Indianapolis

May 27, 2021

Indianapolis

I love Indianapolis, of course I have the natural hometown pride for the city that I was born and raised in, but there was a time some thirty years ago when the city seemed so confining and mostly boring with a few exceptions like the month of May each year and the Indy 500. It seemed pedestrian and dull, not much going on and not much prospect for much change going forward. 

Key West had an exotic allure and a world unlike anything I had really experienced. Island living was exciting and new and the ocean was beautiful and opportunity seemed possible. It turns out that I was mostly right as far as the excitement and possibility of Key West, it has proven to be an amazing life and full of wonderful experiences. But I can’t help to believe that my former opinion of my hometown was flawed.

I have returned at least once a year every year since departing Indianapolis and each time I return it just seems to get better and better. I often wonder if the Indianapolis of today existed thirty years ago if I ever would have left. The arts, music, food and entertainment scene have gotten better and better and each year there is seemingly a plethora of new and interesting places to go and things to do, I have come to love and appreciate the city more in my absence than I ever did while I actually lived there and now, I can’t wait to get back every year.

As the city has grown and matured, the pains associated with many big cities have grown accordingly and now the crime rate is really high and the murder rate is through the roof. Gang life and drugs have their grip on large sections of the city and issues that plague urban areas are still prevalent but there is still a whole lot to love about the city and I try to take advantage of those things every time I visit.

The largest city and capital of the state of Indiana, Indianapolis is the 17^th most populous state in the US and features a wonderful mix of cultural and entertaining things to do. One of the things that I like to do when I am in town is to visit the Indianapolis Zoo at Whiteriver Park.  The beautiful AZA accredited zoo features 3,800 animals from 320 species. It features a large aquarium and a botanical garden as well.

When I was a child ,the zoo was a much smaller affair located on East Washington Street in George Washington Park but by 1987 the zoo had outgrown its old and dated site and a new location at the White River State Park was constructed that opened in 1988.  The current zoo is much larger has better and more modern facilities for the animals and has switched its focus to conservation in a big way.

I know in my heart that I should not support zoos and aquariums, but I just love going to see the animals and it was the exposure through the zoo that gave me the love of animals that makes me support so many non-profits working to protect them in the wild.

I also visited the beautiful natural setting at the Fort Harrison State Park on the eastside of Indianapolis. Located next to and encompassing part of the training facility at what was once a huge army base, Ft. Harrison State Park provides a beautiful natural setting that is easily accessible for the city dwellers who call Indianapolis home. I like it because it features a verdant deciduous forest that at its best during May and June. Green and thriving, it is a perfect place for a respite from the city and I absolutely love going there.

https://www.indianapoliszoo.com/

https://www.in.gov/dnr/state-parks/parks-lakes/fort-harrison-state-park/