Indianapolis Parks and Recreation Committee Meeting - Dec 18, 2025

The Indianapolis City County Council Parks and Recreation Committee convened on December 18, 2025, to review personnel reappointments, discuss proposed fee adjustments for park operations, and hear updates from the Parks Alliance. The meeting featured deliberations on balancing funding needs with resident affordability, particularly regarding aquatics and shelter rentals, alongside a strategic presentation on private-sector partnerships and the alliance's financial stability.

Consent Calendar

• Reappointment of Larry Bates: The committee unanimously voted to reappoint Larry Bates to the Board of Parks and Recreation. Councillor Evans emphasized the need for appointees to provide regular updates on enterprise issues, while Councillor Delaney expressed gratitude for his past responsiveness to constituents.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Councillor Delaney: Expressed support for the fee proposals as a "great start" but urged the department to explore charging fees for additional permits (e.g., rights of entry) currently processed without charge. She emphasized ensuring that fee increases target those who can pay (e.g., frequent users) while protecting low-income access.
• Councillor Brown: Stated she would vote "no" on the first four fee proposals (aquatics, shelter, room, point of sale) due to their financial impact on residents. She noted she is "comfortable" with the proposed $100 alcohol fee, viewing alcohol as not a right, but remained frustrated with other fees despite the department's revenue efforts.
• Councillor Evans: Voiced "hesitation" regarding the fee increase proposals. He expressed concern that the additional revenue is insufficient to address systemic maintenance issues (e.g., garbage collection, mowing, facility closures) and requested clarification on how the funds would be utilized to prioritize these gaps. He also highlighted the need for a holistic funding plan beyond just fee adjustments.
• Councillor Brown (Follow-up): Reiterated that the proposed fee changes are necessary but highlighted the difficulty of even small increases for low-income residents. She questioned the feasibility of an "honor system" for affordability instead of rigid fees.
• Councillor Wells: Supported the Parks Alliance's mission and indicated the council is committed to fighting for park funding in the budget and state legislature.
• Director Crone (Response): Acknowledged the affordability concerns, noting that Indy Parks remains more affordable than surrounding cities. She confirmed ongoing research into progressive pricing tiers for low-income households and the continuation of scholarship programs.

Discussion Items

• Parks Fee Adjustment Update (Director Crone): Director Crone presented five approved proposals aimed at generating an estimated $262,774 in additional revenue for the 2026 fiscal year (to be applied to the 2027 budget):
  • Aquatics: Adjustment of general admission fees by $1 (ranging from $3 to $6), the first change in seven years. Crone noted the department spends $6 for every $1 earned in aquatics revenue.
  • Shelter Rentals: Price increases of $10 to $25 daily to align with revenue gains.
  • Room Rentals: A $20 per hour increase at nearly all facilities.
  • Point of Sale: Adjustments from $1 to $3 for fees like open gyms and skate rentals.
  • Alcohol Fee: Creation of a new $100 fee for special events with alcohol, modeled after cities like Cincinnati and Chicago.
  • Context: The department cited over $150 million in recent capital investments but noted diversification is needed due to property tax changes and inflation, with a 26% cumulative inflation rate since 2019.
• Parks Alliance Update (Blake Johnson & Jenny Boytz):
  • Blake Johnson (Interim CEO): Reported that the Alliance is in the black for the first time since 2017, raising $3.5 million in revenue in 2025 against $0.87 million in expenses. He highlighted that 65 cents of every dollar spent goes directly to park projects.
  • Projects: Notable recent work included Frederick Douglass Park court renovations (partnered with Pacers Foundation), Charkington Park playground improvements (partnered with Lily Endowment/Butler University), and corporate days of service with AES and Citizens Energy Group.
  • Financials: The Alliance raised between $250,000 and $300,000 via the "Lunch Rodeo" and plans to launch a "Par for Parks" golf outing following a successful first year.
  • Succession: Jenny Boytz introduced as the incoming CEO, emphasizing a focus on "big dollars" and filling funding gaps rather than just "pinching pennies."

Key Outcomes

• Unanimous Vote Reappointed: Larry Bates to the Board of Parks and Recreation.
• Fee Proposals: The committee received the presentation on five fee adjustment proposals approved by the Parks Board on Dec 16. While Councillor Brown voted to oppose four of the five specific fee items, the committee discussed the necessity of the revenue for gap-filling. No final committee vote on the fees was recorded in this transcript session, but the items were presented for informational and deliberative purposes.
• Strategic Directives: The committee directed Director Crone to continue investigating progressive revenue options (e.g., impact fees in other municipalities) and to explore tiered pricing models to protect low-income access. Councillor Delaney requested confirmation that all new revenue remains with the Parks Department and is not absorbed by the general county fund.
• Future Collaboration: The Parks Committee established a precedent for annual partnership reviews with the Parks Alliance, receiving a commitment from the new leadership to provide regular, transparent updates on fundraising and project deployment.