Crowdfunding campaign launched for “O’Bannon Park” Project

INDIANAPOLIS – Indianapolis Frank and Judy O’Bannon Old Northside Soccer Park will soon be expanded to include a new playspace, splash pad and picnic shelter thanks to a recently launched crowdfunding campaign. The campaign is sponsored by the Indiana Housing and Community Development Authority (IHCDA) and offered through the crowdfunding platform developed by Patronicity. The campaign is led by the Indianapolis Parks Foundation in collaboration with a dedicated group of Old Northside, Herron Morton, Martindale, Brightwood and Windsor Park neighbors.

“We are honored at the opportunity to celebrate Frank and Judy O’Bannon by helping to complete the park that bares their names,” said Lt. Governor Suzanne Crouch. “By partnering with the Indianapolis Parks Foundation, a leader in developing parks throughout Indianapolis for more than 30 years, we have no doubt that these new additions will help to meet the growing recreational needs in Central Indiana.”

If the campaign reaches its $27,500 goal by February 1, 2019 the O’Bannon Park project will receive a matching grant of $27,500 from IHCDA’s CreatINg Places program.

Click here for project details and to donate.

The funding raised during this campaign will transform this beloved greenspace central to near downtown neighborhoods to enhance its uses and recreational opportunities. The project will complete a new playspace, splash pad and picnic shelter to serve the growing recreational needs of Indianapolis communities. This may be the last chance to implement these much needed enhancements to O’Bannon Park; we have a unique opportunity to leverage our community fundraising with public resources and funding that will not exist in the future.

“The Indianapolis Parks Foundation is proud to partner with IHCDA, Patronicity, and local neighborhood leaders to ‘complete the park’ by installing these much-needed recreational amenities,” said Lori Hazlett, President of the Indianapolis Parks Foundation.  “Once completed, these enhancements to O’Bannon Park will serve current and future generations of families in these near downtown neighborhoods for many years to come.”

Since the CreatINg Places program began in 2016, projects have raised in excess of $1,980,000 in public funds and an additional $1,693,000 in matching IHCDA funds.

The CreatINg Places program is available to projects located in Indiana communities. Non-profit entities (with 501c3 or 501c4 status) and Local Units of Government are eligible to apply.

Eligible projects must have a minimum total development cost of $10,000, where the recipient will receive $5,000 in IHCDA matching funds should they successfully raise $5,000 through Patronicity. IHCDA will provide matching grant funds up to $50,000 per project.