welcome! Our first White River Vision Plan community open house The White River Vision Plan is a community-driven process in Indianapolis and Hamilton County to develop a holistic vision and comprehensive plan that explores the enormous potential of our river to enhance regional vibrancy, ecological integrity, livability and economic vitality. The White River Vision Plan is a joint effort between the City of Indianapolis and Hamilton County Tourism, Inc. in partnership with Visit Indy’s philanthropic arm, Tourism Tomorrow, Inc. The Vision Plan would not be possible without the concerted efforts of our shareholder partners, the White River Alliance, Friends of the White River, and Reconnecting Our Waterways. Our study area Hamilton County and Indianapolis Why plan regionally? The Central Indiana White River study area is one mile wide US - 31 and extends for 58 miles from Lafayette Trace Park in Hamilton CLARE County to Southwestway Park in Indianapolis. Between these parks, STRAWTOWN two counties and multiple cities, NORTH NOBLESVILLE neighborhoods, tributaries and major infrastructure systems lie US - 38 alongside the White River. This plan is an opportunity to better connect all of these individual US - 32 NOBLESVILLE elements together through the power of a river vision, creating a region that is stronger than the RIVER ROAD sum of its parts. I - 69 CARMEL FISHERS US - 31 ELLER ROAD KEYSTONE AT THE CROSSING NORTH CENTRAL CASTLETON MERIDIAN HILLS/ WILLIAMS CREEK CLEARWATER I - 465 ALLISONVILLE RAVENSWOOD DELAWARE TRAILS GLENDALE BROAD RIPPLE I - 69 CROWS NEST MERIDIAN KESSLER WYNNEDALE/ SPRING HILL ROCKY RIPPLE EAGLEDALE I - 465 RIVERSIDE MARIAN-COLD SPRINGS I - 70 I - 65 INDIANAPOLIS I - 465 DOWNTOWN NEAR WESTSIDE NEAR SOUTHSIDE WEST INDIANAPOLIS I - 65 MAYWOOD GARFIELD PARK I - 70 MARS HILL NORTH PERRY I - 465 SUNSHINE GARDENS VALLEY MILLS LEGEND SOUTHERN DUNES White River WEST NEWTON Mile Study Area Buffer Incorporated Area Major Roads Rail 0 1 2 4 8 N MILES SCALE 1: 80,000 Phase One Our Process April - July 2018 The White River Vision Plan will Forecasting our journey together inventory past planning efforts, identify ownership along the river, development and mobility patterns, demographic and economic trends, and environmental systems. It includes research on ecological and hydrologic conditions and water quality along the river. Discovery You are here! Analyzing the River Today Today we will share a OPEN HOUSE #1 summary of our findings and get your ideas for next steps. Phase Two July - December 2018 We will develop a long list of destinations and opportunities based on our Phase One analysis and your ideas from this meeting. Programming and market research, and unique riverfront features and events will be considered. We will draw attention to areas of unusual ecological, historical, cultural, scientific or aesthetic significance. Envision We will be back in October! Imagining Possibilities To solicit your help to narrow the list of destinations. OPEN HOUSE #2 After our second public conversation, we will develop concepts, programs and designs for sites in both counties. Phase Three December - April, 2019 Action We hope to see you in January! Focusing on Implementation! We will ask for your reactions OPEN HOUSE #3 to the concept plans and draft plan recommendations. The vision plan will provide guidance for the Central Indiana community to implement the plan ideas over time. We will share a draft plan document on our website for comments and submit a final plan in Spring, 2019. For more information, visit our website: mywhiteriver.com Why this plan now? Keeping the region competitive, resilient and vibrant OUR COMPETITORS A National Trend Cities across the country are investing in their waterways to create healthier, Cincinnati Columbus vibrant communities. For Central Indiana to remain competitive and maintain its Chicago high quality of life, the White River is a great canvas for us to paint a new Columbus Denver picture on! Chicago NashvilleNashville OUR COMPETITORS Cincinnati Columbus Chicago Nashville A Legacy for Indiana Indiana is experiencing population change faster than in previous decades, with Central Indiana leading the state in this population boom. With such rapid growth comes the challenge of ensuring livability and sustainability for all, as well as the opportunity of greater vitality. The White River Vision Plan will help increase access to nature and culture, economic opportunity, and community well-being, solidifying the region’s role as Indiana’s cultural heart! Greater Indianapolis Region Regional Momentum Noblesville Communities along the White River are experiencing a renaissance. Downtown Carmel Fishers development is accelerating, arts and cultural institutions are expanding their visions, Indianapolis Upper White River Watershed and parks and trails have contributed to a flourishing public realm. The White River is the next frontier. Long invisible, the river is awakening from a long period of underutilization and ecological degradation. Open House Themes What will we discover today? Help us better understand the White River First, tell us where you live, work and your favorite place near or on the river using the colored pins next to the map. The boards around the room are arranged by themes. Visit as many board stations as you would like to learn more about each theme and talk to a knowledgeable team member. Each station will also have comment flags — write down your response to the prompts and post your flag on the map. Express our Identity Here, we will learn about how Reveal History the region is changing and what it means for our neighborhoods At this station, we will take a along the river over the next walk down memory lane and Place the yellow dots thirty years. explore some of the unique close to home moments in Central Indiana White River history. Place the green dots on your favorite place on the river Place the red dots on a place that needs attention or could be an opportunity Place the blue dots near where you work or go to school Experience Nature Get Outdoors At this station, we will take We have identified many of the a crash course in the natural attractions that bring people systems of the river, and the to the river year round. Explore impacts of development on seasonal activities and different wildlife and ecological systems. ways to enjoy the river. Connect Communities Follow along as we learn about the existing access points to the White River, and the character of the trail system. What lessons from our river’s past can influence the decisions we make about our river’s future? Reveal History A shared asset and shared legacy Take a walk down memory lane to explore some of the unique moments in Central Indiana White River history. Reveal History Districts and historic landmarks along the river Lafayette Trace US - 31 LAFAYETTE TRACE Ambassador House and Heritage Gardens US - 38 POTTER’S BRIDGE FOREST PARK DOWNTOWN NOBLESVILLE US - 32 NOBLESVILLE Potter’s Bridge I - 69 CONNER PRAIRIE CARMEL FISHERS Downtown Noblesville US - 31 AMBASSADOR HOUSE AND GARDENS I - 465 I - 69 Conner Prairie HISTORIC MERIDIAN PARK TOWN OF CROWS NEST HISTORIC DISTRICT FOREST HILLS NORTH MERIDIAN STREET OLIVER JOHNSON’S WOODS I - 465 INDIANAPOLIS PARK + I - 65 BOULEVARD SYSTEM HERRON-MORTON I - 70 AND CHATHAM-ARCH LOCKEFIELD Park and Boulevard System GARDENS WOODRUFF PLACE HAUGHVILLE IRVINGTON HISTORIC DISTRICT I - 465 HISTORIC DISTRICT LOCKERBIE SQUARE WHOLESALE FLETCHER PLACE DISTRICT HISTORIC DISTRICT INDIANAPOLIS I - 65 I - 70 Haughville Historic District I - 465 LEGEND White River Mile Study Area Buffer Incorporated Area Major Roads Rail Forest Hills Historic District Historic Districts Ambassador House image source: FunCity Finder.com; 0 1 2 4 8 William Conner House Image Source: CC BY 2.5, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=308323 Haughville Historic District image source: By Nyttend - Own work, Public Domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=14992705 N MILES Forest Hills Historic District image source: By Nyttend - Own work, Public Domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=14638741 SCALE 1: 80,000 Reveal History Timeline 16,000 years ago Glaciers carved Indiana The landscape of Indiana was formed by glacial fields which carved dunescapes, fertile prairie lands, and rolling hills through the state. Pre-1690 Miamis and the River 1715 The Miami and Delaware Indian tribes were Europeans use 1823 - The William Conner Home is the first brick house in Early 1900s - a fisherman clamming for freshwater pearls. the first inhabitants along the Wabash and Hamilton County. The pearls were used to make buttons for shirts. an elk trail that White Rivers. will be named Lafayette Trace. 1818 1818 Indiana becomes a US territory. Early Settlement Following the War of 1812, the U.S. government secured the Treaty of St. Marys, opening Central 1821 Indiana to European American settlement. Indianapolis founded. 1847 1823 1940s - manufacturing facilities and factories in their heyday along the river. First recorded Rails over Rivers major flood. The Indianapolis & Madison Railroad is completed Hamilton to Indianapolis. Soon, seven different rail lines becomes a meet in Indianapolis, quickly rendering canals and county. river transportation inferior. 1886 1909 Gas Boom Kessler Plan for Natural gas is discovered and supported Indianapolis. significant population and industry growth. Industry pollution at the time was unregulated and 1983 - First White River State Park festival. 2013 - Engineers survey the Dig Indy tunnel project. 1913 typically discharged into the river. White River flood reaches 22.4 feet. 1915 Pollution Concerns State legislature introduces a bill demanding that all cities and towns using the river for sewage disposal must install sewage treatment. Tell us 1925 1928 Forest Park Created Butler University’s One of the first parks in an extensive park system in a story... Hinkle Fieldhouse is Noblesville and Hamilton County. completed. 1981 What is one of your fondest Park Master Planning memories along the White River? The White River Park Master Plan is created, bringing 1991 programs and people to the river for recreation.