Foundation Seeking Partners For Canal ‘Playscape’
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As a subscriber you can listen to articles at work, in the car, or while you work out. Subscribe NowThe Indianapolis Parks Foundation is taking the initial steps in a plan to develop a playscape along the Downtown Canal. Downtown Indy, which is partnering with the city and foundation, says the plan lines up with its goal of creating more public spaces and “exciting” visual elements. November 20, 2014
News Release
INDIANAPOLIS, Ind. – In partnership with the City of Indianapolis and Downtown Indy, the Indianapolis Parks Foundation recently announced it is seeking engineering and landscape architecture professional services for planning and design of a playscape to be located on the Downtown Canal.
“The Indianapolis Parks Foundation is excited to partner with the City, Downtown Indy and key stakeholders to lead the development and sustainability of Indy's parks, trails, and public spaces,” said Indianapolis Parks Foundation president, Lori Hazlett. “This partnership is a true testament to our ability to identify opportunities for enhancement and growth of our public assets.”
The primary goal of the Downtown Canal Playscape is to create a new destination to attract residents and visitors, fuse art and creative place making with recreation, and promote active and healthy living. These priorities were identified during Downtown Indy's strategic planning research.
“Downtown Indy's Velocity plan calls for activation of public spaces for use by residents and visitors,” said Downtown Indy president Sherry Seiwert. “We are excited that this investment will not only allow for additional recreation opportunities for Downtown residents and visitors, but add an exciting, new visual element to the Canal Cultural District.”
The Canal Playscape will be accessible and engaging to all age groups and backgrounds with a particular focus on interactivity and engagement for young children and families. The nearly one-acre site, located on the canal’s northwest corridor, was selected due to its accessibility adjacent to the Canal and its close proximity to the Glick Peace Walk along the Indianapolis Cultural Trail. The area currently serves as greenspace and is under the management of the Department of Metropolitan Development, who will continue to maintain the space once the project is complete.
The Request for Qualifications is attached and also can be found at www.indyparksfoundation.org and http://downtownindy.org/download-pdf/playscape-rfq.
Qualifications must be submitted by 4 p.m. on Tuesday, Dec. 16, 2014.
About Downtown Indy
Founded in 1993, Downtown Indy, a public/private partnership existing to improve Downtown is also known as Indianapolis Downtown, Inc. As a private, not-for-profit organization, Downtown Indy is uniquely positioned to address issues that affect the area’s growth and well-being. Downtown Indy focuses on three areas: development, management and marketing to advance Downtown as a great place to live, learn, work and play. www.DowntownIndy.org
About the Indianapolis Parks Foundation
The Indianapolis Parks Foundation seeks financial support from community partners such as service organizations, corporations and individuals to purchase land, develop new parks, maintain existing parks, upgrade park facilities and provide support to programs benefitting children, families and seniors throughout Indianapolis. To learn more, visit www.indyparksfoundation.org or call (317) 860-3253.
Source: Downtown Indy