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Welcome!
Welcome!
In 2018, the Metropolitan Development Commission adopted a new master plan for Broad Ripple Park. To this day, few know about it.
The plan includes a new two-lane road through the park, with three roundabouts. This road would have parking spaces and sidewalks on both sides.
Over 155 new parking spaces would be constructed along the road. About 114 of these would be built in the middle of the park on what is now green space.
The purpose is to accommodate anticipated crowds at new, large-scale commercial activities within the park -- an assault on nature for the sake of profit.
In late 2024, a Broad Ripple commercial development promoter requested a meeting with Indy Parks leadership and inquired about the availability of City funding for the planned new road. He was told there was no money available for the road and private funds would need to be used if the road was desired.
No road through Broad Ripple Park green space! See entire illustration at the bottom of Master Plan.
If the Road Were Funded
If the Road Were Funded
Beloved Broad Ripple Park would be severely damaged if the road were funded. Cutting down trees to pave green space defeats the purpose of a park.
The bisecting road and large-scale events would disturb plant and wildlife habitats and lead to air pollution, noise, traffic congestion, and safety risks. Neighbors' residential quality of life would be diminished, among other concerns.
See our Concerns and Rationales.
Good News! City Officials Rebuff Master Plan's New-Terrain Road
Good News! City Officials Rebuff Master Plan's New-Terrain Road
In late April 2026, emails were received from two City-County Councilors (John Barth and Dan Boots) and two Indy Parks officials (Director Brittany Crone and Chief Communications Officer Alex Cortwright). These emails indicate that, in effect, the planned new road through the park has little likelihood of being built. They cited lack of available public funding and increased cost due to substantial changes in stormwater management requirements. They also stated the road proposal was only an "option" rather than a plan recommendation.
Councilor John Barth, representing District 7, wrote that "the 'festival street' won't ever happen--there is no support for it and no funding for it." Indy Parks' Chief Communications Officer Alex Cortwright wrote that the current priorities for the park are a new playground, along with improvements to the restroom and the auxiliary building near the playground, renovation and improvement of the pool and bathhouse, and improvements to the tennis and pickleball courts.
However, Concerns Remain
However, Concerns Remain
The City officials did not go so far as to say the road would be officially removed from the master plan or that it could not be reconsidered in the future. To do so, via an amendment of the master plan, would require a considerable public expense which they do not believe is necessary.
We will be pursuing next steps to ensure that the destructive new-road plan is definitively and officially rescinded and that it will not be re-proposed in the future as City administrations and staffs come and go.
Who We Are
Who We Are
Defenders of Broad Ripple Park are neighbors and park users who oppose the 2018 plan. We appreciate the need to refresh the park, but not to the extent planned. We seek an exploration of better options and a redone plan that excludes the bisecting road, its many parking spaces, and other questionable recommendations in the plan.
If you agree, Take Action! See our Values and Vision. Learn about the Principles that guide us.
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