INDIANAPOLIS – Mayor Joe Hogsett recently announced that Broad Ripple is the city’s Neighborhood of the Month for June 2019. The Neighborhood of the Month program highlights Indianapolis neighborhood initiatives, works to engage community groups, and promotes projects by City departments.
Located between the White River, Keystone Avenue, Kessler Boulevard, and Meridian Street on the city’s north side, Broad Ripple was founded by James Coil in 1837. Coil named the town after the ripples created in the White River; over the years, Broad Ripple would experience economic success through recreation on the river and residents from the surrounding area would visit Broad Ripple to enjoy the features of the town.
Numerous historic landmarks, that still stand today, began to take shape to help the town grow and attract even more visitors, such as the Vogue Theater and Broad Ripple Park. The town of Broad Ripple was annexed into Indianapolis in 1922 after Broad Ripple residents expressed interested in the annexation. Today, Broad Ripple is known for the ducks on the canal, the Monon Trail, unique shops, dining and nightlife.
Broad Ripple will host its 6th annual Broad Ripple Duck Race on June 23. Since 2012, the family-friendly event involves thousands of rubber ducks getting poured into the canal from the Monon Trail over Central Canal and a race to the finish line located at the pedestrian bridge near College Avenue. The winner will receive a prize valued over $500. All the proceeds from the event go to the Broad Ripple Village Association, a nonprofit organization that works towards enriching the community and attracting investment, amplifying public spaces and improving quality of life in Broad Ripple.
Residents and visitors are encouraged to use the hashtag #IndyNoM when posting on social media about Broad Ripple. To nominate your neighborhood for Neighborhood of the Month, visit: https://www.indy.gov/activity/neighborhood-of-the-Month.