Volume V | July 2020

Millersville Monthly A community spotlight from Millersville at Fall Creek Valley

Millersville Musings

A note from Board President, Amy Hammes

Hi neighbor!

Throughout the pandemic, our motivations as a community organization continue to center on increasing quality of life and community vitality. That focus helps to increase property values and strengthen local businesses. We are so proud of our community and we want you to be, too! Through litter pickups, beautification projects, greenspace initiatives and Village identification, here are some of the highlights we’ve been working on this spring and summer:   Beautification. Have you noticed the beautiful gateway median gardens at the two main entrances to Millersville Village? These are the pride and joy of our Village. Read more below on how these gardens remain vibrant and how you can help! Millersville Village Signage. We are excited to share that we have secured enough funding to move into the next phase of seeking official approval from the City for Millersville Village signage. Keep scrolling for a preview!  A new greenspace project. We have been selected as interviewing finalists for the Keep Indianapolis Beautiful – IPL Greenspace Project Service Grant 2021! We submitted an applicaiton for a new greenspace concept along Fall Creek, adjacent to the newly revitalized Fall Creek Trail – curious about it? Keep reading! We are also monitoring other issues that affect Millersville residents and their property. Read an update below about how you answered the call to oppose another billboard in our community, and how neighbors have held the Dollar Tree to the same standard of good stewardship of their business property as other businesses. Rest assured, we stay on top of illegal dumping and work hard to utilize our city’s resources to remove it quickly from our community. Our all-volunteer, donation-driven community organization has our eye on Millersville and continues to take action to protect the integrity of our growing and developing community. We can’t do it without your help – your time and money is spent furthering our shared goal of building a community we all are proud of. Hope to see you at our next volunteer event!

Millersville Matters Don't miss what's happening around the neighborhood!

UPDATE ON PROPOSED BILLBOARD AT I-465 AND 56th STREET Last month we informed you that the apartment complex R56 on 56th Street at I-465 was seeking a variance to erect a giant billboard at the gateway to our community. Not only would this billboard be larger than allowed, ANYTHING could be posted on it in the future. So many of you answered the call to show your opposition to this billboard that the City planner had to set up an automated reply! GREAT NEWS! The apartment complex withdrew their proposal. Thanks to the many of you who made your voice heard in support of the Millersville community.

THE NEW FALL CREEK TRAIL IS OPEN! BIG THANKS to Indy Department of Public Works (DPW) and Indy Parks Department for the hard work and funding that went in to rehabilitating our stretch of Fall Creek Trail. Have you seen the new trailhead construction? More great places to sit and get your bearings while taking in the natural beauty afforded our community. Specifically, the trail is open again from the 5700 block of Fall Creek Parkway south to the Eunhye Korean Presbyterian Church, where a new trailhead plaza is nearly finished. The Trail is currently closed just beyond that spot, from Delmar Road south to just past the 46th Street bridge, where crews are now working. Curious to learn more about the work being done on the trail? Click here for more information and other great pictures!

GORGEOUS PLANTERS IN FULL BLOOM! Wow! Native plants and beautiful annuals overflow our gateway medians this summer - with a big thanks to our dedicated volunteers who continue to maintain this charming welcome to our community. WE NEED YOU! Join our watering team for a minimal commitment in helping us keep these medians watered this hot, hot summer. Do it as infrequently or as often as you'd like - it's all volunteer! We'll give you a safe tutorial to show you the ropes then volunteer when it fits your schedule. Email mhall4711@aol.com for more information. Read more about our Beautification Efforts here!

NEW GREENSPACE PROJECT How easy it is to forget that we have a beautiful stretch of Fall Creek running right through our community! We are interview finalists for the KIB-IPL Greenspace Award , and our vision is to clear away the invasive plant species to provide an overlook for viewing the calming waters. The proposed space will have limestone benches and educational signage related to watershed management and sustainability as well as the historical significance of Fall Creek to the economic development of Millersville and the city of Indianapolis. We hope this space will not only provide users of the trail a serene spot to sit and enjoy the beautiful babbling Fall Creek, but also pique your interest into learning more about this vital and historic waterway.

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Upcoming Events Here's your chance to get involved!

YOUR INPUT MATTERS: Chime in on the Lower Fall Creek Watershed Management Plan

To improve water quality in our area, the Marion County Soil and Water Conservation District and Reconnecting to Our Waterways (ROW) are collaborating on an update of the 2009 The Lower Fall Creek Watershed Management Plan. Check out this survey to make your voice heard! Survey will remain open for a few more weeks. There will also be a virtual planning session on 7/29 at 4:00p .

August Quick-Hitter Litter Clean-Up Saturday, August 15 9:30 AM Meet at the Champagne and White building next to Starbucks on 56th for a safe, socially distant briefing to discuss areas where we should focus MORE INFO

Millersville Village: Business District

SIGNS FOR MILLERSVILLE VILLAGE We are thrilled to announce that through the generous donations of individuals, business owners, and a $2500 grant from Reconnecting to Our Waterways (ROW) through Central Indiana Community Foundation (CICF), we have completed fundraising for our Millersville Village signage project! We are pursuing approval from the City for installation of three signs around the Village. Stay tuned for more updates in the coming months!

KEEPING AN EYE ON MILLERSVILLE VILLAGE We have invested hundreds of volunteer hours into keeping Millersville Village clean, beautiful, and reputable. Here are some visible differences in our community this spring/summer: Thanks to concerns put in to the Mayor's Action Center, Dollar Tree has a new enclosure in the back to reduce garbage blowing from the dumpsters We call in illegal dumping to have it removed as soon as possible, like this pile of junk abandoned from the trail work. It was gone within a day or two! We are so lucky to have this burst of commerce in our historical community. Some of the ways in which we keep our local economy active is through maintaining its aesthetics - we want to put our best foot forward. You can help too by calling in illegal dumping when you see it - it takes a village! Don't forget- We've got a page full of City resources for you!

Got a few minutes during your next HOA meeting? Big thanks to Lake Charlevoix , Brendonwood , and Mallard Lake , for a chance to drop in and say hello this year! Looking forward to Boardwalk next month! Amy would love to attend your next HOA or neighborhood meeting, either in person or virtually, to tell you about all the great things we're up to in the community! Email millersvilleboard@gmail.com to set up a date!

We love having NEW volunteers! Check out these opportunities to give back to your community. Don't have time to volunteer? Consider donating to support these efforts.

FOLLOW US on social media @millersvillefcv