Keep Indianapolis Beautiful selects three Indy neighborhoods for investment and revitalization through AES Indiana Project Greenspace

By: KIB

Keep Indianapolis Beautiful, Inc. (KIB) announced today three new community greenspace projects for 2023, awarded as part of the organization’s AES Indiana Project GreenSpace program. This competitive process reviews applications from community groups looking to transform vacant lots into thriving neighborhood gathering places. There are nearly 60 of these greenspaces across Indianapolis, connecting people to nature, creating a sense of place, and improving community health. 

“These GreenSpaces are transforming neighborhoods and creating a safer, cleaner, greener space for communities to gather,” said Keep Indianapolis Beautiful president and CEO Jeremy Kranowitz.

The three finalists include:

• Crown Hill Neighborhood Association (81 North Dearborn Street): Project will focus on beautification and safety, arts and identity, and access to healthy food. According to Kimberly Estep, community leader, “the most compelling thing about our project is the story. CHNA was able to use its social capital and community resources to address an issue – illegal dumping — that had negative impact on the neighborhood. Now, the land is ready for the residents and community partners to dream and imagine.”
• Cissy’s Concord Crew (5046 West 13th Street): The neighborhood group envisions a beautiful space that will welcome Haughville residents to utilize the B&O Trail and that positively represents the Haughville community to all trail users. This location will go from an abandoned railroad, forgotten by most and exploited by a few, to a welcoming space for pedestrian and bicycle traffic.
• Nur-Allah Islamic Center (830 North Mitthoefer Road): Located on a very busy street that has no city sidewalks, a new walkway will connect the church, mosque, and nearby neighbors, and will serve as a safe route for pedestrians. The space will be a community destination that will incorporate native plants and benches with Arabic calligraphy and universally applicable inspirational quotes. The far east side of Indianapolis is experiencing a “rebirth,” and the greenspace will be a vital contributor to this much-needed and deserved renewal and beautification.

“AES Indiana knows that equitable access to greenspace encourages healthy and active lifestyles and that greenspaces often serve as a community connector,” said AES Indiana senior director for public relations Tanya Searcy. “These community connections serve as a foundation for neighbors to come together to play, to plan, and to engage, all while helping us reach our goal of providing a cleaner and greener future for our customers.”

For more information on KIB’s AES Project GreenSpace, please visit www.kibi.org/greenspace.

About Keep Indianapolis Beautiful, Inc. (KIB)
Keep Indianapolis Beautiful (KIB) is an environmental and community nonprofit with a mission to engage diverse communities to create vibrant public places, helping people and nature thrive. KIB is an award-winning affiliate of Keep America Beautiful, Inc., a national organization dedicated to preserving the natural beauty and environment in American communities. 

KIB works with neighbors, volunteers, and the City of Indianapolis to plant trees and native landscapes, create community spaces, pick up litter, and engage students of all ages in Indianapolis. Each year, KIB supports nearly 900 community projects with over 15,000 volunteers. For over 40 years, we’ve partnered with neighbors, the public sector, and Indianapolis community groups and businesses to achieve our vision of a beautiful city. 

For more information about Keep Indianapolis Beautiful, visit www.kibi.org or follow us on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook at @kibiorg.

Categories: AES Indiana Project Greenspace, News & Features