"Stringtown Rocks" the River: Event Planning and Community Social

1507 West Vermont Street,Indianapolis IN 46222

22 October, 2022

Description

Stop by 'Stringtown Rocks' on Saturday, October 22nd from 9 AM until 3 PM. Join Reconnecting to Our Waterway's White River Committee and Stringtown neighbors in a discussion planning an annual neighborhood event to 'rock the White River'. Come hungry and enjoy breakfast and lunch while we discuss neighborhood generated projects and initiatives, and vision for the future of Stringtown. There will be biscuits n gravy, coffee, OJ to get started and Sloppy Joe hot sandwiches; visioning boards, and community. Coolers with ice can accommodate modest additional carry-in contributions of beverages of your choice. We will 'White Board' and 'Sticky Note' shared thoughts and visions throughout the day to go organize community feedback. Think BIG, think NEIGHBORLY, think FRIENDLY, and think FUN! An event summary and framework will be shared after the October 22nd social with follow-up events as scheduled. Learn about ongoing river initiatives and projects connected to Stringtown and the Near West. Learn about community non-for-profit Near West 21, the Urban Wilderness Trail and connected Haughville Fishing & Nature Trail, Indiana DNR incoming Public Access site, and several other projects that could make the Near West Indy's new White River connection. What has lead up to Stringtown Rocks 2022... Several years ago, Reconnecting to Our Waterways White River Committee (ROW WR) convened and facilitated with many Near West residents through a series of meetings and numerous neighborhood discussions that resulted in some very specific goals to begin to reconnect the neighborhood to our river. The focal point chosen for initial activation efforts was the New York Street Bridge and White River Parkway W. Drive intersection because of the available public spaces and high visibility. The 5 goals are initiatives that all connect to this intersection. These projects include curb appeal enhancements, celebration space for neighbors, New York Street Bridge enhancement, annual 'Bridge Party', and waterway signage trails. Major infrastructure projects are now wrapping up which precluded full activation of these neighborhood initiatives. These same infrastructure projects also by good fortune have enhanced the prospects for the five initiatives and the time passing has brought all 5 goals to the point of becoming a reality fairly quickly in the coming months and year. Of course, people and places in the course of life have continued to change over the last few years making it a good time to catch up and reconnect with long-time residents, neighbors and new residents. One of the five goals/initiatives ROW WR generated was a "bridge party" and we would like to start planning for the inaugural annual Stringtown Rocks (The River) neighborhood celebration on the banks of our river. Many thoughts and ideas have been recorded in the past and during events and activities on and along the river over the last few years as ROW WR has been busy supporting many river related initiatives in our focus zone from "Dam to Dam" (16th St Dam aka Emrichsville Dam thru to the Old Chevy Dam). If you are unable to stop by and visit on the 22nd, please send an email with your interest as we will gladly host a couple more casual small visits before looking to support formalizing a neighborhood effort to celebrate at the river annually. Contact Coach with any additional contributions or related questions: Coach Greg Harger at [email protected]