Stakeholder Committee White River Vision Plan

INDIANAPOLIS AND HAMILTON COUNTY, INDIANA • JANUARY 2019 PROJECT TIMELINE

Discover Envision Action 2018 2019

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

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

PUBLIC RELEASE OF PLAN

ST = Steering Committee .SH = Stakeholder Committee PM = Public Meeting 13,000+ VOICES ARE DEFINING THE WHITE RIVER PLAN

10,000+ reached 320+ public 350 responses to in existing events meeting attendees survey map

1,200 on-line 920 web sign-ups 65 river guides surveys taken

NEIGHBORHOOD PUBLIC MEETINGS EXISTING EVENTS CONVERSATIONS CRAFTING THE VISION

Discover Envision Action 2018 2019

Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sept Oct Nov Dec Jan Feb Mar Apr May GUIDANCE FROM COMMUNITY LEADERS

AARP Haughville Strong La Plaza Adventist Helping Veterans Hoosier Interfaith Power & Light Mayors Neighborhood Advocates African American Coalition of Ignite Achievement Academy MIBOR Realtor Association Indianapolis (27 organizations) IN Youth Group NAACP Environmental Justice Amvet Post 99 Indiana Black Expo Indianapolis Chapter Committee ARC of IN Indiana Latino Institute Near West Collaborative Big Car Indiana Neighborhood Housing Northwest Quality of Life Brightwood Community Center Partnership Pike Township School Board Burmese American Community Institute Indiana Youth Institute Radio Latina radio stations - WEDJ, Christamore House Indianapolis Marion County Public Library WNTS, WSYW* Community Link Show* & the Center for Black Literature and Riverside Civic League Culture Earth Charter Indiana Roberts Settlement Indianapolis Oasis Edna Martin Christian Center Sister Soldier Network Indianapolis Urban League Exchange Exodus Refugee Stand for Children Indiana INDY Neighborhood Resource Center Flanner House Urban League- Exchange Indy Parks Global Prep Academy Veterans Support Council of Marion IndyConvergence (Stringtown) County Greater Indianapolis Progress Committee IndyHub Volunteers of America Groundwork Indy Keep Indianapolis Beautiful Westside CDC ONE RIVER, ONE VISION

The White River is Central Indiana’s next frontier: unifying and diverse, productive and protected, timeless and contemporary.

The River sets us apart as communities that can work together to realize big dreams. Its healing power guides us toward a resilient future, supports healthy neighborhoods and economies, honors the past and improves the lives of Hoosiers for generations to come. GUIDING PRINCIPLES

Restore the river’s environment and ecology to Respect and build on the river’s unique historic 1 enhance its natural function, steward its diverse 5 identity to invite people in and enable them to community of life, and adapt to a climate understand and appreciate the river’s stories. resilient future. Expand the river’s role in our everyday lives Enhance community stewardship of the 6 to build regional economic strength and 2 river’s health by increasing opportunities for community identity. meaningful, lasting connections and experiences that add value to the quality of life of residents. Partner across boundaries to collaboratively 7 manage the White River system and create Increase year-round activities that attract efficient operations and sustainable governance. 3 people to the river for arts and entertainment, recreation, gathering, and learning. Celebrate the diversity of the region’s 8 communities on the river to preserve places for Draw people to, along, into, and across the everyone for generations to come. 4 White River’s publicly accessible spaces to create vibrant experiences that bring people Balance community sentiments with long-term together. 9 aspirations that honor ownership and use- patterns along the river. RESTORE AND ADAPT

Principle #1 Strategies: • Identify, protect, restore and manage important natural areas and natural connections • Retrofit dams to support ecological function and outdoor recreation • Explore voluntary buyouts in the floodplain • Implement stormwater programs to reduce runoff • Use quarry ponds and surroundings for additional flood storage

Before: Isolated Reaches After: Free Flowing River STEWARD RIVER HEALTH

Principle #2 Strategies: • Strategically use publicly- Ground floor Regional Trail activation Lighting and owned spaces to connect Universal Play Spaces Crosswalks River Access/ the public from east to Floodable Trail Views west, and north to south Beach • Monitor ecological health and human safety and share results widely • Implement safe routes to all destinations, including parks and schools, and RETAIL/DINING RIVERFRONT PARK NAVIGABLE NATURE PRESERVE NEIGHBORHOOD enhance connections to CONNECTION WATERWAY CONNECTION riverfront trails and places for river access INCREASE YEAR-ROUND ACTIVITIES Principle #3 Strategies: • Activate riverfront destinations year-round with inclusive programming • Increase river views by opening vegetation in key locations • Connect retail destinations to existing recreational and river assets • Recapture large productive landscapes (quarries, landfills) for recreation programming and stormwater capture Expand Seasonal Programming DRAW PEOPLE TO

THE RIVER Private landownership with no easements Private landownership with river easement Principle #4 Strategies: • Maximize bike and pedestrian connections by linking to existing and planned public improvements • Increase river access opportunities and ensure universal access to the river • Reinforce and help implement past planning ideas • Foster a regional network of trails, water access, and open space systems Publicly-owned land Private landownership with no easements

Public Accessibility BUILD ON THE RIVER’S STORIES Principle #5 Strategies: • Use history and heritage to support environmental education, arts and placemaking Carmel Arts District • Create and activate an Interpretive Plan • Prioritize improvements to places along the river Walden Pond Woods relevant to the river’s heritage • Create a unified graphic identity that supports the interpretive plan and

creates consistency in National Park Service branding of the White River Minneapolis Mill Ruins Park BUILD REGIONAL ECONOMIC STRENGTH AND COMMUNITY IDENTITY

Principle #6 Strategies: Concert at the Wharf, • Implement programming Washington D.C. that leverages the unique assets of communities along the river, while contributing to a holistic economic development strategy • Create gathering places that will attract and engage diverse visitors, including residents, workers, students, and tourists • Promote inclusive

redevelopment that Greenville, North support the local economy Carolina Singapore Gardens and improve quality of life by the Bay PARTNER ACROSS BOUNDARIES

Principle #7 Strategies: • Develop a sustainable operating model supported Public Agencies Construction & Development by diverse revenue streams- -including earned income, Capital Maintenance contributed income, value Routine O&M capture, and public funding. Security • Implement a governance strategy that accounts for Management the motivations, expertise, Earned Income Program funding capabilities, and public accountability of the Fundraising & Advocacy jurisdictions and partners Programming involved. Private/Non-profit Partners PRESERVE PLACES FOR EVERYONE Principle #8 Strategies: • Develop a local business stabilization program for commercial districts and corridors • Preserve affordable and contributing building stock • Provide a mix of housing types and price points • Link the citywide network of parkways/boulevards, rail trails and greenways to the river • Improve local river access • Expand opportunities for park access • Integrate history, culture, and art into all aspects of the White River

Connected Neighborhoods Across and Along the River HONOR OWNERSHIP AND USE-PATTERNS Principle #9 Strategies: • Continue community outreach and engagement as

the plan is implemented White River Vision • Respect private land rights Plan Outreach

and make public investments New York Harbor only on publicly accessible School, New York City land • Work with local governments to create a joint overlay district to respect existing activities and ownership along the river

Butler University Outreach Strawtown

Riverwood RIVER REACHES Clare NORTH REACH North Reach Westfield Lafayette Trace to 206th Street Carmel Noblesville Meadow Reach MEADOW REACH 206th Street to Conner Keystone at the Prairie/126th Street Crossing Quarry Reach Fishers 126th Street to 82nd Street Meridian Hills/ QUARRY REACH Williams Creek Castleton

Village Lakes Crow’s Nest Allisonville 82nd Street to 29th Street Wynnedale VILLAGE LAKES Protected Reach Ravenswood Marian-Cold Springs 29th Street/Riverside Park to I-465 Near Westside Downtown South Bluffs West Indianapolis I-465 to Southwestway Park PROTECTED REACH Near Southside Mars Hill North Perry Valley Mills SOUTH BLUFFS

West Newton Sunshine Gardens Strawtown Koteewi RIVER ANCHORS

NORTH REACH STRAWTOWN KOTEEWI PARK NOBLESVILLE CONNER PRAIRIE Downtown Noblesville

MEADOW REACH Conner Prairie, Landfill and Quarries

CLEARWATER AT I-465 BROAD RIPPLE QUARRY REACH Clearwater at I-465 Broad Ripple

VILLAGE LAKES

Downtown, EMRICHSVILLE DAM SOUTHWESTWAY PARK Riverside Park, Emrichsville Dam

PROTECTED REACH

Sunshine

SOUTH BLUFFS Southwestway Park WALNUT GROVE RD

STRAWTOWN

Today AGRICULTURE/ RESIDENTIAL

AGRICULTURE/ RESIDENTIAL NATURE CENTER

E 234TH ST WHITE RIVER CAMPGROUND

STRAWTOWN KOTEEWI AGRICULTURE/ PARK RESIDENTIAL

AGRICULTURE/ RESIDENTIAL

OVERDORF RD

RT 37 WALNUT GROVE RD

ECONOMY Construct a lookout tower to 6 highlight the river and serve RIVER HEALTH ACCESS as a regional gateway Incorporate bird blinds Build boardwalk 2 4 PARTNERSHIPS and accessible ramps STRAWTOWN trails in flood zones LAND USE 7 Extend conservation along the river 9 Build a separated multi- districts to significant Future modal trail along 234th tributaries into the river Street that connects

EXPERIENCE 3 Connect program functions via walkable trails and cluster venues for activities

E 234TH ST WHITE RIVER CAMPGROUND

STRAWTOWN RESORT

EXPERIENCE 3 Support new investments in recreation and economic development

HISTORY Expand the nature center and 5 programs for environmental and history education ENVIRONMENT Incentivize agricultural 1 COMMUNITY conservation practices 8 Create appropriate signage to highlight private property and encourage river stewardship

OVERDORF RD

RT 37

CONTROLLED CROSSING

VIEWING TOWER

TRAIL INTERPRETIVE SIGNAGE

BISON GRAZING PASTURE

MULTI- MODAL TRAIL VEHICULAR PULLOFF NOBLESVILLE HIGH SCHOOL NOBLESVILLE Today

FOREST PARK

CONNER ST

LOGAN ST FEDERAL HILL MAPLE AVE COMMONS CHERRY ST WESTFIELD RD

NICKEL PLATE ARTS

10TH ST

9TH ST SOUTHSIDE 8TH ST PARK NOBLESVILLE HIGH SCHOOL

NOBLESVILLE PARTNERSHIPS Partner with small EXPERIENCE 7 businesses create walkable Future Expand programs take connected streets advantage of free flowing river 3 ENVIRONMENT and connect to waterfront FOREST PARK 1 Green streets + stormwater destinations treatment train to capture and clean runoff

CONNER ST

LOGAN ST FEDERAL HILL MAPLE AVE COMMONS CHERRY ST WESTFIELD RD RIVER HEALTH Catalyze sustainable and flood 2 resilient riverfront development NICKEL PLATE within redevelopment boundaries ARTS Riverwalk

COMMUNITY 8 Spaces to host small events and gatherings

10TH ST

9TH ST SOUTHSIDE 8TH ST PARK HISTORY 5 Plan interpretive trails that connect stories and places

ACCESS 4 Create a continuous riverfront park ECONOMY LAND USE The Great Northern 9 Gateway! 6 Extend the Nickel Plate Trail

RIVERFRONT REDEVELOPMENT

NEW CONNECTIONS

INVITING RIVERFRONT ACCESS RIVER ACCESS

PROMENADE PROGRAMMABLE LAWN SPACE CONNER PRAIRIE Today RIVER RD

146TH ST

CONNER PRAIRIE 146TH ST EXPANSION

CONNER PRAIRIE

HARRISON THOMPSON ALLISONVILLE RD CITY PARK ENVIRONMENT Use retired quarries for 1 additional flood capacity CONNER PRAIRIE during major rain events Future RIVER RD LAND USE Preserve existing agricultural 9 uses through conservation easements

146TH ST ECONOMY Enhance views and access COMMUNITY RIVER HEALTH 6 Reduce impacts on from river to surrounding Create safe pedestrian 8 2 neighborhoods crossings to multiple core natural areas destinations with ‘light touch’ recreation areas

CONNER PRAIRIE 146TH ST EXPANSION

PARTNERSHIPS 7 Partner with landowners to manage rainwater on site CONNER PRAIRIE ACCESS 4 Provide river excursions from Conner Prairie to other HISTORY river destinations Link the community 5 to river as a living laboratory

EXPERIENCE 3 Expand Conner Prairie museum experiences along the river year-round HARRISON THOMPSON ALLISONVILLE RD by supporting plan implementation! CITY PARK

FOREST + MEADOW RESTORATION RIVER CROSSING ROCK REDEVELOPMENT SWIMMING CLIMBING

TRAIL CONNECTIONS ROPES COURSE

PROTECTED AGRICULTURE LAND WATER RECREATION

MARSH

OPENED VIEWS TO RIVER CLEARWATER Today

GRAY RD

E 96TH ST

ALLISONVILLE RD

I-465

I-465

RIVER RD

E 86TH ST

N KEYSTONE AVE UNION CHAPEL RD ACCESS ENVIRONMENT Use Clear Path 465 project to enhance river 4 1 Capture and retain water on-site CLEARWATER and increase pervious spaces visibility from roadways ACCESS 4 Create an integrated Future ENVIRONMENT bike-kayak network RIVER HEALTH Integrate Oliver’s Woods into 1 2 Connect the river into larger wildlife corridor planned Nickel Plate Trail COMMUNITY to Noblesville GRAY RD 8 Incentivize affordable and market rate housing connected E 96TH ST to transit and job centers EXPERIENCE Merge retail campuses with outdoor recreation opportunities, 3 PARTNERSHIPS Collaborate with developers centered around the river 7 to achieve flood resilience in buildings and landscapes

ALLISONVILLE RD

I-465

RIVER RD

N KEYSTONE AVE LAND USE ECONOMY UNION CHAPEL RD 9 Encourage mixed Improve streetscapes use development that 6 and reduce speeds reduces car dependence between retail nodes for daily errands

RIVERFRONT RETAIL

OPEN VIEWS TO RIVER PUBLIC PROGRAMMING

RIVER GREENWAY

TRANSPARENT EDGES MARSH

86TH ST TRANSIT CORRIDOR N COLLEGE AVE BROAD RIPPLE Today

MAROTT NATURE PRESERVE

EVANSTON AVE

INDIANAPOLIS ART CENTER BROAD RIPPLE PARK

N MERIDIAN ST

64TH ST

BROAD RIPPLE AVE CORNELL AVE HOLLIDAY PARK 63RD ST

N COLLEGE AVE

INDIANAWESTFIELD CENTRAL BLVD CANAL

CENTRAL AVE N COLLEGE AVE

ENVIRONMENT 1 Retrofit dam to create better wildlife BROAD RIPPLE habitat in Marott Nature Preserve ACCESS Create paths and carve Future views/ overlooks over and 4 along the levees ECONOMY Convert a strong canal village 6 into a strong RIVER village MAROTT NATURE PRESERVE RIVER HEALTH 2 Help to implement past planning PARTNERSHIPS efforts including Broad Ripple Park Partner to create Plan, and the Riverwalk 7 COMMUNITY meaningful places Preserve existing building alongside necessary stock and create gentle 8 infrastructure infill development

OXBOW

BROAD RIPPLE PARK

N MERIDIAN ST

BROAD RIPPLE AVE CORNELL AVE HOLLIDAY LAND USE HISTORY PARK 63RD ST 9 Incentivize development 5 Establish the that supports community commercial core as a needs and desires national register historic MONON TRAIL WESTFIELDEXPERIENCE BLVD N COLLEGEdistrict AVE 3 Move parking away from canal and create vibrant spaces close to river’s edge

REDEVELOPMENT

WATERFRONT PROGRAMMING

MULTIMODAL CONNECTIONS

OPEN VIEWS INFRASTRUCTURE ENHANCEMENTS

WATER ACCESS

RIVER PROMENADE MARSH

INFRASTRUCTURE ENHANCEMENTS OVERLOOKS MICHIGAN RD

I-65 DOWNTOWN INDIANAPOLIS Today

10TH ST

MICHIGAN ST

WASHINGTON ST MICHIGAN RD

RIVER HEALTH 2 I-65 Remove invasive 4 understory and create DOWNTOWN river views INDIANAPOLIS 4 ACCESS Future Build a canoe launch and EXPERIENCE 3 integrated trail network Implement the Riverside Regional Park master plan

PARTNERSHIPS ENVIRONMENT 7 Unify civic, academic Retrofit 1 and business campuses Emrichsville Dam EXPERIENCE Upgrade Mozel Sanders 3 Park and incorporate 10TH ST physical river access

MICHIGAN ST

ENVIRONMENT 1 Protect vital wildlife habitat below the levee and create new downtown park space

LAND USE Preserve neighborhood WASHINGTON ST character and connect 9 anchor parks and facilities to the riverfront 8 COMMUNITY Strengthen pedestrian and bike infrastructure across ECONOMY 6 all bridges into Downtown Support sustainable and inclusive development that strengthens our shared riverfront

REVITALIZE MOZEL SANDERS PARK + IMPROVE RIVER CONNECTION

UPLAND SHORT EMRICHSVILLE DAM PRAIRIE CONVERTED INTO MOIST PRAIRIE ROCKY RAMP

RIVER WET MEADOW ACCESS & MARSH RIVER OBSERVATION DECK

WHITE RIVER TRAIL FLOATING STAGE

RIVER RECREATIONAL ACTIVITIES SOUTHWESTWAY SOUTHPORT RD Today

SOUTHPORT RD

WICKER RD

RALSTON RD ACCESS Create a park entrance PARTNERSHIPS 4 off Southport Road 7 Work with utilities to better SOUTHPORT RD connect trails and create new SOUTHWESTWAY river access points Future HISTORY Allow the public to interact CITY OF INDIANAPOLIS 5 with the historic significance WASTEWATER TREATMENT RIVER HEALTH of this area and engage with Use the free flowing river SOUTHPORT RD 2 archeological projects to create places for tubing, kayaking

ENVIRONMENT Reforest undeveloped elements of the park 1 ACCESS 4 Create many places to “touch” the river

EXPERIENCE SOUTHWESTWAY LAND USE Program with regional events, PARK Long-term connections to overnight camps, concerts 3 9 quarries post industrial use

PARTNERSHIPS WICKER RD 7 Engage with communities down river of the park

RALSTON RD

COMMUNITY 8 Protect valuable farmland from development

EXPERIENCE Provide ranger-led talks 3 about the ecology and history of the park

CAMP SITE BIRDWATCHING

TRAIL

RIVER ACCESS

BOARDWALK STRAWTOWN KOTEEWI PARK NOBLESVILLE CONNER PRAIRIE EMRICHSVILLE DAM

CLEARWATER AT I-465 BROAD RIPPLE SOUTHWESTWAY PARK