13 WTHR - Indianapolis News |Indy Parks to raise fees

Indy Parks to raise fees

Mary Milz/Eyewitness News

Indianapolis - The rising cost of running the city's parks is leading to some changes for the people who use them.

Thursday, the park board agreed to raise some fees and add others. Weight room passes are going up, as are certain fees at Eagle Creek and the cost for commercial photographers to use city parks as a backdrop.

There's also a new cancellation policy when reserving park facilities. Park users won't get their money back if they don't cancel in time.

"We were turning away several events because someone would cancel at the last minute," said Lisa Leming, Indy Parks revenue and facilities.

She said there are also changes at the city's three dog parks, including a discount for sibling dogs and a new multi-park pooch pass.

"We're hoping to increase attendance at the parks which will then increase revenue," she said.

She said all told, the changes are expected to raise an extra $100,000, making up for the lower-than-projected revenue this last year.

The park board also signed off on a new lease for the old Whistle Stop cafe at 64th and the Monon. David Gabovitch plans to open an ice-cream sandwich shop there.

Parks real estate manager Paul Smith said the city will get $15,000 in rent the first year and more thereafter.

While Smith said the space could have generated more as an office rental, but "it's important that we have something that responds well to users on the trail."

Gabovitch plans to open in March.

Kara Warrington, who uses the Monon often, said the Whistle Stop "was always busy. We would stop and use it. It will be nice to see something in there. It looks so sad at this moment."

Smith said the city is also seeking proposals for the nearby depot directly north and the depot near the Fairgrounds at 38th and the Monon.

"We're turning over every stone to find revenue for the city," he said.

He said the goal was to have leases signed for those buildings sometime next spring.