MIRACLE PLACE SUCCESS STORY
One Neighborhood Helping Another...
Reaching across county lines
When The Village of West Clay approached KIB to help a neighborhood in need, we worked together to build a wonderful little jewel of a pocket park. With and for our partner, Miracle Place, volunteers took a vacant lot and turned into a place for neighbors to gather, socialize, and grow vegetables.
Throughout 2007, members of the Social Committee in The Village of West Clay worked to raise money in an effort to sponsor a “pocket park” in the City of Indianapolis. Pocket parks are critical in neighborhoods without large yards or that are not near an existing large park or green space. They provide places for informal recreation and children's play. Pocket parks allow nature to thrive in small spaces within the city. They are often developed from vacant lots in more densely populated, lower-income areas.
The Social Committee's effort. plus matching funds from Brenwick Development (George Sweet and Tom Huston) resulted in a total of $8,000 which was provided to Keep Indianapolis Beautiful, Inc. (KIBI) in 2008. KIBI receives requests throughout the year for project funding and grants from all over the metropolitan area. The Village of West Clay worked with KIBI to select a project to which they could direct the funds, and have a positive affect on a neighborhood and surrounding community.
The result? We worked with Miracle Place to construct a pocket park directly across the street from their offices. Miracle Place, a ministry of the Sisters of Providence, offers hospitality, care, and concern. It is a place of spiritual refreshment where all who come may find refuge, where all who are severely tried may be comforted, where all who are lonely may find companionship and where those without hope may find a renewed spirit.
Friendship & Peace...Miracle Place offers educational opportunities and cultural experiences for various age groups. By bringing together neighbors for neighborhood activities and celebrations a sense of community is established; trust and good will are strengthened.
In May and June of 2009, Miracle Place, KIB, the neighbors, and volunteers from M&I Bank and The Village of West Clay built this pocket park for the Miracle Place clients and for the neighborhood. It will be a multi-use park like many of the others KIBI has built. There are 6 raised vegetable beds being tended by a volunteer and local kids, a patio with picnic tables, walkways inviting people to leave the sidewalk and walk around the park, which lead to a mural wall towards the back of the park, and we hope for a small playground in the future. This near east side location is a “hot spot” for KIBI and the City, and a park there will be a nice addition to a neighborhood in need.
