Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Parks Events topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Indy Parks board approves fireworks for Friends Night at Garfield Park
Summary
The Board of Parks and Recreation unanimously approved a staff recommendation allowing Friends of Garfield Park to set off fireworks during the Friends Night at the Mac event in Garfield Park, with organizers and staff saying public-safety agencies and a licensed pyrotechnics vendor will be involved.
The Board of Parks and Recreation for the consolidated city of Indianapolis voted to allow Friends of Garfield Park Incorporated to set off fireworks during the Friends Night at the Mac event at Garfield Park on Aug. 31.
The measure was presented by staff and supporters of Friends of Garfield Park and passed unanimously after a brief discussion and questions from board members about stewardship of garden areas and volunteer-funded improvements. Libby Bridal, executive director of Friends of Garfield Park, told the board the event typically draws more than 2,000 people to the McAllister Center and corporate shelter and serves as a donor-appreciation and cultivation event.
"The mission the preservation and evolution of the public benefits of Garfield Park," Bridal said, describing the group's fundraising and program work. Chad DeKine, Garfield Park regional manager for Indy Parks, joined Bridal in answering board questions about logistics.
Bridal told the board the fireworks vendor this year would again be Ramsey Pyrotechnics, a firm the presenters said has provided fireworks for local institutions including Conner Prairie, Victory Field and the Indianapolis Colts. Friends of Garfield Park said some of the cost is being offset by the fountain contractor Smock Fansler, and that event plans have gone through the city's special event committee.
Board members asked for details about long-term stewardship of memorial gardens and the conservatory-adjacent garden that was rededicated; Bridal said the Friends group has funded supplemental gardening help and interns for that space and is exploring memorial-bench replacements with local artists.
Indy Parks staff and presenters emphasized coordination with public-safety agencies. Bridal said she had been in contact with Lieutenant Kittner and that Indianapolis Fire Department (IFD) was planning to be on site and had the event "on their radar." Presenters also said the event's emergency action plan, traffic/closure plans and required special-event paperwork had been routed through the special event committee.
The board approved the staff recommendation in a single motion; the chair called for the vote and the motion carried by voice vote. The approval authorizes the director to issue permission to Friends of Garfield Park to hold the fireworks as described in the staff memo.
