University Parkway Development - Smart Growth?

Pigeon Creek Greenway Passage

Because of vandalism along the trail, a public safety and security program was developed.  Part of this program is the Jr. Park Ranger program.  This program is being developed by Americorps Vista Volunteer Jane Schmadel and Park Ranger Andy Porath.  Cedar Hall Elementary School has been chosen for the trial effort.  The main goal of this project is to develop in children a senseof ownership and respect for the law in all matters concerning the Greenway Passage.  It is hoped this will alleviate some of the vandalism on the trail.

The project will have a kick-off on April 16 and will last for eight weeks.  The programers hope to register 15 children from the Fourth and Fifth grades.  Cedar Hall will provide the transportation and a teacher to accompany the children to the training sessions.  These sessions will take place at the Greenway Field Office, Garvin Park, the trail, and Cedar Hall School.

The training sessions will cover such topics at wildlife education, water monitoring, plant identification, laws, bicycle/trail safety, history and water rescue.  Litter pickup will be a part of this program.

The children will be provided with a trail monitor T-shirt and will conclude the 8-week program with a picnic at Garvin Park.

Westside Youth Soccer Club at Moutoux Park

President John Pease reported the club is looking into all the legal issues pertaining to correcting the drainage issue.  They will check into whether any of their improvements will adversely affect the floodway or require permits.  They have set the following priorities:

 §         Drainage improvements

§         Fill and grading so fields are out of water

§         Improved parking lot

§         Electricity and lights

The club is putting together a polished plan they will present to interested parties when applying for grants.

Note:  One can ask why so much money is being allocated to an east side soccer field when we have 800 west side children playing in mucky, smelly water.

Wabash Ave. of Flags Foundation

The Foundation, a coalition of Wabash Ave. neighbors, Westside Improvement Association, VFW Post 1114, and the Westwood Garden Club announced they have sanded and painted the flag poles and put up new flags last Fall. 

New varieties of cannas will be planted this year.  The VFW bed will receive Fire Bird, a dwarf variety with red blooms and green follage.  Other beds will be planted with King City Gold (yellow blooms) and Red Dazzler (tall red blooms).  They hope to have all beds planted by Mother’s Day on May 11.

GREAT WORK!!!!

PLEASE COME TO THE DAY AFTER ARBOR DAY DEDICATION OF THE CLEM FRANK NATURE PRESERVE

At last!!  Westside Improvement Association, the Four Rivers RC&D, and the West Terrace Neighborhood Association will dedicate the Clem Frank Nature Preserve on Saturday, April 26^th in the Western Terrace Subdivision off of Upper Mt. Vernon Ave.  Festivities will begin at 10:00 A.M.  Refreshments will be served by the neighborhood association.  Shawn Dickerson, the City Arborist will be in attendance.

This preserve is about three acres of fine woodlands that is located along the subdivision and between the Brickyard apartments.  Westside Improvement Association provided $2,500 in survey fees and the Four Rivers RC&D is placing the area in a land trust so it will always be as it is now.   Mr. Frank donated the property.  The neighborhood association has incorporated and has signed a Memorandum of Understanding to maintain the area free of litter and other debris.  Please take an hour and visit a beautiful site.

Greenway Passage Eco Tour

KEEP JUNE 14 AND 15 OPEN FOR A FUN TIME.  The Greenway Passage and 30 other agencies decided it was time to show off our natural assets.  It was time to show that doing things in an environmentally safe way can be profitable.  Go into our marketing service and see some of the groups that are working with us to showcase our region.  The final website is not ready at this time, but you can see a preliminary mockup by going to clients.grayloon.com and adding the letters pcg in the small box.  Hit login and you have it made.

There is going to be a dedication of the new construction on the Greenway Passage.  The Greenway will also conduct other tours along the existing trail explaining the flora and fauna and improvements to the Pigeon Creek watershed.  There will be a Safari celebration (includes a dinner) at the zoo, tours through Burdette Park, fun happenings at the Howell Wetlands, special events at the museum, a riverboat dinner, special events at Angel Mounds and Audubon Park.   The event includes activities at Evansville, Newburgh, New Harmony, and Henderson.    It will be a great time for families with lots of free things to look at.  Fees will be charged for some events.

Shirley James, Chair

© 2008 Westside Improvement Association, Inc.