By Riya Chinni
The Carmel Clay Parks and Recreation Dept. held a joint meeting with the Carmel City Council Sept. 9 to present CCPR’s new five-year master plan.
CCPR received survey responses from 576 households in Carmel to help the department better understand what residents would like to see in local parks and programs.
The survey showed that 98 percent of respondents are happy with current conditions but many responders expressed a need for an expansion of the linear trail corridor system and more nature preserves.
According to CCPR Director Michael Klitzing, the new master plan aims to add trails and increase access along the White River corridor. CCPR also expects to expand environmental education opportunities in the area, as survey respondents mentioned wanting more nature education as a core part of the system.
Klitzing also said the plan identifies the need for an additional park in northwest Carmel and said CCPR is seeking to purchase land there for that purpose.
The master plan also aims to reimagine and revitalize Carey Grove, Cherry Tree, Flowing Well, Hazel Landing, Meadowlark and River Heritage parks.
It proposed an enhanced partnership with Conner Prairie, which owns 3.5 miles of property along the White River in Carmel.
“Most of Conner Prairie is untapped potential,” Klitzing said.
The City Council seemed to be in accordance with the proposed master plan, and found that the new initiatives would probably be well received by the Carmel community.
