Current News from ROW

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

Throughout the summer, ROW's Healthy Connections Committee is encouraging you to get outdoors exploring the six Indy waterways. Those who visit all six and post to social media with the hashtag #IndyWaterwaysChallenge will earn a colorful "Exploration & Celebration Along Our Waterways" t-shirt.

Getting active outside is not only good for your physical health, but it also can improve your mental health and well-being, especially during this time of pandemic and distancing. Whether you choose to walk, bike, drive or bus to and along the greenways and waterways, there are dozens of waterway-adjacent areas to check out and enjoy.

This #IndyWaterwaysChallenge is for everyone, and we encourage those of all ages and abilities to be a part. Most of our Indy greenways like the White River, Pleasant Run and Fall Creek trails are accessible for the disabled in locations from designated parking areas. And, many area also accessible by IndyGo.

Follow these THREE EASY STEPS:
1) Take a photo along any of ROW's six waterways;
2) Post the photo on social media with #IndyWaterwaysChallenge; and
3) Complete the form at www.ourwaterways.org/explore to receive your t-shirt.

The goal of the #IndyWaterwaysChallenge completion is to just get out along Indy's waterways from May 1 to October 31 to discover some new places to experience, appreciate and celebrate. Plan your route today using ROW's Exploration Guide to locate new artwork, destinations, overlooks, historical markers and much, much more! Just don't forget to tag and post #IndyWaterwaysChallenge and be on your way to winning a t-shirt and enjoying the beauty and wonder of our waterways!

Thanks to ROW's Healthy Connections Element Committee for organizing this summer-long challenge, including: Jump In for Healthy Kids, Central Indiana Community Foundation, Community Health Network Foundation, Near Eastside Area Renewal, Crooked Creek Indy, Central Indiana Land Trust, Health by Design and Indy Parks.

For Earth Day 2021, Indiana University's Environmental Resilience Instituted (ERI) named 13 Hoosier Resilience Heros for their contributions to their communities and the environment. They named professionals, students, and volunteers dedicated to growing sustainable food, promoting environmental justice, preparing Indiana for the impacts of climate change, and more.

We are so proud that our own Phyllis Boyd, was recognized for this honor. Phyllis is executive director of Groundwork Indy, where she creates programming to help youth and adults connect with the natural world and advocate for inclusive green spaces. Phyllis currently serves as the Co-Chair on ROW's Central Canal Waterway, and on ROW's Steering Committee.

We also congratulate Paula Brooks, a speaker, organizer and activist, who has devoted herself to educating residents, elected leaders, civic servants, and others on environmental justice issues. Paula, through her work with Hoosier Environmental Council, has support People for Pleasant Run, some of our Pogue's Run waterways residents on issues where environmental justice were of concern.

Pogue's Run non-profit operator, Gregg Keesling was also recognized. Keesling is co-founder and president of RecycleForce, whose company diverts millions of pounds of recyclable materials from landfills and helps ex-offenders transition to employment.

Congratulations to these and all recognized heros!

Congrats to the Indianapolis Office of Sustainability for its progress towards sustainability and climate resilience. ROW and many of our community partners contributed to the development of the Thrive Indy plan, approved in 2019.

Some notable progress to improve our waterways includes:

There were also many strides made towards goals around energy conservation, trees planted, park amenities, expansion of bike lanes, addition of electric vehicles and materials recycled!

Also, ROW welcomes the newly appointed Director of the Office of Sustainability (OoS), Morgan Mickelson, who stopped by our April Steering Committee meeting to meet ROW's leadership. We are pleased to continue to have Mo McReynolds from the OoS serve on ROW's Steering Committee, making contributions to our Racial Equity Subcommittee and out Nominations Committee.

Let's keep going, Indy! One step at a time and everyone has an important role to play in our resilient future.

Lean about other upcoming cleanups, restorations, tree plantings and more here.

May 24: Pleasant Run Meeting
April 28 & May 26 : White River Meeting
April 11 : Central Canal Meeting and Pogue's Run Meeting
April 12: Little Eagle Creek 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.

Learning How to be Anti-Racist

ROW has been working for nearly a year to help our collective be more aware of racial bias in an effort to become anti-racist. We wanted to share several great training resources available for your possible consideration, including:

Interrupting Racism for Children provided by Child Advocates
Undoing Racism provided by the People's Institute of Survival and Beyond
Racial Equity Institute provided to Indianapolis Public School employees
Crossroads Anti-Racism Organizing & Training

Thanks to ROW's Racial Equity Subcommittee and the Central Indiana Community Foundation for helping us advance this important work in Indianapolis.

ROW's In the Know with ROW series has become a great way for us to share information with our waterway community members. And, last year, when we could no longer meet in person, we were pleased so many continued to participate in our virtual series. Now, we want to make the recorded presentations and shared resources available to even more people through a new website landing page.

Over the past month, we have hosted interesting and fun events attracting nearly 200 people, in a wide array of topics. At the new landing page, find the recording and information on the following:

We love the interactive nature of bringing together our collective in real time, and, there's not better way to ask your questions directly of our collective partners. But, we also know that not everyone can make the events. So, here's a way for more people to benefit and watch the series in their own time. Each is 1 1/2 hours or less and you're sure to learn something new and interesting that will help you improve your community and waterways!

In the Know with ROW is made possible through funding from the Nina Mason Pulliam Charitable Trust. The series brings together many ROW partners, including Keep Indianapolis Beautiful, Friends of White River, White River Alliance, City of Indianapolis (DMD, BNS, IMPD, Indy Parks, Land Stewardship), Indiana Wildlife Federation, Indiana Forest Alliance, Indiana Sciences and others.

Take the #IndyWaterwaysChallenge

New In the Know with ROW
Webpage Now Available

Take Action to Improve Our Waterways

Take the #IndyWaterwaysChallenge

New In the Know with ROW Webpage Now Available

Take Action to Improve Our Waterways

New In the Know with ROW
Webpage Now Available