Cancer Survivors Park on the move - 13 WTHR Indianapolis

A park dedicated to cancer survivors which has fallen into disrepair will be moved today and given a fresh new look. The park, located at 10th and Indiana Avenue, was built to celebrate the victory of those who have battled and survived cancer. 

But 18 years of weather, wear and tear has taken a toll.  The structure is crumbling, and many consider that disrespectful to those the park was supposed to honor.  So Indy Parks has plans to move much of the park to a new location at Fall Creek Parkway and Washington Boulevard. 

But the new location has something the old one lacks - parking spots and accessibility. "We would hope people would be inspired as they drive by," said IndyParks Director Jen Pittman, "just as they are now. We would also hope that if someone would like to go and have a quiet, reflective moment, they'd be able to do that in the new space."

Along Fall Creek, the new park will include many of the features of the current park, including the bronze sculpture. But some of the concrete work will be left out intentionally, because it requires the most upkeep.  In keeping with the visibility of the current location, the new park will be situated along another high profile thoroughfare on the near north side. 

"The sculptures, the smaller elements remain," said Pittman. "The large items go away. That means, long-term, maintenance is sustainable."

The new park will cost an estimated $250,000 of Parks Foundation funds. Building a new park will cost less than half the cost of renovating the old park.  The current triangle on 10th will remain IndyParks property, and remain a park. But exactly what type hasn't been determined. 

A meeting tonight at 6 o'clock at Tabernacle Presbyterian Church will show off the new renderings, and allow public input about the new park.