14C: Increase Park Funding
Advocate for increased and sustained public funding for local and state park systems to enable them to offer world-class natural and recreational amenities without additional reliance on user fees. For local park systems, set a goal of exceeding the national median as published by the Trust for Public Land ($88 in 2019). Support efforts for communities to improve their park systems while also focusing on reducing regional funding disparities between local park systems so that all residents have access to quality amenities. Investment models focused on proximity measurements, like “10 minute walk” programs, should be challenged as they result in inequitable distribution of public funding.
Value to the Community
Parks contribute significantly to a community's quality-of-life, neighborhood desirability, physical and mental health, environmental quality, and more. Some regional communities have prioritized investments in their park systems, while others, including IndyParks, have been dramatically underinvested in for some time.Value to the Hospitality Industry
Growing demand for outdoor experiences, as well as for authentic, local experiences puts Indy at a competitive disadvantage compared to cities that have prioritized investment in their local park systems. Addressing this disadvantage is key to improving destination appeal and meeting visitors’ expectations.Updates
- September 2024. Revitalizing Indiana State Parks. Lilly Endowment Inc. has awarded a $50 million grant to the Indiana Department of Natural Resources to support major enhancements across Indiana State Parks, including doubling campsite capacity and developing facilities that highlight the land’s Native American heritage. An additional $10 million from DNR will further address ongoing maintenance and preservation efforts.
- June 2023. Grant Supports Chess in the Park initiative. Local non-profit, Youth 2 Greatness, Inc. has been trying to reduce the spikes in violence especially involving those with the youth and lift people’s spirits with its Chess in the Park initiative. The president, Yuri Smith, grew up learning to play chess and found great benefit to it keeping him out of trouble. So, he has been bringing that opportunity to the local community and recently they were awarded an Elevation Grant from the Indianapolis Foundation. This additional funding will help them expand their efforts to other neighborhoods and provide some snacks to the kids playing.
- January 2023. Lilly Endowment Grants $80m for Indy Parks. The Lilly Endowment granted Indy Parks $80m for investment in specific parks and programs throughout the park system.
- February 2021. Circle City Forward Park Funding. The City of Indianapolis committed $45m in bond funding for targeted investments in Frederick Douglass, Riverside, Grassy Creek, and Krannert parks.
Key Partners
Confirmed Partners
- Partnerships Under Development
Recommended Partners
Priority + Progress
Monitoring priorities are the middle 60% or so of actions that TTI is keeping its eye on and supporting as needed.
TTI Role
The encourage role means TTI is offering encouragement to partners pursuing this action. This is the least-involved type of role and typically applicable when partners don't need much help.
