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.

If it's related to the arts in Lawrence, there's a pretty good chance that Arts for Lawrence has a…read morehand in it. Started as a non-profit in 2006, Arts for Lawrence is the largest non-profit arts organization in Lawrence and Indy's northeast quadrant. The organization serves as the steward for the historic Theater at the Fort and offers a remarkably diverse array of affordable arts programs at Theater at the Fort, Fort Ben Cultural Campus, and the Visual Arts Campus. VERY often, these activities are provided at no charge to the community. This was the case for this past weekend's Shakespeare at the Fort: A Midsummer Night's Dream directed by longtime Indy radio personality Matthew Socey. At one point, I was contemplating placing a memorial for children lost to violence in the Fort Ben area - It was Arts for Lawrence that responded and had some dialogue about the idea. Essentially, I've found the organization pretty amazingly responsive when it comes to exploring ideas for creatively improving the lives of Lawrence residents. The musical chairs at Fort Ben? Arts for Lawrence is behind this wonderful, family-friendly installation operating daily from 9am-10pm. (I do agree with some who've observed it would have been ideal to include at least one accessible swing). The Fort Ben Cultural Campus as launched in 2021 with the former Fort Harrison Communications Building moved to the campus and re-established as a Visual Arts Center with monthly exhibitions, a ceramics studio offering classes for all ages and abilities, and upstairs area offering additional classes. Programs include festivals, theater performances, outdoor concert series, art classes, art exhibitions, poetry readings, and more. Food trucks often appear at outdoor events. Being right by Lawrence's City Hall, this area seems to have become a central locale for many of the City's sponsored community activities. Arts for Lawrence also has a strong equity statement on their website indicating a desire to ensure that arts programming is accessible to all. The Visual Arts Center is now open from 6-9pm daily and during festivals. Additional features include the Sterrett Center, Marching Sidewalk, Lawrence's public art, the amphitheater, and an app offering AR/VR experiences. Arts for Lawrence only assumed stewardship of Theater at the Fort in 2016. They began a vigorous upgrading of the 1929 theater and while it's certainly not perfectly accessible (what 1929 building is?), it's dramatically improved and there's an attitude of access. As a city, Lawrence fairly recently established a commission on disability. It took me quite a while to realize that many of the activities I attend here in the Fort Ben area fall under the umbrella of Arts for Lawrence. I'd imagine it will only improve once the currently under construction Fort Ben branch of the Indianapolis Public Library is completed. There's so much to love here and Arts for Lawrence is behind much of it and they've become a guiding player in the growing Lawrence arts scene. With friendly people, great events, and opportunities for all, I'm definitely a fan of Arts for Lawrence.

I love coming to support local artists here! I have been a few times now for Crossroads Dance Indy…read moreperformances and I love it every time. The venue feels small, but still fits an audience of 100+. The staff are always so friendly and do a good job of guiding you where to go. The restrooms are always clean as well. The parking situation isn't super great, however. I usually park in the lot across the street, but there isn't a ton of room on show nights. You'd have to find street parking if it were a busy night. Plan extra time just in case!

High Frequency Arts was once located in downtown Fishers' Nickel Plate District, but it's since…read moremoved to the new Hub & Spoke building near 106th and I-69. Hub & Spoke is a mixed-use development with a design center, retail showrooms, coworking space and makerspace. High Frequency Arts specifically is an artisan gift shop featuring dozens of local makers. This would be a great place to buy unique holiday gifts - ornaments, coasters, prints, mugs, etc. but I'm not sure how much foot traffic it gets being inside a larger building.

New art gallery and event space in the heart of Fishers. High Frequency Arts provides access to…read morecontemporary artwork to individuals and businesses. The gallery also serves as a space for exhibitions and pop-up events. During a visit to the Grand Opening exhibition, I was impressed by the variety of displayed artwork. There were 13 or so artists that were represented, and the work was curated in a way that they all fall in their own categories and genres. It was a feast for the eyes to be able to see a little bit of everything. The gallery itself is located in a modern space with an industrial feel. There are walls on wheels that provide flexibility on how the space is used. Some events (workshops, dance lessons) are already scheduled to take place at the gallery.

This ball Park is a lot of fun for the children but is dated. They are lacking on the maintenance…read moreside of the structures in regards to the roofing and the wood siding having some rot and in need of painting the fields are maintained to the best of their abilities but some good donors are needed to help bring this place back up where it used to be and to continue to let this be a place for kids to come and enjoy for years to come. I highly recommend if you live in this community to pitch in some elbow grease or some simple funds to cover things like chalk and paint as it will go a long way and they are working with everything they have. I only get to come by for a few games a year but I always make sure I assist with funds in the concession stands and I always help out with the fundraisers. It doesn't take much to get involved and help bring the ball parks around town back to life.

I will confess that I'm not particularly fond of reviewing historical landmarks or public art,…read morethough there are certainly places that possess an allure that is undeniable and prove themselves to be worthy of special mention. Spring Valley Cemetery is such a place. Located on the grounds of what used to be Fort Benjamin Harrison, Spring Valley Cemetery actually preceded the military installation and maintained its status as a cemetery when the original farmer who owned the land simply refused to sell it. The Army tried several times to have the property condemned and relocated yet failed. Now, the military installation is gone and the cemetery remains. I love stories like that. The first burial ground in Lawrence Township, Spring Valley Cemetery has also been known as Thomas Silvey Cemetery, its original name, along with Reddick Farm Cemetery, Joshua Reddick Cemetery, and even Fort Harrison Cemetery. This is one of those "blink and you'll miss it cemeteries, though interestingly enough it continues to be considered an active cemetery with a cemetery association secretary who is located in Sheridan, Indiana. I tried without success to locate any type of official website or contact information for the cemetery - while it is listed in the cemetery database run by the State of Indiana, only the individual's name is listed as a contact. Spring Valley Cemetery is fairly easily accessible, though you have to be looking for the entryway. As someone in a wheelchair, I'll note that it's an older cemetery and if you want to wheel around it you need to probably have someone with you as it's not what I'd call an easily accessible cemetery. It's relatively flat in terms of surfaces, so it's possible. As most of the graves in the cemetery are older, the cemetery association's funds are limited and even 20 years ago the association was concerned about future maintenance. Geocachers should note that there's a geocache located in the grounds of the cemetery. Because it's a seldom used, relatively isolated spot you can pretty much search without being bothered other than the fact that you're relatively close to the Lawrence Police Department and City Hall. Fascinating facts include that at least one Revolutionary War veteran is buried here, a Reddick family member, though there's some doubt as to whether the grave actually includes his remains. There are also at least 15 Civil War veterans here. There are quite a few grave markers that are so old the ability to read them has long since faded away. It's not always known that around the turn of the 20th century that this area of Lawrence Township was actually comprised of 5 small towns. Some of the names have stuck. For example, Castleton actually really was a small town even back then. Spring Valley, with about 25 families, didn't even qualify as a small town. It was more like a neighborhood, though a fairly well functioning one. I've always loved older cemeteries. I find them fascinating and sad and mysterious and peaceful. In this time of quarantining, I finally took the time to really explore this one and really fell in love with it so much that I explored its history and, as a result, learned much more about an area that is fairly close to my home. If you're stopping by Fort Ben or Culver's or Cafe Audrey or any other of the fine restaurants or attractions around here, check out Spring Valley Cemetery and learn a bit about the history of this area and its people.

Like a newborn toddler learning to walk and then talk, it's been fun to watch Big Car grow and…read moredevelop over the last few years. I actually believe my first time to the Center was for the Yelp 500 two or three years ago and since then I've been for art shows, film screenings, meetings or just to marvel at their tremendous parking lot gardens and chickens. There's something so raw and edgy that makes Big Car a perfect fit for its surroundings. Nestled between all of my favorite ethnic eateries and stores, the building and staff is very in tune with what is going on in Lafayette and tapping in to the diverse audience of the area. I would have to say my favorite part about the Service Center is the simple fact that it once served as a car repair shop but is now filled with Sun King beer, a screening room, and a calendar packed with classes and events for all ages. Can't wait to see what comes next for this creative powerhouse.

Big Car? Oh, you mean the place with the chicken coops…read more I've driven past this facility several times and I always wondered about what went on inside. (The last time I visited, it was a tire center, lol) I was pleasantly surprised by what Big Car had done with the place. I had the opportunity to participate in the Digital Disconnect event where you surrender your mobile devices for an evening of good old fashioned fun. Think board games, letter writing, and live music. Of course, I panicked when I realized that I wanted to tweet about the event and my cell phone was nowhere to be found. But, wow. How refreshing to remember life before being connected to EVERYONE 24 hours a day. Kudos to Big Car on a great event and on re-purposing an unused building on the NW side. I'm looking forward to returning soon and often.

I had came here for a MLK event. The theater is really nice and love how it still has its…read morehistorical pieces to it from when it was first made. This building is history. The seating is comfortable and any view you can see the stage great inside the building.

I have visited this location numerous times for different events. I really love the ambiance and…read morethe decor of the building. There is an elevator to help with accessibility needs. The staff is always professional and courteous (however I am not sure if this is the staff at the establishment or event staff).

How had I never been in the Stutz building before this event?!…read more The car-factory-turned-arts-hub is unique for sure. The hundreds of rooms are rented by local artists and makers who use the space to elaborate on their art and/or host classes for the public. This event allows you to explore the whole plus. Add on the twinkle lights, fun crowd, and wine for an all-in-all great and funky evening. You can buy art, explore the interesting venue, or talk with local makers. Several of the artists also have classes throughout the year which is always interesting to learn more about. If you've never checked out this event, you definitely should to have your eyes opened to an artsy view into Indy!

Ok, how do you get into this place? I had that question for a long time but thanks to some Yelp…read morereviews and maps I finally figured it out. Here's my insight: This is for entering the complex from the south. There are two "alleys" that intersect each other at a right angle. The first alley is off Capitol close to 10th Street. It has an iron gateway which is easily identifiable. The other alley is off 10th Street. This one looks like it just dead ends into a garage door and it does, but that also where it intersects with the first alley. There's a small door next to the garage door which is the entrance. After entering you go through the door on the left to get to the main hallway. Wow that was a long way to explain entering the building, but once you know it's really simple. So... I went to the Holiday open house in December and it was amazing! The artists said the April one is even bigger but this was fantastic in its own right. There's 4 floors of artist, live music, food, and classic cars on display. If you enjoy attending First Friday gallery events this is a must try!