Upgrades Coming To Tarkington Park

INDIANAPOLIS -- Work officially started on the new Tarkington Park Wednesday with a groundbreaking ceremony.  The project is seen as a cornerstone for an up-and-coming neighborhood.

The $5 million park renovation is the result of years of collaborative planning and discussion about ways to make the Midtown neighborhood more vibrant. Leigh Riley Evans, CEO of Mapleton-Fall Creek Development Corporation, says the improvements make the 10-acre park space more of a destination.

"We’re talking about a splash pad, we’re talking about restoring public restrooms, a private café, new basketball courts, incorporating food into the conversation and highlighting a space for a farmer’s market." said Riley Evans.

Most of the money for the park is coming from $3 million in DPW Rebuild Indy funds, along with help from The Indianapolis Parks Foundation and Midtown Tax Increment Financing.

John Barth, City County Councilor At Large, says the park is a cornerstone at 38th and Illinois, an intersection that’s targeted for a major influx of public and private money through an initiative known as “Great Places 2020.”

"Potential growth in retail, potential growth in amenities with the park, potential growth in the arts and attracting and retaining residents… it’s really going to radiate all over the north side of Indianapolis." said Barth

Some neighborhood businesses have already gotten about $500 thousand dollars for new facades. Organizers of Wednesday’s groundbreaking also touted the area’s close proximity to Indy Go’s planned rapid transit Red Line.

The addition should be completed by spring of 2016.