The Idle facts for kids

The Idle is a unique public park located in Indianapolis, Indiana. It offers a special view of the busy I-65 and I-70 highways. The park is easy to reach, as it sits right off the Indianapolis Cultural Trail on Virginia Avenue. It connects the city's Fletcher Place and Fountain Square neighborhoods, which are separated by the I-65 highway.

What is The Idle Park?

The Idle is a small, peaceful green space. It was created to give people a quiet spot to relax and watch the world go by. The park's name, "The Idle," suggests a place for pausing and thinking. It's a great example of how a small piece of land can be turned into something special for the community.

How The Idle Park Started

The idea for The Idle park began in 2013. A local property developer and business owner named Tom Battista had the vision for this unique space. He wanted to create a park where people could enjoy a different view of the city.

Funding the Park

Building The Idle park needed money and teamwork. Part of the funding came from a website called Patronicity, which helps people raise money for projects through crowdfunding. This means many people gave small amounts of money to help the park. They raised $48,462 this way. The Indiana Housing and Community Development Authority, a state group that helps with community projects, added another $41,000.

Working Together for the Park

Since The Idle park is on land next to a federal highway, many different groups had to work together. These included the Federal Highway Administration, the Indiana Department of Transportation, and the Indianapolis Department of Public Works. All these groups had to agree and cooperate to make the park a reality.

Features of The Idle Park

The Idle park has several interesting features designed for visitors to enjoy.

Park Design and Seating

The park includes a special limestone trail that is easy for everyone to use. This trail leads to a viewing platform. On the platform, you'll find seats that have a cool history. They were saved from the city's old Bush Stadium, which was once a sports arena.

Plants and Benches

The Idle park also features native vegetation. These are plants that naturally grow in the area. This helps the park fit in with its surroundings. You can also find benches made from repurposed ash trees. This means trees that were cut down for other reasons were given a new life as park benches.

Learning About the Park

Throughout the park, there are informative signage. These signs tell you about the history of the area and explain the idea behind The Idle project. They help visitors understand more about this unique urban space.