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Friends of Roby Park describe volunteer projects and outline $1 million reinvestment improvements
Summary
Representatives of the Friends of Roby Park presented their group's volunteer work, park amenities and plans for improvements funded by a $1 million council allocation to the park; the board and staff praised the group's stewardship.
Members of the Friends of Roby Park presented to the Board of Parks and Recreation on Sept. 23, summarizing volunteer projects at Roby Park and outlining planned improvements funded by a council allocation.
Mike Beam, president of Friends of Roby Park, described the volunteers’ work over several years: trail maintenance, stream-crossing bridges, trailhead signs, benches, picnic tables, nest boxes, geocaches, cleanup events and guided nature hikes for nearby Roby Elementary School students. Brandon Warner, who oversees Roby Park for Indy Parks, introduced the friends group and detailed staff’s ongoing partnership with the volunteers.
Mr. Beam called Roby Park “a hidden gem” in Wayne Township and said the park — which through a school partnership is effectively about 48 acres — has a mix of nature trails and neighborhood recreation amenities. He said the park’s last major investment was about 25 years ago.
Councilor Krista Carlino designated $1,000,000 for reinvestment in Roby Park, Mr. Beam and staff said. Planned improvements include repaving and slightly reducing the parking area, restoration and reconnection of the nature-path system, replacement of the basketball court, conversion of tennis courts to retain one tennis court while adding pickleball courts and a futsal court, and a new restroom and shelter building with picnic tables and grills. Friends group members said these investments will support longer visits, reduce path maintenance burden and enable new events and fundraising opportunities.
Board members commended the volunteers and staff for their partnership. Deputy Director Don Colvin and staff participated in community meetings, Mr. Beam said, and Friends of Roby Park indicated they intend to continue volunteer maintenance and to explore additional nature-focused features such as observation decks and native-plant areas.
The board received the presentation and approved the Roby Park amendment for electrical work (Amendment No. 1 to Wei Engineers) in a separate agenda item.
