Indy Parks Director Britney Crone provided the committee with operational updates at the close of the Nov. 6 meeting, describing food-access work, recent park openings and ongoing renovation projects.

Crone said Indy Parks has been working with the Office of Public Health and Safety, the administration and private-sector partners to ensure residents can find food assistance during the federal shutdown. She told the committee that the Drive and Dish program, run in partnership with Pacers Sports & Entertainment, "hit capacity at all 6 locations" the previous day. Crone also said parks host food pantries at Riverside and Windsor Village Parks, run mobile after-school meals at several park locations, and have food drives at Brookside and Krannert Parks. She said Indy Parks recently expanded a partnership with Second Helpings to provide free prepared meals at seven locations and thanked staff leads Tanya Jenkins, Amy Ratcliffe and Marissa Coley for their work.

On capital projects, Crone said the department held a ribbon cutting for the Franklin Township Community Park renovation (playground, trails, pickleball and basketball courts and other site improvements) and broke ground on Somme Park improvements that include a new playground, pickleball courts, a shelter and restroom upgrades with anticipated completion around mid-2026. She also reported the opening of a new playground at Holiday Park, noting the Holiday Park Foundation raised $3,000,000 to match a Lilly Endowment grant; those funds will support both the new playground and its ongoing maintenance.

Councilor Jesse Brown thanked Crone for quick Brookside Park updates; the committee then adjourned.