KIB Pocket Park Fund Improves Neighborhoods
Paige Booker Park, one of several pocket parks in central Indiana, has been an important addition to the surrounding neighborhood.
when, without warning, the suspect turned and fired. Officer William Whitfield collapsed from a gunshot wound in his abdomen. Five months later, he would become the first African- American police officer in Indianapolis to die from wounds incurred in the line of duty.
Over the years, one of the cornerstones of the neighborhood – McCord Park – was neglected and became overtaken by overgrown brush and crumbling concrete.
A clean-up of McCord Park in 2006 that involved trimming trees, removing unsightly growth, planting new plants, installing benches and much more helped to unify the neighborhood. Creating a sundial in memory of Officer Whitfield – and some would say, helping to rebuild the Watson-McCord neighborhood – was also one of the many stories that served as a catalyst for a group of anonymous donors to start the Keep Indianapolis Beautiful Inc. Pocket Park Fund at CICF in 2006.
Pocket parks are small parks accessible to the general public. They provide residents with greenery, a place to sit outdoors, and, as space allows, a children’s play area. In urbanized areas such as central Indiana, pocket parks are the only option for creating new public spaces without large- scale redevelopment. In innercity areas, they are often part of urban regeneration plans and provide areas where wildlife such as birds can establish a foothold.
Keep Indianapolis Beautiful Inc. (KIB), through its IPL Project Greenspace program, was one of the funders of the McCord Park revitalization. Shortly after this project was completed, the organization was approached by local residents who had an interest in providing financial resources to create more urban greenspaces.
David Forsell, president of KIB, said, “KIB and its neighborhood partners are so grateful to those who support these projects. Pocket parks are an incredible way to change the physical and human landscape of a neighborhood. Through pocket parks, neighborhood relationships are fostered, community identity and pride are reinforced, and beauty is injected where it is often needed most.”
Since the creation of the fund, more than $45,000 has been contributed, including grants from the original anonymous donors who jumpstarted the fund; The Indianapolis Foundation, an affiliate of CICF; Efroymson Family Fund, a fund of CICF; and many others. With these dollars, KIB is able to increase the number of pocket parks it can create in Marion County with neighborhood associations and other community groups. These parks have included the following:
Paige Booker Park (bounded by Rural, Michigan, Sherman and 10th streets) features many trees, benches, a picnic shelter and a play area for children ages 5-12. The park is dedicated to an infant who died of a heart defect when she was 7 weeks old. This park has been the ultimate catalyst for neighborhood change, where children drag their parents to the park, allowing them to get to know other adults and creating a true sense of community.
West Indianapolis Development Corporation School 46 Park is on the grounds of IPS #46 and is used by both the school and families of the surrounding neighborhood. The park, which is still in development, will feature existing and new playground equipment, courts, new trees and other landscaping, benches or tables, and more.
“We are delighted to partner with KIB to administer this fund,” said Brian Payne, president of CICF. “It’s just one of many exciting examples of how organizations and local residents are transforming our communities neighborhood by neighborhood. CICF is privileged to play a role in helping create inspiring places such as KIB’s pocket parks.”
If you are interested in creating a giving legacy based on one of your passions or knowledge areas, call CICF at 317.634.2423 and ask to speak with someone in Development.
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