Small Grants in Indianapolis

Indianapolis Parks Department developed a partnership with local churches in 1995 for better upkeep of small parks. It was not cost-effective for the parks department to maintain these parks, and it was hoped that by giving the responsibility for the parks to a local organization, accountability and pride in the parks might develop in the community. The city now gives $60,000 a year to local churches to maintain parks.

Churches apply for contracts to maintain specific Indianapolis parks and a committee determines whether the church can effectively fulfill the scope of service. This includes care of turf, surfaces, benches and shelters as well as removal of litter. The church staff are trained in park maintenance so that there is a "baseline standard" met for every Indianapolis park.

$500-$5,000 a year is given to the each church in monthly increments. The money is not for new equipment or for paying existing personnel. Churches who already maintain their own property and have the necessary equipment are the best candidates.

The grants program has had lasting effects on the small parks. The money that has been saved on their maintenance has encouraged the city to make capital improvements, such as new equipment or new paving, in almost all of the parks involved so far (23 of the city's 80 local parks). Also, the city has not cut back on the number of park maintenance staff, so the reduced need for these workers in the small parks has meant that the large parks receive more maintenance and upkeep.

See a related Urban Parks Institute Success Story: Local Churches Pitch In to Maintain Indianapolis Parks