INDIANAPOLIS — Windsor Park Neighborhood Association (WPNA) is the new owner of the historic Fletcher Park as part of a collaborative agreement between The National Bank of Indianapolis and the East 10th Street Civic Association. The National Bank of Indianapolis graciously agreed to donate the park parcel to the East 10th Street Civic Association in early 2013. The East 10th Street Civic Association, through an agreement with the WPNA, transferred ownership on April 26.
During the negotiations to assume ownership, WPNA successfully applied for an IPL Project Greenspace grant through Keep Indianapolis Beautiful (KIB). Becoming new owners of Fletcher Park and receiving the Project Greenspace grant means the Windsor Park Neighborhood Association will begin work immediately to restore Fletcher Park to a useable, active community space utilizing both new and historic design themes throughout. Eventually, these plans, developed and supported in part by KIB, include the reinstallation of a central fountain, paying homage to what once stood more than 100 years ago.
Fletcher Park was first established by the Fletcher Family in the 1870s and joined Spades and Brookside Parks as part of a chain of public parks along Pogue’s Run when George Kessler originally proposed his sweeping “Park and Boulevard System” in the early 1900s. True to Kessler’s vision, Fletcher Park, (bound by Arsenal Avenue, Brookside Avenue and 12th Street), became part of the Indianapolis Parks system. However, in the 1970s the Indianapolis Parks Department transferred ownership of Fletcher Park to the Switzer Company (which occupied what is now the Circle City Industrial Complex). After the Switzer Company closed, the park fell into disrepair.
The reclaimed Fletcher Park, which will be developed in phases, includes collaboration with more than five partners, and will represent a total investment of more than $30,000. Throughout summer and fall of 2013, Windsor Park will work with KIB on design and installation of new elements in the park. Plans call for a number of historic features including decorative guide rails, planting beds of native perennials, and incorporation of artistic features which will showcase the diversity and heritage of the Windsor Park neighborhood. These efforts are all made possible by dozens of volunteers and through the goodwill of area businesses and organizations. The first phase of improvements is expected to be complete by end of 2013, while future phases will be implemented in 2014 and 2015.
The Windsor Park Neighborhood Association is now organizing work days for implementing the design elements of the park. Additionally, the neighborhood association also looks forward to several special community events and fundraisers which will be announced in the coming months through the neighborhood Facebook Page and Web site www.windsorparkindy.com.
