Grand Opening of Monon Plaza at Indiana Deaf School

CITY OF INDIANAPOLIS, INDIANA SCHOOL FOR THE DEAF TO CELEBRATE
GRAND OPENING OF THE INDIANA DEAF SCHOOL MONON PLAZA

New Sculpture, Access Point on Trail Will Provide a Gateway to Deaf Culture for Greenway Users

INDIANAPOLIS – (Sept. 23, 2009) Indianapolis Mayor Greg Ballard and Indiana School for the Deaf Superintendent David Geeslin on Friday will join the school’s students, neighborhood residents, community leaders and greenway users in celebrating the grand opening of the Indiana Deaf School Monon Plaza.

The plaza, located on the west edge of the school’s property along the Monon Trail north of 42nd Street, features a sculpture created with a “Gateway to Deaf Culture” design. Indiana School for the Deaf students hand-made unique, individual ceramic tiles that encircle the archway of the sculpture. The tiles incorporate four themes chosen by the students that highlight American Sign Language and Deaf Culture. Other features of the plaza include a pathway, benches, drinking fountain and new trees, shrubs and perennials.

Project and community partners for the Indiana Deaf School Monon Plaza include CSO Architects, Indy Parks & Recreation, Keep Indianapolis Beautiful, Shiel Sexton, and VSA Arts of Indiana.

WHO: Indianapolis Mayor Greg Ballard, Indiana School for the Deaf Superintendent David Geeslin, City-County Councilor Jackie Nytes, VSA Arts of Indiana CEO Jim Nulty, Indiana School for the Deaf Middle School and High School Art Teacher Scotty Zwicker, VSA Arts of Indiana Master Artist Barbara Zech, Indy Parks Principal Park Planner Andre Denman, Keep Indianapolis Beautiful President David Forsell, Indiana School for the Deaf students

WHAT: Grand Opening of the Indiana Deaf School Monon Plaza
WHEN: 10:15 a.m. Friday, Sept. 25, 2009
WHERE: Indiana School for the Deaf
1200 E. 42nd St.
(The Plaza is about 100 yards north of 42nd Street on the Monon Trail.)

About Indy Parks & Recreation
The mission of Indy Parks & Recreation is to create fun, safe, engaging and sustainable parks that enhance the quality of life for individuals, neighborhoods and communities. Indy Parks will be a national model of excellence and destination for facilities and programs, protecting parks, greenways and open spaces and championing environmental initiatives. For more information, visit www.indyparks.org.

About The Indiana School for the Deaf
The Indiana School for the Deaf is a fully accredited school for deaf and hard-of-hearing students in nursery school through high school. It provides services to about 370 students enrolled on campus and more than 200 students through outreach services. About 60 percent of the students live on campus during the academic year. ISD offers a full range of social activities including sports, clubs and organizations.