Here's how Indianapolis parks to use $45 million in upgrades

Four Indianapolis parks will receive $45 million in upgrades through an increase in property taxes being considered by the City-County Council.

City officials say the difference in actual tax bills will be negligible because another tax is coming off the books at the same time. 

The upgrades likely won't occur for a while. Bonds for the projects won't be available until 2022 after the city-county council approves the tax increase this month. 

Indy Parks and Recreation Director Linda Broadfoot said she hopes the funding will encourage local philanthropists to also contribute to any of the city's 212 parks. 

"Forty-plus million dollars sounds like a lot of money and it is an unbelievable blessing," Broadfoot said. "But whenever I'm in a public forum I try to continue to stress that we can't do it alone."

Here's the changes that are anticipated for Grassy Creek, Krannert, Riverside Regional and Frederick Douglass parks. 

Frederick Douglass

Frederick Douglass Park in the Brightwood Martindale neighborhood will celebrate its 100th anniversary this July with welcome news — a new $20 million family center.

The building will replace the original center that sits off 25th Street and was built in the 1940s.

The parks department has been working with an African American-led architecture firm to construct the design, Broadfoot said. She noted the strong community surrounding the park that has been involved in it for decades. 

"There's been a lot of folks dreaming for a very, very long time to have a new family center put in at Douglass Park," she said. 

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Grassy Creek

Grassy Creek Park on the far eastside will receive $7 million for various improvements, including more picnic areas to accommodate its popularity during warmer months.

The department may also convert four tennis courts — which the department says are not currently heavily used — into a court for "futsal," a kind of soccer played on a hard court. A skate park, too, is also a possibility.

The parks department may also convert an old, donated railroad bed into greenway space, offering a walkway that stretches east for about one mile. That will add to the existing half-mile trail within the park. 

"I think ultimately the vision for Grassy Creek has always been that it be a large regional park on par with an Eagle Creek or a Southeast Way for the northeast side of town," Broadfoot said. 

Krannert Park

Krannert Park on the westside will also receive $7 million for improvements to the indoor and outdoor pools, which have had structural and mechanical issues. 

The money will also make some improvements to the family center, including energy efficiency upgrades and window replacements. 

Riverside Park

Another $11 million will help Riverside Park accomplish its ambitious $120 million master plan. 

The plan, which envisions transforming Riverside Park over the next two decades, includes converting a former golf course into a recreational area. The park plan also features an amphitheater, a promenade and more. 

The parks department is currently doing design plans and getting a cost estimate for the installation of a promenade along Riverside Drive, which falls along the east side of the park. Staff are also working on a site plan for the Riverside Adventure Park at Riverside Regional Park, built on the former Riverside Golf Course. 

Call IndyStar reporter Amelia Pak-Harvey at 317-444-6175 or email her at apakharvey@indystar.com. Follow her on Twitter @AmeliaPakHarvey.