The City of Indianapolis, Visit Indy and Hamilton County Tourism, Inc. recently shared findings from the first round of public meetings and focus groups held this July as part of the White River Vision Plan, a comprehensive and community-driven regional plan to enhance 58 miles of the largest river in Central Indiana. The meetings offered several ways the community hopes to utilize, transform and support the White River. The public can also provide additional feedback through a community-wide survey available now on mywhiteriver.com. Community meetings, as listed in the box below are also scheduled this fall at several locations in Central Indiana.
More than 150 community members attended three meetings held in Indianapolis and Noblesville on July 11 and 12 to share ideas, questions and concerns about the White River Vision Plan. A steering committee and several focus groups comprised of local businesses, non-profits and neighborhood groups were created to look closely at specific areas of the White River to be addressed in the plan.
“It is incredibly important for us to hear comments from residents and reactions about the project as it develops in scope,” said Emily Mack, director of the Department of Metropolitan Development for the City of Indianapolis. “The feedback we received aligns with the White River Vision Plan’s goals to address water quality, sustainability of structures and a preservation and restoration of the river for all of Indianapolis and Hamilton County to enjoy.”
Attendees spoke directly with core team members from Agency Landscape + Planning, RATIO Architects, DAVID RUBIN Land Collective, Applied Ecological Services, Engaging Solutions, Heritage Strategies, HR&A, Land Story and Christopher B. Burke Engineering. Community members interacted with large maps of the study area, marked points where they live, work and play, and provided valuable feedback about their experiences along the river.
Ideas from the public covered many topics that impact the White River and the way people interact with it. The following themes emerged from those conversations with the community:
- Considerations for more water access
- Questions about water quality
- Opportunities to expand recreational offerings
- Ideas for healthy growth and development that does not negatively impact existing communities and private landowners
- Places to enhance corridors for wildlife along the river and preserve the river’s “wildness”
- Infrastructure (dams, levees)
- Transportation links to the river and key destinations
- Events and attractions
Water access, transportation and balanced development consistently ranked as the most discussed topics for the White River’s future. Ideas ranged from new trailheads to concerns about bridge construction, impacts on bicyclists and parking during events. Participants noted the need for more visual and physical access to the White River – an idea that reflects the limited connections today as well as the improved perception of the river and the water quality. The community also commented on the sensitive relationships between development and private property along the river.
“We’ve heard residents’ concerns about public versus private land ownership,” said Brenda Myers, president and CEO of Hamilton County Tourism, Inc. “The goals of the White River Vision Plan are united with the community’s desire to preserve, restore and open public spaces for easy river access and enjoyment. We are passionate about educating residents on and off the river about how they can contribute to protecting and respecting our waterways so that future generations to come can continue to benefit from this natural resource.”
Beginning in May 2018, the core team began analyzing history, demographics, industry, connectivity, hydrology, ecology and recreational assets of the White River.
Key findings from the group’s analyses include the following:
- Reveal History: Since before Indiana was established as a territory in 1800, the White River has been a central part of Indiana’s history. Investments in canal and railway infrastructure in the late 1800s, major flood events that began with the 1913 flood of record and an attention to the ecological health of the river in the late 20th century, have all contributed to the river’s rich history.
- Express Our Identity: Many Indiana communities evolved from farming towns to incredibly diverse, vibrant metropolitan areas. To date, Indianapolis and Hamilton County are responsible for more than half of Indiana’s growth, with Hamilton County projected to double in coming years. The tourism industry also grew 6.1 percent between 2015 and 2016 (Hamilton County grew 9.3 percent). The river flows through racially and ethnically diverse neighborhoods, connecting east and west into a vibrant quilt of homes, businesses and gathering places.
- Get Outdoors: There are over 40 destinations along the 58-mile stretch of the White River that draw hundreds of thousands to millions of people annually. Using strategic and balanced program placement with different forms of engagement along the river, this plan can help the community celebrate and bolster areas that are already being enjoyed, as well as extend the enjoyment of the river throughout the year and through different seasons.
- Experience Nature: Since 1913, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Association (NOAA) has recorded 259 floods in this region. The regularity of flood events and risk of major flooding is increasing, threatening homes, businesses and vital natural habitats. The river is also home to 134 fish species and a variety of mammals and birds. To build awareness about the river and encourage stewardship for the river, the White River must be a clean, safe and a remarkably beautiful place.
- Connect Communities: Within the study area, Indianapolis and Hamilton County have taken very different approaches to connectivity. Indianapolis has a well-connected bus system and several regional trails that radiate from downtown, while Hamilton County has a well-distributed trail system that bridges both east and west sides of the river. Increasing opportunities, enhancing and improving points of connection, and providing options for safe and easy access for all will culminate to more people seeing, using and appreciating all the White River has to offer.
Following the 12-month planning period, 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, visit mywhiteriver.com. You can also follow the My White River accounts on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.