Broad Ripple Park has a historical past, exciting future
You see a neighborhood park perfect for play time with your pup, and picnics on enjoyable days out. We see a piece of Hoosier History that is going through a seriously cool update. This peek into Broad Ripple Park – located on Broad Ripple Avenue just east of Broad Ripple Village – has so much to offer. But it’s just at the beginning of its evolution. Read on, reader for this notable look at one of Indy Parks’ cornerstone projects…
Walking among the tree-lined paths of Broad Ripple Park, you might not realize you’re standing on a piece of Indianapolis history, the site of roller coasters, sun bathers, a zoo, and even an Olympic try-out. Today, the 62 acre park features a family center, swimming pool, playground, picnic shelters, multiple athletic courts and fields, fitness trail, boat ramp and popular dog park.
As time passed, the once-famed Indianapolis attraction has sat unchanged for years, but she’s finally get the facelift she so greatly deserves. “It’s an exhausted park,” said Kathy Fitzgerald, Broad Ripple Park Manager. “It’s been used so much. I’m getting excited to see something different.”
The Bug Ride, 1927
from the Paul Harlan Collection
Considered a Signature Park, Broad Ripple Park hosts 300,000 visitors annually, making it a cornerstone of the vibrant surrounding community.
Originally a piece of farmland, it was acquired nearly 150 years ago after locals began picnicking along the banks of the White River. Through the years, Broad Ripple Park has been host to a variety of amusement park attractions {think Coney Island} such as roller coasters, water rides, carousels, shows, and more. As you stroll among the peaceful paths, its hard to imagine the park with so much action and excitement.
1931, Roller Coaster at Broad Ripple Park.
Photo from IndyStar files
After a fire in 1908 destroyed all the amusement attractions, it slowly evolved into a city park, with fewer attractions and more green space. In 1945, the City of Indianapolis officially purchased the park and dismantled and sold the remaining rides, with the exception of the carousel, which was restored and is now joyously featured at the Indianapolis Children’s Museum.
In the years since the acquisition of Broad Ripple Park by Indianapolis, the addition of community programming, shelters, gathering spaces, and the ever-popular Bark Park have updated the space. However, it has remained widely unchanged since the previous master plan of 1981. Finally, with the expert guidance of the Indy Parks team and input from area residents and community members, the latest Broad Ripple Park master plan is underway with the goal of making this an Indianapolis destination.
CHECK OUT ANOTHER INDY PARK WE LOVE: Taking a look at Tarkington Park
What makes this endeavor unique are the great lengths Indy Parks went to in order to hear the requests of park users and the Broad Ripple community while creating the plan.
“This is their park,” said Kathy. “It is very important to the community around here.” Beginning in Spring 2018, a series of public and pop-up meetings were held over the course of nearly two years to assess park usage and gather feedback. “We tried to find people where they were to get their input about what the future of their park should look like,” director of Indy Parks, Linda Broadfoot said to TownePost. Additionally, an online survey gathered feedback from 400 community members, the culmination of which was used to shape the direction of Phase 1 of the Master Plan.
The multi-phase update of the grounds and facilities will take place over several years, with the first phase nearly ready to commence.
Phase 1 is focused on the family center. The previous center, constructed in 1983, is home to more than 250 fitness & gymnastics classes and special programs per year, engaging 60,000 participants, so it’s no surprise the facility is in need of an update. The new $20 million family center is expected to house a gymnasium, meeting rooms, children’s play area, and 15,000 square foot health center operated by Community Health Network. “Having a subordinate health care partner as a tenant in this space will help us support the creation and ongoing programming of this family center,” Linday says. “It will allow us to serve our community and our neighbors in bigger and better ways. I’m excited to see what kind of programmatic elements come out of it.” Concerns were raised by community members that the park was being privatized, but Indy Parks has made it clear that the addition of the partner does not change how the park will be utilized, but it does help to support the expense of park upkeep.
Kathy is particularly excited about the expansion of programming space, dreaming about the wide array of offerings and events that could be hosted in the new facility. “I want to give you the best; I want it to look the best,” she said as she dreamed aloud the ways the new center could be utilized.
Summer Camp at Broad Ripple Park
Upcoming phases of the Master Plan will feature improvements at the riverfront, with the goal of connecting to the Broad Ripple Riverwalk and future improvements to the pool facilities. “We’d like the plan to accommodate a farmer’s market or performance venue with perhaps a possibility of a reception area for weddings and other events that people could rent out,” says Julee Jacobs, senior planner of Indy Parks.
Phase 1 of the Master Plan is scheduled to be completed in mid 2021, but delays may occur due to the Covid 19 pandemic. In the meantime, the staff of Broad Ripple Park are safely planning a variety of virtual and in-person programs and events throughout the fall and winter. Please see the Fall Fun Guide for more information.
