The Parks and Recreation Committee on Nov. 6 approved Proposal 3-38, a year-end package that transfers $1,178,000 and appropriates $3,622,000 in the 2025 parks budget to complete existing grant projects and cover utilities, supplies and contractual expenses.

Britney Crone, director of Indy Parks, told the committee the $3,622,000 is interest earned on a Lilly Endowment grant and "will only go towards completing existing Lilly grant projects." She said the $1,178,000 transfer frees up funds for utilities and contractual expenses, allows movement between federal grant characters to hire qualified staff for specialty camps, and covers an ISA reimbursement.

Deputy Director Don Colvin described a change in scope for the comfort station at the Geist Soccer Complex. Colvin said the project moved the restroom farther back on the site and increased its size to meet community requests, adding a mixed-use room and concession area. He described the layout: "I believe we have 6 stalls, on 1 side. And then on the other side is 4 urinals and 2 stalls or 3 stalls." Colvin also said the facility will include security cameras that upload to the cloud, security lighting, and that most restrooms will be seasonal while "we are keeping 1 open year round" as a conditioned restroom for trail users.

Colvin said the project was presented to the Pike Township Residents Association, which requested a 30-day contingency that delayed the project; the association later tentatively supported the design and the project is slated to go into construction in 2026. Colvin also said the soccer complex land "was always part of Eagle Creek Park" and referenced historic donations tied to program development.

A motion to pass Proposal 3-38 was made and seconded; the committee approved the measure by voice vote. The transcript does not include a roll-call tally for individual councilors.

The appropriation and transfers are limited by Crone’s statement that part of the money is interest tied to Lilly Endowment projects and that the transfers are intended to fund existing projects and staffing needs rather than new programs.