The next phase of community meetings to collect feedback from residents for The White River Vision Plan kicks off Oct. 23.
The White River Vision Plan is a community-driven effort led by the City of Indianapolis, Visit Indy and Hamilton County Tourism, Inc. to enhance 58 miles of the White River in Indianapolis and Hamilton County. Community members also can provide thoughts and ideas directly using a survey posted on mywhiteriver.com.
Public meetings during the second “Envision” phase of the White River Vision Plan will involve discussions and ideation around the community-led vision for the plan. Participants will help prioritize potential focus areas for further study, including destinations, recreational opportunities and accessibility opportunities. Programming, market research and unique riverfront events and features all will be considered. New destinations and recreational assets will focus on areas with ecological, historical, cultural, significance and important neighborhood adjacencies.
“The second phase of the White River Vision Plan is very exciting because it gives the community a moment to think really big,” said Emily Mack, director of the Department of Metropolitan Development for the City of Indianapolis. “Because access to the river is practically non-existent in a large part of the study area, how we transport ourselves by foot, car, or bicycle will be one of the largest points of discussion during this time.”
Attendees may meet with city and county officials and core team members from the consulting team. Those who cannot attend are encouraged to participate in the discussion by completing a survey on the White River Vision Plan website. There will be three meetings held in Hamilton County and Indianapolis on the following dates:
Tuesday, Oct. 23, 6 to 8 p.m.
Founders Park/Wilfong Pavilion
11675 Hazel Dell Pkwy., Carmel
Wednesday, Oct. 24, Noon to 1:30 p.m.
Rhodius Park
1720 W. Wilkins St., Indianapolis
Wednesday, Oct. 24, 6 to 7:30 p.m.
ROWPort, Edison School for the Arts
777 S. White River Pkwy., Indianapolis
“We look forward to hearing ideas from Central Indiana residents and visitors about ways to increase accessibility to the river,” said Brenda Myers, President/CEO of Hamilton County Tourism, Inc. “Community feedback is vital to creating a plan that will allow the community to live, work and play around the river.”
Following the 12-month planning period slated for completion in April 2019, the final plan will be shared with the public and a variety of stakeholder groups and organizations. For more information on the White River Vision Plan or to take the community survey, visit mywhiteriver.com. You can also follow My White River on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.
About White River Vision Plan
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. to develop a comprehensive and coordinated regional, community-driven plan to enhance 58 miles of the White River in Indianapolis and Hamilton County. The goal of the vision plan is to create an accessible, recreational and cultural environment that encourages a unique sense of place for the community.