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Director’s Report | August 10, 2021
Active Projects
Below is a list of CCPR’s major projects categorized by status. Details, if relevant and not covered as an
agenda item, follow within this report.
Planning Stage
1) Bear Creek Park Master Plan
2) Central Park/Interurban Trail Connection & Trailhead Enhancements (funded by Kite Realty
Group)
3) Interlocal Cooperation Agreement Amendments/Capital Funding Strategy
4) Monon Community Center Indoor Playground
5) Orchard Park Elementary School Reuse
6) Reimagining Recreation Plan
7) Thomas Marcuccilli Nature Park/Wellhead Overlooks (funded by Carmel Utilities)
8) West Park – The Core Shelters
9) West Park – The Groves Perimeter Trail
10) White River Bridge
11) White River Corridor/Hamilton County South River District (in coordination with Hamilton County
Tourism, Conner Prairie, and Hamilton County Parks & Recreation)
12) White River Greenway North Extension
Procurement or Contracting Stage
13) Guaranteed Savings Contract RFPQ
14) Japanese Garden Expansion
15) River Heritage Park Phase I Improvements
16) Monon Greenway Improvements (Carmel Drive to City Center Drive)
17) Monon Greenway North Refresh (Main Street to 146th Street)
18) Monon Greenway Structure #12
19) Thomas Marcuccilli Nature Park Donation (title work/closing on property)
20) Vera J. Hinshaw Park Donation (closing on property)
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Page 2
Construction Pending
21) Monon Greenway Trailhead Kiosks
Construction in Progress
22) Lawrence W. Inlow Phase II Improvements
23) Meadowlark Park Improvements
24) Monon Greenway City Center Tunnel Mural (with Carmel High School)
25) West Park – The Core Improvements
Substantially Complete with Punch List Items Remaining
26) Bear Creek Park Demolition of Existing Structures
27) Carey Grove Park Improvements
28) Flowing Well Park Improvements
Park Closures at a Glance
The following parks are or soon will be closing. Projected reopening dates are provided.
PARK STATUS PROJECT NOTES PROJECTED REOPENING
Meadowlark Closed Completing earthwork &
site preparations
Winter 2021
West (Core Area Only) Closed Completing earthwork &
site preparations
Spring 2022
Lawrence W. Inlow Closed Demolition of existing
splash pad, restrooms &
shelters
Spring 2022
Monon Greenway @
City Center Tunnel
Temporary Weekday
Closures
Mural installation
ongoing
Aug./Sept. 2021
River Heritage Closing Soon Reviewing bids received
7/27; closure anticipated
in September/October
Spring 2022
Bear Creek Park
The master planning process is now in full force, with the first meeting of the master plan steering
committee scheduled for 8/10/2021. This committee is comprised of representatives from the Park
Board, City Council, Township Board, Parks Foundation, and west-side residents. A similar committee
was assembled for the West Park Master Plan Update and proved beneficial as an advisory panel for the
design team and staff throughout the master planning process.
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Page 3
CCPR is currently working to finalize plans for a public meeting and focus groups on August 31 and
September 1. A wide variety of community stakeholders and potential user groups will be invited to the
focus group sessions, including (but not limited to): Park Board members and elected officials (if not part
of the advisory committee), city leaders, regulatory agencies, HOA representatives, religious
organizations, and other community groups. More details will be forthcoming.
Once stakeholder and focus group meetings are conducted, primitive trails will be open for public use on
weekends to help residents better see firsthand the park. An information kiosk will provide information
on how visitors can share their ideas for future development of the park. The existing entry drive at the
southeast corner of the property will serve as a temporary park entrance with a trailhead located at the
location of an existing barn not far from the entrance.
EcoLogic was commissioned to complete an invasive plant assessment of Bear Creek Park in June and
the final report has been shared with SmithGroup. EcoLogic reported that the park shows considerable
promise for the restoration and stewardship of native habitats. While invasive plants are currently
widespread, they are mostly common species with known and successful control protocols. EcoLogic
completed invasive management efforts the week of 7/12/2021 and focused on areas near the creek
and trails, consistent with recommendations from SmithGroup.
CCPR is in ongoing discussions with the developer of Albany Village, the new subdivision to be
constructed on the east side of Shelborne Road across from Bear Creek Park. The sanitary sewer
easement approved by the Park Board in July is anticipated to be finalized shortly once a donation is
received from the developer. CCPR is also in discussions about securing an easement or donation from
the developer for a public trail within Albany Village that could serve as part of a larger Bear Creek
Greenway.
Capital Funding Strategy
An article in the 8/3/2021 edition of Current in Carmel highlighted the significant investment Clay
Township has made in the park system and the pending capital funding challenges once the Central Park
bond is paid. Continuing to work with legal counsel and the Township’s accountant to investigate the
feasibility and impact of a Special Taxing District Bond issued through the Township. Once completed
and reviewed, a funding proposal will be developed and shared with the Park Board and elected officials
for discussion and consideration.
Central Park/Interurban Trail Connection/Trailhead Enhancement & The Corner Easement Request
A letter was sent to Clay Township Trustee on 7/15/2021 requesting a meeting of the Carmel Clay Parks
Building Corporation to consider the actions taken by the Park Board at its July meeting. Legal counsel is
developing proposed easement agreements for consideration by the Building Corp.
CCPR has requested a proposal from SmithGroup to prepare construction documents for the trail
connection and trailhead enhancements, consistent with what was approved by the Park Board. CCPR is
working with SmithGroup and Kite Realty Group to identify the appropriate scope of services to include
in the proposal. Once the proposal is received, CCPR will be in a position to seek a proposal from a
qualified vendor for inspection services. Per the direction of the Park Board, the cost of design,
inspection, and construction will be the responsibility of Kite Reality Group.
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Extended School Enrichment
Due to the national labor shortage exacerbating the longstanding bus driver shortage, Carmel Clay
Schools was required to make substantial changes to the 2021-22 school year that significantly impacts
the ESE program. CCS implemented a 3-tier bell system for the elementary, middle, and high schools to
accommodate transportation needs. This tiered system allows a single driver to cover more routes, but
resulted in the bell times being adjusted as follows:
Original Bell Times New Bell Times
Elementary Schools 7:50 am – 2:35 pm 7:40 am – 2:25 pm
Middle Schools 8:45 am – 3:45 pm 8:25 am – 3:25 pm
High School 8:45 am – 3:45 pm 9:05 am – 4:05 pm
To promote the use of the carpool line in the morning while easing existing and anticipated congestion,
elementary school students will be allowed to enter buildings at 7:15 am. (Doors originally opened 10
minutes before the bell.) Since the before school program has historically started at 7:15 am, this early
arrival window eliminates the need for before school care on regular school days.
Since this is a variance to the existing ESE contract, CCPR and CCS are finalizing a Memorandum of
Understanding to document the suspension of the before school program on regular school days
resulting from the changes in the bell times. CCPR will continue to provide before school care on
scheduled late-start days, with CCS paying a per student rate for each child attending the program.
Lawrence W. Inlow Park
Construction is moving forward, with demolition of the existing splash pad, restroom building, and
shelters completed. Myers Construction, at their initiative, worked diligently to recycle all possible
components to minimize the volume of waste sent to a landfill.
Lenape Trace Park
Working with Councilor Jeff Worrell and Pat Rice, a resident and former Cub Scout leader who was
instrumental in the naming of the park, to install a dedication plaque. Received confirmation from the
Delaware Tribe of Indians that they consent to the continued use of Lenape in the name of the park. The
Tribe inquired about the significance of “Trace” in the park’s name, which is currently being
investigated. CCPR agreed to provide to the Tribe a proof of the dedication plaque for their review and
approval. Once approved, the plaque will be ordered and installed within the park.
Meadowlark Park
Construction has not progressed as quickly as anticipated due to an unresponsive subcontractor
responsible for excavation work. Alderson has replaced the subcontractor, which started mobilizing on
8/5/2021 and was anticipated to begin working in earnest on 8/6/2021. Despite the hiccup, the project
is still on course to be substantially completed before the end of the year, with playground footers
installed before the end of this month and equipment installation beginning in September.
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Monon Greenway City Center Tunnel Mural
Production delays on the wrap for the tunnel mural pushed the timeline for completing the installation.
Most of the mural is now installed and anticipated to be fully installed the week of 8/9/2021. CHS Art
Department is coordinating times for students to paint portions of artwork not pre-painted. No painting
will occur on Saturdays or Sundays, allowing the tunnel to be open for weekend traffic. A date for
dedication of the mural will be determined once completed.
Orchard Park Elementary School Reuse
CCPR is working with PROS Consulting on a feasibility study to identify new or expanded programs and
services that would help address unmet needs within the community and be able to cover associated
operating costs. PROS is scheduled to provide preliminary recommendations to CCPR on 8/16/2021.
River Heritage Park
Two bids were received, with the apparent low bidder coming in under budget. The bid submittals are
currently being reviewed by Weihe Engineering and it is anticipated that a contract will be awarded this
month to United Construction Services (based out of Muncie) with construction likely beginning in
September or October.
Thomas Marcuccilli Nature Park
The necessary survey for the 63.238 parcel was received from the donor on 8/5/2021 and is being
reviewed by legal counsel. Presuming no issues with the survey, we will work to schedule a closing date
for the property as soon as practical.
MKSK is finalizing designs for scenic overlooks, which will be integrated with new wellheads located
within Thomas Marcuccilli Nature Park (TMNP). Scheduled to review updated plans on 8/18/2021 with
the design team and Carmel Utilities, which is funding the project.
White River Greenway North Extension
Meeting with representatives from the SJCA and Conner Prairie on 8/6/2021 to walk the potential route
for the extended trail from the current terminus across from Tall Timber Trail to 146th Street. Seeking
consensus on the route so the design development plans can be completed. CCPR staff also attended a
webinar on 8/5/2021 to learn more about the Indiana Next Level Trails grant program, which was
identified as a potential funding source for the new trail.
White River Regional Opportunity Initiative
The White River Regional Opportunity Initiative (WR-ROI) Partnership consists of representatives from
three counties: Hamilton, Madison, and Marion; and eight communities: Anderson, Carmel, Fishers,
Indianapolis, McCordsville, Noblesville, Westfield, and Zionsville.
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The Partnership is preparing a Regional Development Plan (RDP) to submit for a Regional Economic
Acceleration + Development Initiative (READI) grant through the Indiana Economic Development
Commission (IEDC). IEDC has $500 million to award regional grants up to $50 million each and recently
extended the application deadline to 9/31/2021. The WR-ROI is inspired by the White River Vision Plan,
which details a cohesive regional vision, goals, projects, and programs related to economic development
within the White River Region.
The Hamilton County South River District/Conner Prairie Westside Expansion was submitted for
consideration by the local organizing group and was evaluated highly, increasing the likelihood it will be
included as one of the signature projects for WR-ROI. The proposal has requested $8.3 million for
development of the White River Ecology and Education Center in partnership with Conner Prairie and
other potential partners. Inclusion as one of the signature projects for the region does not guarantee
funding, but it is a critical first step to be considered. Final funding decisions rest with the IEDC, which
are anticipated to be announced toward the end of the year.