Initatives
Background | INSTEPP | Parks and Greenspace | Crime Watch

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. 

INSTEPP
Indy Northside Sidewalks and Trails  Engaging People with Places

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

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