This is one of my new favorite places to go for a walk/ hike. There are so many trails to choose…read morefrom and when you enter the park on a sunny day, most of the trails to your right are shaded by the umbrella of trees. The trails to the left, on the other hand, are well- lit and sunny. On our most recent visit, my husband and I stumbled upon a very small cemetery. I thought that it might have been a pet cemetery due to its size, but after some quick research, my husband was able to find information regarding the family that it is believed to have belonged to. It was both creepy and cool at the same time. We walked a loop that was surprisingly dense at points and I was amazed at the fact that we didn't pop back out onto the main trail as quickly as I'd thought we would. There were some very steep slopes at points that were marked with cones that I found to be quite dangerous, but it's nature, so what are you going to do?! I love the preservation of this natural/ wild space. The sound of the birds in the forest canopy is calming and there are several places to stop, have s seat and just listen. There is also at least one of those tiny community libraries located there, as well as many other interesting features.

Growing up in the city of Danville, Illinois, there were always parks to enjoy nature. I would…read morenever expect that in the middle of Indianapolis, you could get lost in the wilderness. When me and my wife went hiking on these trails, I forgot we were in the city. It was so peaceful and pleasant and relaxing. This is definitely a place to go for a nice walk and tranquility. Even the squirrels, birds, dragonflies, and all of nature's creatures seem to enjoy the area. I can't wait for us to go back again.

A HUGE thank you to Melissa for being accommodating and providing a small group of us with enough…read morematerial for an arrangement party! The flowers were gorgeous and a great selection that came together perfectly! Thanks again!

Holloway's Garden is a urban neighborhood garden specializes in unique varieties fresh cut,…read morebouquets, and edible flowers at our urban farm on the Near East side of Indianapolis. They have partnered with Growing Places Indy whose mission is to empower people to "cultivate individual, family, and community wellness through urban agriculture, access to fresh local food, and mind-body education." Growing Places Indy sponsors the Young Grow Getters Program, a paid, six-week intensive hands-on youth agriculture program. They produce some beautiful flowers including jowey paulas, peonies, ranunculus, zinnias, lisianthus and snapdragons. They are not your usally flowers that you always hear about, but equally as beautiful, if not more so. The garden itself is not very big, but serves a greater purpose than just providing flowers. It is the only green space within miles of that neighborhood. It is located right on the corner and hard to miss. They operate year-round and they sell their goods on site, just check their social media for days and times. You can also find their flowers at local markets such as SoBro Farmers Market, where they are a regular vendor. If you want to support local. This is the place for you. You cannot get more local than this. This is a nice business that supports some very positive programs. They have some exotic flowers that would surely make a wonderful surprise for that someone special.

I really enjoyed my experience here. I went in the early winter to drop off pumpkins and then…read moretoured the farm. Everyone was so friendly and happy to answer questions. The farm is well maintained and you can tell the animals are well taken care of. I highly recommend a visit.

Loved our experience here! We came for the holiday market and toured the farm as well! Love the…read moremission of this place. We also got to meet Doc Holiday who is a celebrity in our household. If you have a chance to visit and support, I HIGHLY recommend!

Amazing experience!! So cool for the kids to learn about how syrup is created and to try it as well!read more

Went with the family to check out the Maple Madness free event that they had today! Great job! It…read morewas chilly, but the sun was out and they had fire pits. They went through the history of the park, showed 3 different ways of how they get the sap from the trees and even had some taste testing at the end! It was fun and informative! Thank you!

Oh, Growing Places - you've been rocking the farm to table, urban gardening, food accessibility…read morescene before it was "cool". Not only are you a beautiful and educational addition to the White River State Park scene but you also make it possible for all to have access to produce through affordable pricing, SNAP programs and selling to local restaurants. Most are probably familiar with Growing Places Indy thanks to Indy Winter Farmer's Market which they founded and have operated for more than seven years throughout downtown locations (currently: Circle City Industrial Complex / kicking off in November). If you're looking for more ways to get involved with Growing Places Indy, they often have volunteer opportunities and you can visit their June-September farm stands at the Boner Center on Thursdays (4-6:30 PM - also donation-based yoga during this time) and at the IndyGo Transit Center on Fridays from 3-6 pm. I personally can't wait for some yoga and veggies next Thursday. Thanks for all you do, GPI!

A nonprofit adding beauty and functionality to our entire city. They have three farm sites: Boner…read moreCenter, Slow Food Farm in White River State Park, and the Slow Food Garden at Cottage Home. They also have farm stands open to the entire community from June to September. The farm stands offer fresh produce for a low cost, and they even accept food stamps. Growing Places Indy also runs the Indy Winter Farmers Market in Circle City Industrial Complex (an incredible market if you haven't been before!). They also teach yoga classes and offer tons of volunteer opportunities for individuals or big groups to come and help in the farms. One of my favorite parts? They communicate with local restaurants to provide local produce. Duos, King Dough, and many more around Indy use some produce from these sites in their cooking. Very cool!

Was able to connect a Family with this affordable Summer Camp in the Irvington community. After…read moregetting the kiddos signed up, the staff directed them to the cafeteria for a hot breakfast.The staff was very attentive to the children and welcomed them with bright smiles and Good Mornings. It is Faith based, so the children are required to participate in praise and worship before engaging in the fun activities. The kiddos were pumped this morning for their field trip to the Zoo!

This is a wonderful place that has turned lives around for many individuals and families. The…read moregentlemen who started Shepherd did not buy a home for his family in some affluent neighborhood, instead they purchased a home right in the heart of the people they work with to have a close relationship with the people in the area. Today I am receiving the royal tour with Phil Edwards who is in charge of Champions Of Missions. There is a great need for volunteers here. If you have a heart for children and have thought about volunteering some time, you might want to look into Shepherd Community. You can spend as little as an hour a week or as much as you desire. Working with the children will require passing a background check. They have school for kindergarten through high school although not all classes meet here. Some of the high school graduates are the first in the family to graduate. There are classes for adults too. They can learn English, get a GED, learn to sew, and a list of many things. Since poverty is rampant food donations are always needed and appreciated. Shepherd makes sure the children have three meals a day which is a rarity. Churches make up baskets at Christmas time full of makeup and other things women would like and the children are taken to shop and pick out a basket for their mom for a Christmas gift. They are always so excited. Volunteers are needed in many capacities.Volunteer somewhere. You won't regret it. Helping others is one of the greatest feelings and rewards you will ever experience. The pantry is very low on peanut butter, Mac and cheese, Milk, and personal hygiene products. Anything a group or individual can donate is helpful. Go during their open hours or if you have a lot to donate, call them and ask when and where at the building would be best for the delivery. Thanks for reading and thank you if you pass this on to gain volunteers and donations for the children at Shepherd Community! God Bless You

I have a really mixed relationship with Broad Ripple Village, located six miles north of downtown…read moreIndy and the longest established of Indy's seven cultural districts. The area was established by Jacob Coil (which is where the recently established Coil Apartments got their name) in 1836 - Coil actually did name it Broad Ripple because "the ripple in the river at this point was the largest and widest in the country." Legend had it only one man, Isaac Simpson, could throw a stone across it. The area has nearly 17,000 residents and is known for its diverse population. It played host to White City Amusement Park in 1906 and The Vogue opened in 1938. The Broad Ripple Village Association was founded in 1969 to promote life in the area. Of course, many who've lived here for years will testify that the area's "village" vibe has lessened over the years as ramshackle buildings are replaced by high-rise apartments and indie shops are replaced by corporate chains. Crime is higher these days (though overstated in my opinion). The bar scene has always been pretty heavy in the area and the introduction of parking meters continues to be an unpopular decision. I find accessibility to be hit-and-miss in the area, though it has improved with recent construction efforts as curb cuts get better, accessible parking improves, and at least some stores have made an effort to improve access. Some of the older buildings continue to be difficult in terms of access including one-step spots right on the strip and those places in some of the older residential settings. Broad Ripple continues to be a great area for dining, the still under development Riverwalk, a handful of great coffeehouses, nightlife, and a general artsy vibe. The Broad Ripple Art Fair continues to be popular, the Vogue is still a great spot for indie acts, the farmer's market is great, and Broad Ripple Park (and family center) remains popular (Personal Note: It's also where I was baptized!). In terms of parking, there are quite a few businesses with lots, the parking garage at 62nd and College, parking meters, and the Red Line goes directly to 62nd and College. Despite lamenting some of the commercialization of the area, I still have a soft spot for Broad Ripple and spend quite a bit of time here. To catch everything available, check out the Broad Ripple Village Association website as there's an awful lot to do including the Monon Trail and the Indianapolis Art Center.

This sub-division on Indianapolis is a happening spot. It was established in 1836 by Jacob Coilis…read moreand currently has a population of approximately 17,000 residents. It is an artsy kind of place that is filled with public art. You will find some awesome murals here. You will also find some nice shops, art galleries, boutiques and restaurants here as well. Some cool restaurants include 317 Burger, Union Jack Pub, Rise n Roll bakery, Sun King Brewery, Broad Ripple Brewpub, the Egyptian Cafe and Hookah Bar, Hoagies and Hops, and Brickhouse Dueling Piano Bar, just to name a few. And some cool and notable shops to check out include Indy CD and Vinyl, Monon Plant Company, Uptown Pup, Prairie General, Indy Urban Flea, and the Indianapolis Art Center. It is also home to the 62 Acre Broad Ripple Park. Most of the area is covered with metered street parking with a few commercial lots also available. It is a relatively clean area that has a high class feel. It is very close to Butler University and is a popular spot for many students. This is a beautiful place that holds a large portion of the Monon Trail and runs some of the White River Canal. They host a farmers market every Saturday, year round, in the Glendale Town Center. This is definitely a place to check out and spend some time at if you are visiting. It is a cool place for locals to come to as well. I thoroughly enjoyed checking out the shops and wonderful murals in the area. This area is full of life and packed with history and culture.

On this beautiful #ThankYouThursday, I want to share some gratitude for Random Acts of Flowers!…read moreThis nonprofit accepts fresh flower and used vase donations, then creates pretty bouquets that they deliver to people in healthcare facilities. They're making peoples' days all around the city and I think it's such a rad mission. If you have a wedding or big event, you should definitely donate your florals to RAOF instead of tossing them afterwards so they can continue to spread joy. If you don't have flowers or vases to donate, you can volunteer to make the bouquets or create an event for your office or friend group to craft bouquets while you chat. Super fun and simple!

Random Acts of Flowers(RAF) is an amazing non-profit started by a guy named Larson who saw a need…read moreand immediately took action. This random act of kindness turned into Random Acts of Flowers... This organization has since grown to have locations not only in Indianapolis but also in the Knoxville and Tampa Bay areas. Over the years they've aided in the improved well-being of over 481,000 bouquet recipients nationwide!! This.is.AmAzInG!! Yesterday, through work, I had the opportunity to help create bouquets to be delivered at Eskenazi Health. Our goal was 125 bouquets, we surpass our goal and I couldn't be more thrilled! Feeling extremely blessed to have been apart of something that makes such a positive impact! Being a nonprofit they rely heavily on donations. Please up cycle your extra vases and unneeded floral arrangements. Together we can make a huge impact on someone recovering!