Lilly Recreation Park 42 21 Friedman Park 41 Southside Land ll/ Crossroads Greenhouse 42 Southwestway Park

Public/ Accessible 4705

P.O.L. Public/ Accessible 6263

P.O.L. NOT Accessible 2961 SEASONAL DESTINATIONS

Spring Summer Fall Winter Madison County Madison County Madison County Madison County Madison

93% 100% 46% 20%

Hamilton County Hamilton County Hamilton County Hamilton County Marion County Marion County Marion County Marion County

85% 96% 74% 55%

Johnson County Johnson County Johnson County Johnson County EDGE CONDITIONS

AGRICULTURAL / MINIMAL IMPACT NATURAL / RESTORED MODERATE IMPACT CONSTRUCTION

HIGH IMPACT CONSTRUCTION INFRASTRUCTURE EDGE CONDITIONS

Improve views along the River - can’t see the Care should be taken River through the scrub! to protect homes from flooding New growth to support housing, retail, and A mix of summer restaurants and winter activities Outdoor recreation that support healthy Improve water quality life-styles like biking, and river health walking, zip-line Easy river access to support kayak/canoe Would like to see a launch path/trail along river LEGEND with good lighting and High Impact Construction Edge Condition 3% Low/Moderate Impact Edge Condition 29% call-boxes for safety Agricultural/Minimal Impact Edge Condition 50% Natural/Restored Edge Condition 18% Infrastructure (Levee) 18% Dam The Wild River gets us outdoors

Glamping, Governor’s Island, New York The Teaching River gets us outdoors

Creek Show, Austin, Texas THE WELCOMING RIVER gets us outdoors

The Lawn on D, , LET’S IDEATE! THE The Wild The Teaching WELCOMING River River RIVER Reveal A Natural History An Industrial A Great History Museum History Park Riverfront Park

Express Productive NPS Passport Riverside Our Identity Landscapes Program Shopping + Dining

Experience Ecological A Regional Nature Great Dam Nature Restoration Playground Experiences

Connect Green Streets and Interpretive Trails Watersheet Communities Infrastructure and Tours Activation

Get Glamping on Environmental A Winter Outdoors the River Art River Festival Explore more online at: MyWhiteRiver.com I have major concerns about EXPERIENCE NATURE the low-head dam @ the PERSPECTIVES power plant. What can we do to eliminate potential accidents Important to work with & increase safe engagement w/ the river in that area? Retrofit the Purdue U. to determine how dams for fish and climate change will affect water safety river early in use planning process. Levee Project(s) seem to be destroying the natural beauty of the riparian corridor + nearby If we treat the river right neighborhoods. and help it get healthier, I encourage preservation and maybe we’ll see return of restoration of our Riparian the mussel populations zones, floodway & fringe areas that are currently all along the White River. Let endangered. Nature Preserve & Thrive corridors for all species.