Group's goal: Turn Fall Creek into a recreation destination

April 10, 2012
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Fall Creek Bridge IndianapolisA partnership of north-side neighborhood groups is developing a plan to clean up and revitalize Fall Creek with a goal of reestablishing the waterway as a community asset. Among the improvements proposed in the plan, dubbed Destination Fall Creek, include removal of invasive brush and trash from the creek's banks, new foot bridges to Fall Creek Park across both the creek and Fall Creek Parkway, public art, horse trails, a canoe launch and soccer fields. The plan also calls for redevelopment of 60 acres of "vacant, abandoned and blighted" properties along the east side of Fall Creek between 30th and 38th streets for commercial, residential and recreational uses. The new foot bridges would be added west of Capitol Avenue after the creek takes a turn to the south, and halfway between 30th Street and the Monon Trail. Walking paths would get upgrades including benches, lighting and security stations. Partners in the effort include several neighborhood groups and community development corporations. Locally based Schmidt Associates has worked on the plan pro bono, but the group ultimately plans to put the project out to bid.

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  • Fall Creek improvements
    MANDApril 10, 2012 10:09 AM
    I have friends I deeply respect who live on the downtown section of Fall Creek. But I doubt even they think it is a good idea for horse trails in the area simply because they could become a large, moving target by up-to-no-good folks with weapons who go through or live near the area. People have choices, horses do not.
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    • Really?
      DexterApril 10, 2012 10:29 AM
      To MAND:

      Out of the whole article you are concerned about the horses? And not just concerned about the horses in general, but that horses are going to be victimized by some nearby horse-hating evildoers? Thank you for the unintentional humor.
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    • Yes!!
      TylerApril 10, 2012 11:31 AM
      Sounds like a great plan, especially now that Ivy Tech has taken over the new hospital.
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    • Destination Fall Creek
      GregApril 10, 2012 1:32 PM
      Not sure if Horse trails is really a concern, we have horse carriages downtown without really any issues. On a side note, I wish Indy had a city playground that's big enough for adults and kids to run around in. St. Louis has one their city museum and it's awesome.

      http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/City_Museum
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    • Horses
      TeresaApril 10, 2012 1:50 PM
      I used to ride horses along Fall Creek growing up. Never once did anyone attack me or the horse. Years ago, it is certain many early settlers had horses along the river. It's nothing new.
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    • 30+ Year Cycle
      KentApril 10, 2012 2:07 PM
      Glad to see it being planned once again, as the section south of 30th Street looks like a very close facimile to the 1980-83 plans prepared by Kevin Parsons for Near North Development Corp and the 'new' Ivy Tech campus lead by Merideth Carter. The Bridge restorations, trails and gateways all match that plan to a T! The horse trails do look doable north of 30th Street, as long as they remain separate from the pedestrian-biker trails, too many conflicts otherwise. The water level will remain too low for any viable canoeing opportunites, even after the CSO issues are corrected as they still claim will be. In +-1983 the creek was dredged and cleard of the sand islands, etc., only to be allowed to quickly fill in again. Long term serious and dedicated maintenance is the only way any of this will work, and that is the hardest part.
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    • I Live in Fall Creek Area
      LeslieApril 11, 2012 3:28 PM
      I live in the redeveloped area of Fall Creek and enjoy it! We are excited to learn of more plans to continue to revitalize the area.
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    • Clarification....
      DougApril 12, 2012 8:57 AM
      Whether horses or people, security is an issue which will be addressed. Ivy Tech is a huge supporter of the Destination Fall Creek plan, and yes, we love that new/old St Vincent classroom building. I live near Fall Creek as well. Much of what we are doing has been shovel ready since George Kessler in 1909. The Creek water level must be increased and managed to allow boats. If you want to be a part of this, click the PLAN hot ink in the article. And yes, this is a long term project, but if you think it cannot happen, look at pictures of the Downtown Canal 50 years ago. A garbage sewage ditch when a young Mayor named Lugar got creative.
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    • Horse Sense and Pirates
      BenApril 12, 2012 11:56 AM
      With that horse sense then obviously none of these ideas are any good. Canoe launch? I give it a week before pirates move in and start stealing them. People have choices, canoes do not.

      Props to Schmidt Associates for working on this, looks like a great project.
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    • What's new?
      Kevin KennedyApril 28, 2012 11:41 AM
      I've got family downtown, and when I lived at 71st&Hague, I'd drive downtown along Fall Creek. I regularly passed a group on horseback on the stretch N. of Keystone. Where will the new canoe ramps be? there's 1 near Keystone, another up near Shadeland.
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    • Property
      RobMay 3, 2012 4:04 AM
      I am excited about the redevelopment of the property along the east side of Fall Creek between 30th and 38th that is mentioned. Recently I was talking about how many abandoned properties are there that could really be put to some great use. It's really a nice stretch of road that could be made even more beautiful.
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