Grab Your Gloves and Join Us! | |
Planning is underway for the 2025 Skiles Test Nature Park clean-up. This year’s cleanup will be held on Saturday, April 26, from 9 to 11:30 a.m. at the 6828 Fall Creek Road entrance. Bring your gloves and garden tools and join us!
We will be weeding, trimming and all-around enhancing the Fall Creek Road entrance and the five alcoves along the paved trail, pruning back overgrowth along the foot trails, and removing litter throughout the park.
If you’re up for a more intense outdoor workout, how about a few hours of culvert cleaning or fence removal? Each year, we clean out the woodland runoff that collects in the drainage ditches along the paved trail. In 2024, we added fence removal to our “to do” list. This year, we plan to remove the remainder of the old farm fencing on the northside of the park along the paved trail.
Check out the article Planning Underway for 2025 Clean Up in the March edition of Nature News or email us at stnp@binford71.org for more information.
As in past years, coffee, water, and snacks will be provided.
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Multiple ramps, roads, and bridges are slated to open this year on the northeast side of Indianapolis as part of Clear Path 465. In 2025, drivers will see the completion of mainline I-465 and the majority of pavement replacement on I-69. The 2025 Clear Path Construction Guide outlines anticipated progress for the year.
Highlights in 2025 are expected to include full access to Binford Boulevard from the 82nd Street ramp to southbound I-69, as well as new bridges, ramps, and interchanges. Only intermittent lane and ramp restrictions on I-465 and I-69 are expected in 2026, with the majority of major construction activities wrapping up this year.
To learn more and stay up to date with progress and road openings/closures, please visit the link below:
| | Nickel Plate Trail Construction Update | |
Despite the winter weather, progress continues on the Nickel Plate Trail. DPW contractors have been actively working on several key areas. For details click on the information link below.
Upcoming Construction & Closures
Major construction activity will pick up in April and May, including temporary street closures:
82nd Street & 75th Street Closures (After April 1): These closures will allow for the installation of Trail crossings at both locations. Stay tuned for specific details on detours and timing.
Bridge Projects & Funding Update
Design work is advancing for pedestrian bridges over Keystone Avenue and 82nd Street. The Indianapolis Metropolitan Planning Organization (IMPO) recently announced funding for the 82nd Street bridge, which will create a fully separated pedestrian crossing over one of the city’s busiest roads, handling 40,000–43,000 vehicles per day. This federally funded project aims to improve safety for Trail users by reducing conflicts between pedestrians, cyclists, and vehicles. Read more about this exciting development here.
Stay Off the Trail for Safety
As a reminder, the Nickel Plate Trail remains an active construction site and is closed to the public. We appreciate everyone’s enthusiasm for the grand opening later this summer, but for now, please stay off the Trail and allow contractors to work safely.
Thank you for your patience and support as we build a safer, more connected Trail for our community!
BRAG will continue to work closely with DPW and provide relevant updates in 2025. Or you can follow the Trail’s progress at DPW’s project link below:
| | First of Six Binford Cleanups Underway | | |
With winter’s snow behind us and spring flowers starting to bloom, BRAG’s attention once again turns to battling the trash and litter along Binford Boulevard.
In its continual effort to maintain and improve this important corridor connecting our neighborhoods, BRAG will once again be partnering with Keep Indianapolis Beautiful Inc. (KIBI) and Keys2Work to conduct six cleanups along Binford between Kessler Boulevard and 75th Street. With your financial support, BRAG is able to financially support these cleanups.
The 2025 cleanup effort kicked off on March 22 with crews removing 469 pounds of trash from the Binford corridor. In total, 51 bags of garbage were collected. Cleanups will continue throughout the spring and into the fall. All cleanups will be held on Saturdays from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Cleanups are tentatively scheduled for:
April 19 (65th Street to Kessler Boulevard)
June 28 (65th Street to 75th Street)
July 19 (65th Street to Kessler Boulevard)
September 20 (65th Street to 75th Street)
October 18 (65th Street to Kessler Boulevard)
Look for reminders as the remaining cleanups approach and please be aware there will be rolling lane closures provided by IMPD along Binford Boulevard during this time. Thanks for your understanding and patience as BRAG, Keys2Work, and KIBI work to keep our neighborhood clean!
If you are interested in donating to BRAG to help us cover the costs of these cleanups, please click below.
| | Binford Farmers Market - 6620 Northview Way, Indianapolis, IN 46220 | Each Saturday, May through September, 8 a.m. to noon. Northview Church Campus | | |
Farmers Market Set to Open May 3
The trees are beginning to bloom, which means the BRAG Binford Farmers Market sponsored by Community Health Network is almost here!
Mark your calendars for our blood drive and e-waste recycling events. Versiti bloodmobile will be hosting blood donation drives on May 31, June 28, Aug. 9, and Sept. 13. RecycleForce will be collecting e-waste recycling at the market on May 24, July 26, and Sept. 28. A new recycling addition will also be joining the market this year – a household battery recycling receptacle will be situated at the market host tent each week this year thanks to Cirba Solutions!
Many new and returning organizations will be joining us for our monthly themes this year, so stay tuned to our newsletter and social media for all the latest updates. We will open the season with the May theme Growing Good Health, which local representative Carey Hamilton will kick off for us by distributing free seedlings at our first market on May 3 from 8 a.m. to noon.
We are so grateful for renewed partnerships this year with Northview Church Binford Campus and Capstone Café, our host venue, and our signature sponsor Community Health Network. Their consistent commitment to improving health and wellness in the BRAG area through this local partnership brings fresh food, local wares, live music, and community partners to more than 20,000 market visitors each season. Tune in to social media to get a sneak peek of the exciting new vendors joining this year!
| | Click Registration link below to donate blood | | BRAG - Contribute to Community Growth | |
BRAG is actively engaged in several exciting initiatives, including the Binford Beautification and Cleanup projects, Skiles Test Nature Park Cleanup, Neighborhood Crime Watch programs, Castleton Revitalization efforts, the Binford Farmers Market, and supporting the development of the Nickel Plate Trail.
Every donation helps us continue building the vibrant community you love to live, work, and play in!
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BRAG, IMPD North District leadership, and IMPD officers are grateful for the on-going donations and support from the community to maintain and supply the substation and to the property owners of Shadeland Station who provide this space rent free.
As of Jan. 1, McCrea Property Group has taken over as the new Shadeland Station site property management company for the landlord. BRAG board members have been pleased to meet on-site with McCrea Property Group leadership.
BRAG will continue to manage the police substation, and we look forward to partnering with both groups to maintain the substation as a valued community asset within the Shadeland Station shopping center.
Our local officers greatly appreciate your snack donations to the Police Substation on North Shadeland Avenue. Snacks and drinks are always needed! We are especially in need of Gatorade and chips. You can support us by ordering through our Amazon List (linked below) or dropping off donations at the Mailing Station 5868 East 71st St. during normal business hours.
We can also accept gift card and cash donations. Need more information email us at info@binford71.org.
To order items for the police substation please select the link below.
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Are you looking for a way to give back to your community and make a positive impact in the BRAG community?
We’re looking for volunteers to support or join one of our committees with minimal time commitment. This is a great way to give back to your community! Opportunities include helping with the Binford Farmers Market, green spaces, Crime Prevention, administrative tasks, and more. Interested?
Email us at brag@binford71.org to learn how you can get involved!
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Want to stay updated on community events with IMPD North District and a summary of the monthly incidents? Click the link below to sign up for monthly BRAG Crime Prevention emails.
Have questions related to Crime Prevention Contact Us.
| | Indianapolis - Local Government Information | | Contact your City County Councilor | | Mayor's Action Center (MAC) | BRAG encourages all individuals to report areas of concern in our community around trash not being picked up, medians that need attention, potholes, abandoned vehicles, stray animals, and more through the Mayor's Action Center (MAC) by calling 317-327-4622 or click the link below and make your request online! | | A huge shoutout and big thanks to our amazing sponsors and partners for supporting BRAG and the Binford Farmers Market! We couldn’t do it without you! | |
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