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ROW convenes community partners to enhance the quality of life through innovation, analysis, cultural advancement and investment along Indy waterways and in neighborhoods.

ROW Adds New Groups, Perspectives to Leadership

When ROW sought to fill two vacant seats on its Steering Committee earlier this year, the Nominations Committee members wanted to consider that those slots didn't have to be filled by groups that would traditionally define "community development" and "community arts". In doing so, new and different groups could be considered for ROW's leadership board -- groups who would bring fresh perspective and ideas to the collective table.

In July, ROW elected two new organizations onto its Steering Committee: GangGang (Community Arts Organization) and Kheprw Institute (Community Development Organization).

A special thank you to those who served on the ROW Nominations Committee, including Mo McReynolds, Emily Scott, and Rob Evans for bringing the nominations forward.

GangGang
Born during the summer of 2020 amid the Black Lives Matter protests, GangGang works to preserve the culture of cities and create equitable work through culture and creativity. To fulfill this mission, GangGang puts emphasis on the arts and building a creative economy with an emphasis on racial equity. That means connecting Indianapolis creatives, collaborating with and promoting artists, while producing artistic experiences for the city, and making sure that artists, especially Black and Brown artists, get paid. GangGang has since gone on to produce art shows, bring live music to Indianapolis, and even work on the 'Black Lives Matter' mural painted on Indiana Avenue. GangGang will be represented by Benjamin Leslie.

Leslie shares his thoughts on GangGang joining the Steering Committee, "ROW has done tremendous work championing and supporting people's connection to their neighborhoods and using art to enhance their environments. We look forward to building on those efforts where equity and creativity meet."

Kheprw Institute

Kheprw Insititute (KI) has worked within Indianapolis for nearly two decades working to achieve "community empowerment through self-mastery" in the African American community. KI utilizes an intergenerational approach to develop leaders focused on community wealth building. Since 2004, KI has worked to empower young social entrepreneurs to create opportunities that meet local needs and address social issues. ROW and KI have collaborated for three years on providing workshops through the organization's Express Yourself Rain Barrels program. On the ROW Steering Committee, KI is being represented by Paulette Fair, KI co-founder, and program director, and by intern, Riley Frye.

"We are impressed by the level of community engagement that comes out of ROW's waterway committees, and seeing committee members work hard to connect everyone, not just those with cars, in the city through Indianapolis' greenways," Fair said at the ROW July Steering Committee.

Photo above from KI's website.

Partner Spotlight:
The City League

This month ROW recognizes The City League for their work connecting neighbors and empowering our waterway communities through basketball. An idea born out of the Crosstown Neighborhood Association, The City League hosted its first, free, open gym in 2013 and has gone on to host tournaments every year since, including an inaugural women's tournament this summer, while also connecting crowds to community resources.

The City League tipped off its 12-team championship tournament on July 1 at its new tournament home in the Boner Fitness & Learning Center at the Chase Legacy Building. With seven weeks of games, the highly competitive ball play isn't the only thing keeping the crowds coming. The City League Director, a Crosstown Neighbor, and member of the Fall Creek Committee, Austin Taylor has worked to make the tournament a celebration of both competitive basketball and the local businesses and organizations that positively impact Indianapolis communities. In addition to groups like the Indy Black Chamber of Commerce and the Kan-Kan Cinema, The City League has teamed up with the Marion County Soil and Water Conservation District (MCSWCD) and ROW's Pogue's Run Committee to engage and educate neighbors about the nearby waterway.

On July 29 ROW and MCSWCD will join The City League at the Chase Legacy Center for a Rain Barrel Build Workshop, the second in a series of waterway workshops made possible through the Indiana State Department of Agriculture's Clean Water Indiana grant program. Tournament players and Indy residents living along Pogue's Run will learn about water conservation and sustainable stormwater management with green infrastructure. Workshop participants will learn about, build, and take home rain barrels, provided by the Kheprw Institute.

Thank you, The City League, for working to celebrate local talents while also fostering community connections throughout our city!

Photos Above: Left, Naiem Johnson scores a dunk. Right, Dwight Cliff throws a perfect jump shot. Photos provided by The City League and shot by Cassie Reverman.

Volunteer Spotlight:
Taylor Firestine

This month, ROW highlights Taylor Firestine for his service to the Healthy Connections Committee, serving as the newly-elected Co-Chair and liaison to the White River Committee. As the Walk & Bike Coordinator for Health by Design, Firestine serves Indianapolis communities as a civil servant and volunteer, combining his knowledge of urban planning and public health with his passion for outdoor recreation.

Joining ROW in 2019, Firestine may be new to his co-chair role but he is no stranger to serving the community. An Indy resident since 2015, Firestine has been an active volunteer throughout the city. In addition to serving on the Healthy Connections Committee, Firestine also dedicates his time as a Keep Indianapolis Beautiful Tree Tender and Adopt-A-Block Captain, has worked with the Irvington Development Organization's Public Spaces Committee, and is on the Indianapolis Cultural Trail Young Professional Board Transportation and Recreation Committee. "I volunteer for ROW because I'm passionate about promoting the health, vitality, and recreational opportunities that only our waterways provide," said Firestine.

This month, Firestine joins the Healthy Connections committee at the Community Pandemic Wellness Initiative (CPWI) Health and Wellness Fair on July 31 at the New Vision Missionary Baptist Church in partnership with Southeast Neighborhood Development (SEND). There, the committee will promote ROW's Exploration and Celebration Guides and the #IndyWaterwaysChallenge, along with other health and wellness resources, to Twin Aire neighbors. Encouraging neighbors to explore their waterways is an important part of Firestine's mission. He says, "For generations, we turned our backs on the waterways and took for granted all they provide us. I'm grateful to play a small part in our newfound appreciation and rediscovery of Indy's greatest natural assets."

Thank you, Taylor Firestine, for your service and dedication to our waterway communities!

Photo Above: Taylor Firestine paddles along Eagle Creek Reservoir in a kayak. Photo provided by Taylor Firestine.

Event Spotlight: Rain Garden PopUp Classes

Come celebrate Community Day at Georgetown Natural Foods Market this Saturday, July 24 from 11 AM to 4 PM.

In addition to the food, music, and fun planned, the Little Eagle Creek Waterway Committee will lead two, free, 30-minute Rain Garden PopUp Classes at 11:30 AM and 3:30 PM.

Participants will learn about water conservation and sustainable stormwater management with a walkthrough of Georgetown Market's rain garden. The first 30 registrants will receive a free native plant, provided by Marion County Soil and Water District, purchased from Indy Urban Acres.

Events Calendar

*Most meetings are being held in person with virtual streaming available.*

July 28: White River Meeting
August 10: Central Canal and Pogue's Run Meeting
August 11: Little Eagle Creek Meeting
August 19: Fall Creek Meeting
August 25: White River Meeting
August 30: Pleasant Run Meeting

One great way to get involved with ROW is to participate in a Waterway or Element Committee! Find details on the ROW events page or contact andrea@ourwaterways.org for meeting locations and to get connected.

A Little Love Stops Litter

The City of Indianapolis's Office of Sustainability and Keep Indianapolis Beautiful (KIB) launched the anti-littering campaign, A Little Love Stops Litter, on July 6.

Collaborating with behavior science researchers at Behavior Insights Team (BIT) to study littering in Indianapolis, the goals of the campaign include stopping litter by making responsible disposal the habitual choice for everyone.

Here are 8 steps Indianapolis residents can take RIGHT NOW to make a big positive impact on our neighborhoods and waterways:
1. Bag loose trash
2. Pick up one piece of trash
3. Use heavy trash pickup
4. Properly dispose of cigarette butts
5. Utilize ToxiDrop locations
6. Re-use whenever possible
7. Keep a bag in your car to collect loose trash
8. Carry trash with you until you locate a trash can

Art Canoes Bring Awareness to White River

The White River Alliance in partnership with the White River Vision Plan is displaying 10 art canoes along the White River to raise awareness for reinvestment and reinvigoration of Indianapolis' waterways. The colorful canoes were each painted by a different, local artist and are meant to draw attention to key anchors along the White River Vision Plan. The canoes will be on display from mid-July through October.

Look out for canoes at Strawtown Koteewi Park, Potter's Bridge Park, River Road Park, Conner Prairie, Hazel Landing Park, Broad Ripple Park, Riverside Adventure Park, White River State Park, Belmont Beach, and Southwestway Park.

To learn more about the White River Art Canoes initiative, the artists and designs, the White River Alliance's upcoming activities, and the White River Vision Plan, visit WhiteRiverArtCanoes.org.

Photo: A colorful canoe, painted by Indianapolis artist Mechi Shakur, sits outside of White River State Park. Photo from White River State Park's Facebook page.

Take Action to Improve Our Waterways

Waterways for All Resources

All Things Water: What a Homeowner Should Know

Residential Invasive Species Removal Guide

Clear Choices Clean Water Pledges

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Reconnecting to Our Waterways · 201 S. Capitol Ave · Suite 800 · Indianapolis, In 46225 · USA