CONVERSATIONS
Contents
Welcome to the conversation.
8
Since I began working with CCPR two decades ago, I’ve witnessed incredible strategic growth that has created many opportunities for transformative experiences for our department and our community.
We are proud to share with you this edition of Park Conversations where you’ll find a variety of stories of different forms of transformation from art, health, and teamwork to the changing seasons, an exciting plan for our parks’ future, and a volunteer who is offering support and change to projects wherever he lends a hand and his expertise. CCPR’s commitment to bringing art and nature together is showcased in the recent sculpture installation designed and created by renowned sculptor Dominic Benhura. After a long journey, “Bison and Calf” is at home near the west end of the lagoon in Central Park. The sculpture began as a large nondescript rock that was sculpted into a joyful vision of mother and child. It is perhaps the most visual reminder that building something from nothing takes true community and collaborative vision, creativity, and consistent effort — the foundations of transformation.
Regards,
Michael Klitzing, CPRE Director of Parks and Recreation/CEO
We encourage you to share your stories!
MCC
Fall
BISON AND CALF
THE JOURNEY
Global sculptor Dominic Benhura’s passion for family comes to life in Central Park.
Creativity, beauty and artistry can be found in our daily existence and the most exquisite and impactful art made from everyday materials. Most certainly, the quote “art is making something out of nothing” applies to the artistic vision of international sculptor Dominic Benhura when he chose the blank stone that would be transformed into Bison and Calf.
Carmel Clay Parks & Recreation (CCPR) is committed to promoting public art within the community and especially within our parks,” shares CCPR Director of Parks and Recreation/CEO Michael Klitzing.
The journey itself has its own story to tell even before it was carefully set in place alongside the lagoon in Central Park.
Choosing the American Bison
Benhura, who began creating with clay as a child and soon transitioned to sculpting stone, is globally known for his specialties in creating large-scale sculptures of animals. While zebras and other animals were considered for the installation, the conversation landed on the American Bison as an ideal subject for the sculpture. Historically, bison were found throughout Indiana and were an integral part of the state’s grassland landscape.
The Journey
Once the American Bison was chosen, Benhura began the search for the perfect stone that would ultimately become Bison and Calf.
“We initially chose a stone that was not large enough for what I was envisioning,” shares Benhura. “I finally found a stone in the mountains that I felt was right but there was no road to the area, so we first had to clear a path to the stone. I worked on the stone right in the mountains in the location I had found it. We eventually were able to roll it, wench it and move it to my studio.”
The sculpture is over 18,000 pounds and after two months of intricate sculpting work, lifesized Bison and Calf were ready to transport to the United States from Benhura’s studio in Zimbabwe and ultimately to Carmel, Indiana. Many companies would not accept the responsibility of transporting such a heavy piece of art, but challenges were met and overcome, and Bison and Calf arrived in Carmel in late July after a two-month-long journey via ocean and truck.
Mothers, Babies, Families, and the Community
Through Benhura’s research of the American Bison, he found many similarities to the African Water Buffalo. Both bison and buffalo are fiercely protective of their calves.
“My father died when I was just a baby and for much of my life, I was raised by my mother and aunts,” reflects Benhura. “My sculptures often include a mother and child and have no distinct
facial features making them universal and global in feel yet still full of joy, movement and life. Bison and Calf showcase a mother and child theme as well and I believe it reflects the family and community atmosphere of the natural park setting they are going to call home.”
When Bison and Calf arrived in late July, Benhura was joined by several local youth from the CCPR summer art camp to put finishing touches on the installation and to give the kids a hands-on experience doing some sculpting of their own.
“My hope is that the unique size and texture of Bison and Calf will cause visitors to stop for a moment to see and encourage family bonding between parents and children, and really any of us walking a path together,” Benhura says. “The American Bison is quite an animal full of strength, and I’m proud that I’ve been able to showcase that strength in the happy and joyful context of mother and child.”
ON THE M VE
Monon Community Center Member Roberto Liendo creates a healthy, flexible, and family friendly workout plan.
There is nothing routine about Monon Community Center (MCC) member Roberto Liendo’s workout plan. He doesn’t follow a strict daily or weekly pre-planned schedule but he’s certain to be doing one thing consistently — moving.
“In 2023, my girlfriend Ashley and our blended family moved to the Westfield area,” shared Liendo. “The physical move to Hamilton County offered so many options for a healthier lifestyle and one of the first things we did was sign up for a family membership to the MCC.”
Liendo shares that he has not always been committed to his health and wellness and has battled up-and-down weight through the years, as well as not making time to exercise or plan healthy meals. A health scare last fall propelled him to prioritize his well-being.
A Needed Change
“I was driving to work and realized something wasn’t quite right with my vision,” Liendo remembered. “By the time I got to work, I collapsed at my desk. After a few days of fluids and rest, they diagnosed that I had suffered a mini-stroke. I knew right then that I needed to make some changes – changes that would help me get on the right track to a healthier me.”
The right track led Liendo and his family to the MCC for everything from weightlifting together to walking and biking on the many trails to a new-found love of pickleball. His workout routine varies all the time but his commitment to doing something healthy every day is always his goal.
“When they say one place, one price, all access – that really is how we see the MCC,” Liendo said. “I may play pickleball one afternoon and the next day we are walking the dog for two miles and then taking a three-mile run on the Monon, all in the same day. If I’m moving every day in some way, I see positive results.”
Working Out – My Way
For many, strict workout goals and a set regimen that doesn’t vary is the way to stay accountable. Liendo thrives on the variety of ways he can keep moving and utilize all the MCC has to offer. He’s battled a deteriorating knee that hindered his running until a steady weight loss over the past months put less stress on his knee and allowed him to return to running with Ashley.
As a single dad, Liendo admitted that he hadn’t always had a healthy diet especially when often cooking for himself. He knew it was time to make a change and make better choices.
“I’ve lost about 60 pounds in the last year, and it has really made a change in my ability to do things that I’d not been able to do in the past,” Liendo reflected. “I am not fanatical about my diet but our whole family is more conscious of making healthy eating choices every day and we enjoy getting out together for any type of exercise.”
The MCC family membership has been a solid investment for our entire family continued Liendo. His daughter plays soccer and does
some weightlifting. He lifts weights and plays basketball with one of his sons, walks the dog and runs on the trails with another son, and he’s always running or walking with Ashley who is a longtime runner.
Transforming Health as A Way of Life
“It really is about moving,” Liendo reiterated. “The physical move allowed us to come together and put in place a healthier overall lifestyle and that involves moving our bodies every day. The physical changes have been visible but the focus on health has had a positive mental effect on my personal and career life as well.”
A flexible, hybrid workday has also helped Liendo find the time to work out and still be productive in his thriving and busy IT role. This workday flexibility led to a better work environment and the time to invest in himself.
“There used to be very little time in my day to be healthy,” Liendo declared. “Now, we make ‘healthy’ a priority as a lifestyle and not just for the short-term. I can’t say enough about how the MCC has given us the options we need to keep moving together and never get bored. There’s always a new class, a section of a trail we haven’t been on before, or a family trip to The Waterpark — it’s the ideal workout home base for our entire family.”
CHANGE AND TRANSFORMATION
Fall leaves and their vibrant colors play backdrop to incredible outdoor CCPR adventures.
A walk, run or bike ride along one of Carmel Clay Parks & Recreation’s (CCPR) many trails in fall is a beautiful and nature-filled expedition. You might even hear remnants of the famous song “Autumn Leaves” remade in the 1980s by Nat King Cole as the soundtrack to your journey… the falling leaves drift by the window – those autumn leaves of red and gold.
“Autumn is the season of change and transformation,” shared CCPR’s resident naturalist Karen LaMere. “As fall approaches, three things begin to affect the changing color we often start to see: leaf pigment, length of night and the weather. These changes signify the end of one season and the beginning of another. What’s wonderful about the shift into fall is the array of colors that are added to the outdoor landscape.”
As the fall season progresses and the leaves produce less chlorophyll due to shorter sunlight days shares LaMere, the true colors begin to show. There are three types of pigment that are involved in autumn leaf colors:
• Carotenoids — which produce yellow, orange and brown
• Anthocyanin — gives leaves different shades of red
• Chlorophyll — provides the green color in leaves and is used in photosynthesis
“The weather plays a significant role in the changing color of the leaves,” LaMere said. “Warm, sunny days and cool crisp nights bring about the best show of color. Unfortunately, freezing nights will diminish the show of color causing the fall season to be less vibrant.”
In search of great fall-into-winter seasonal change viewing? Some of the best colors can be seen near the Monon Community Center, West Park, River Heritage Park and Flowing Well Park.
Oak Red, Brown or Russet
The leaves aren’t the only indicators that summer has turned to fall and soon to winter.
“All summer long and into early autumn animals have been eating — and eating to put on enough of a fat layer to survive the approaching long days of winter,” shared LaMere. “Groundhogs are particularly chubby before they begin their hibernation in mid-October.”
Hickory
Golden Bronze
Dogwood
Purplish Red
Beech
Light Tan
Red Maple
Bright Red
Sugar Maple
Orangey Red
Black Maple
Glowing Yellow
Elm Brown
You may have noticed chipmunks and squirrels hurriedly gathering and burying acorns and nuts in early fall to stock up for the coming winter season. In addition, many bird species form large flocks before migrating to their wintering grounds in warmer places. Deer will fill up on nuts and berries and some of our insects will form a cocoon chrysalis for the winter and will emerge in the spring. Many insects die in the fall leaving only the adult female to find a good hibernating spot for the winter months.
“Our knee-high naturalist program that runs from September to December covers different topics related to the changing seasons,” LaMere offered. “There are fall programs for pre-schoolaged children to adults to learn about fall and its preparations for winter.”
Whether it’s a nature program or you’re out and about by yourself or with family and friends— the colors of fall in Indiana rarely disappoint!
NOVEMBER 2024
• Knee High Naturalist: Animals in Winter (Thursdays in November)
• My Park Series: Founders Park (November 7-Free)
• Take a Hike Day (November 17-Free)
DECEMBER 2024
• Owl Hooting at West Park (December 13)
WINTER 2025
• Nature Keepers Half-Day Winter Camp
• Sappy Saturday!
VISIT WWW.CARMELCLAYPARKS.COM/PROGRAM-OFFERINGS FOR MORE INFORMATION ON THESE PROGRAMS.
PARKS AND RECREATION
MASTER PLAN LOOKS TO THE FUTURE
Serving as a blueprint for parks and recreation in a thriving Carmel community
Carmel Clay Parks & Recreation (CCPR) is looking to the future as it puts the final touches on its 2025-2029 Parks and Recreation Master Plan. The comprehensive plan is the strategic vision for the department and establishes the goals and priorities over the next five years. This helps ensure that resources are used efficiently and effectively to meet the community’s needs.
“It’s the guiding document of the Department,” explains Kurtis Baumgartner, CCPR Assistant Director/Chief Operating Officer. “The planning process involved more community input than any plan we’ve ever developed, ensuring the needs and desires of residents are taken into consideration.”
The master plan is the culmination of several months of extensive community input. Research tools included a statistically valid survey, intercept surveys at parks and events, and meetings with focus groups including elected officials, Carmel Clay Schools, Carmel Dads’ Club, Carmel Mayor’s Youth Council, and Teen Library Council, to name a few. The responses were reviewed and analyzed to help the department craft a plan that reaches all populations, especially those not currently served by existing park resources.
The proposed 2025-2029 Master Plan focuses on four key recommendations: long-term funding, the White River corridor, west Carmel greenspace, and increased collaboration. These focus points underscore the CCPR mission.
“When you’re looking at the big picture, our overarching goal is to serve the parks and recreation needs of the community at the highest level possible, ensuring we are good stewards of the property we maintain as well as good stewards of the tax dollars we receive,” says Michael Klitzing, CCPR Director of Parks and Recreation/CEO.
LONG-TERM FUNDING
CCPR was founded in 1991 through an Interlocal Cooperation Agreement between the City of Carmel and Clay Township. Together these entities have worked for almost a quarter of a century to support parks and infrastructure. The Master Plan seeks to keep this momentum going through long-term funding options. CCPR is committed to working with elected officials to secure dedicated funding sources for future generations.
WHITE RIVER CORRIDOR
Surveys and other research revealed a growing desire to take advantage of the White River corridor, Carmel’s most significant natural resource. Work has already started on a pedestrian bridge connecting Hazel Landing Park to Heritage Park in Fishers. The Master Plan also emphasizes corridor expansion, including the White River Greenway north extension. The project includes extending the Greenway north to 146th Street as well as the construction of a river overlook, parking lot and year-round restrooms. Once complete, the White River Greenway will span over five miles in Carmel. Based on resident feedback, CCPR leaders will continue to look for ways to help residents take advantage of the White River, whether kayaking or canoing or simply enjoying the sights and sounds of nature.
“Since the inception of the park system in 1991, embracing the White River corridor has been a priority. With the recent development of the White River Vision Plan, celebrating the river is not only a priority in Carmel, but also the region,” Klitzing says.
WEST CARMEL GREENSPACE
Currently, Carmel has two parks west of Meridian Street, West Park and Bear Creek Park. The Master Plan envisions developing Bear Creek Park, a 27-acre plot at the corner of 146th Street and Shelbourne Road, which was acquired by the department in 2020. “Providing additional recreational experiences in northwest Carmel is a high priority for CCPR. We are excited to be one step closer to serving this underserved area of the community,” Klitzing says. Additionally, CCPR will continue to seek opportunities that could translate to future land acquisition in west Carmel.
ACHIEVING MORE THROUGH EFFECTIVE COLLABORATION
Ultimately, the Master Plan is about making life better for residents. Data compiled from community input suggests an interest in additional special events and expanding opportunities for senior programming. To help meet these needs, the department will examine the potential for collaboration with the City of Carmel and community partners.
In the coming months, CCPR leaders will meet with the parks board and local officials to finalize the 2025-2029 Master Plan. Once approved by the park board, the plan will be the foundation for the department. Every theme and guiding principle will become specific goals for park staff.
“For me, this is one of the most – if not the most –important planning tool for the management of CCPR,” Klitzing said. “This is not something that sits on a shelf. It’s something that guides everything we do. It’s something that becomes a living, breathing document that is implemented throughout the organization.”
SEA DRAGONS SWIM TEAM
Competition: Growing community, building confidence.
Searching for a positive and supportive teambuilding experience for your child? Carmel Clay Parks & Recreation’s (CCPR) Sea Dragons swim team might be just the answer. The team focuses on learning and improving basic swim skills while competing against other Hamilton County swim clubs in a fun and rewarding atmosphere.
Competition Meets Need
“We saw a need for a recreational swim team for young swimmers,” shared CCPR aquatics supervisor Alexandra Box. “Locally, there are intense programs that focus on the future professional swimmer, and there are neighborhood swim teams. There weren’t any opportunities for those youth who didn’t have neighborhood swim teams accessible to them but still wanted to enjoy competition.”
For over a decade, CCPR’s Sea Dragons swim team has been offering a fun, rec league for swimmers who want to meet new friends, experience the success of being part of a team, enjoy competition, and hone and improve their swim skills. The team boasts swimmers ages 5 through 14 who can swim the length of the pool unassisted.
“It’s been a privilege to coach Sea Dragons the last three years and motivate our swimmers to be their best while fostering a passion for the sport,” said current swim coach Richard Reinsch.
Swim Basics Lead to Future Sea Dragons
For most Sea Dragons, the love of water began by taking basic swim lessons at the Monon Community Center (MCC). Many of the team’s coaches and mentors are MCC aquatics swim instructors or CPR trained lifeguards who make great teachers first and foremost. They can spot potential team members and encourage all beginning swimmers to move to the next step with a community- and encouragement-based approach to competitive team swimming.
“I’ve often seen our Sea Dragons coaches and mentors in the water with the team swimmers working 1:1 with them to better their swimming skills,” added Box. “They are keeping it fun while pushing them to be the best they can be. While many of our coaches have the love of water and have a personal connection to swimming, the prerequisite for a coach isn’t always their own swimming experience but their ability to connect with the swimmers and be good listeners and teachers.”
Box shared that ultimately the goal is to teach survival skills in the water and to create safe swimmers. The team is a fun place to put those swim skills to work where swimmers make new friends and become part of a swim community. She also smiles and shares that there might be a ribbon or trophy along the way.
“I’d really love to see an army of 5-year-olds ready to dive in and begin competition when we start this winter season,” Box said. “The team is a wonderful place for young kids to enjoy swimming as a sport and to feel the joy of community and teamwork. As a priority, we want to help swimmers of all ages become confident in both their swimming and social skills.”
The Future
This past year, the Sea Dragons team averaged between 40 and 50 swimmers. Their outdoor season allowed team participants to travel and compete against nearby Hamilton County teams. The current indoor season, from September 4-December 11, has the MCC playing host to all meets and visiting teams.
TEAM DETAILS
SEA DRAGONS TEAM AGE RANGE: 5-14
SEASONS: Indoor and Outdoor
PREREQUISITE: Swim the length of the pool unassisted
PRACTICES: Monday and Wednesday
• Indoor season practices are in the evening
• Outdoor season practices are in the daytime
REGISTRATION: Opens December 1
INTERESTED COACHES: Contact Alexa Waldrip at awaldrip@carmelclayparks.com
Hamilton County has many options when it comes to competitive swim programs. As a former swimmer myself, it was important for our family to find a swim program that wouldn’t squash my children’s love for the pool. We have been a part of the Sea Dragons family for just over two years now and my kids (ages 8 and 10) love it and swim on the team in the summer and fall sessions.
With practices only twice a week, the Sea Dragons team provides them with a chance to see their friends, get a great workout, become a strong swimmer and maintain their excitement around being a part of a team. It allows our family to maintain a bit of home-life balance as well while avoiding burnout. I know firsthand that competitive swimming can cause burnout at a young age, so we were searching for a team atmosphere that was just right for our family.
The Sea Dragons team is such a great fit for us and is so much fun for my kids! They love displaying their ribbons in their rooms and we always look forward to the end of the season parties. If you are looking to get your kids on a team, get great exercise, improve stroke technique, be a strong swimmer when around water, and just have some fun, this is the team for you.”
SCAN TO REGISTER
– CASSIE CONFORTI, SEA DRAGONS SWIMMER PARENT
Citizen Science
A volunteer’s passion for park projects
Jim Bancroft doesn’t mind getting his feet wet for nature’s sake. Bancroft, 72, has been working as a Carmel Clay Parks & Recreation (CCPR) volunteer for almost five years, dedicating hundreds of hours to invasive species removal and citizen science projects like Bluebird Monitoring and Hoosier Riverwatch.
Hoosier Riverwatch is the project that takes him into the water at four different parks –Central Park, Flowing Well Park, Meadowlark Park and the future site of Bear Creek Park. There, Bancroft and other volunteers monitor the environment, including tree cover, undercut banks, and water flow velocity. They also check on what’s growing in the water such as macroinvertebrates, like mayflies and crayfish, that can indicate water quality.
“We go in with nets, turn over rocks and stir things up,” Bancroft said. “We bring what we find to shore and poke through it.”
Being outdoors fits right into Bancroft’s passion. He and his wife, Amy, have lived all over the country while Bancroft worked as a civil engineer. Their longest stint lasted about 30 years in Connecticut, where Bancroft led a local Boy Scout troop and spent plenty of time outdoors. Bancroft, an Eagle Scout himself, completed the Connecticut Master Naturalist program and volunteered with the Appalachian
Mountain Club in New Hampshire, leading hikes and working as an alpine steward.
Almost six years ago, Bancroft and his wife relocated to Carmel to be near their grown children and grandchildren who live nearby. Before moving, Bancroft began researching local volunteer opportunities. He enrolled in the Indiana Naturalist Program, which led him to CCPR’s volunteer program.
“I do a little bit of everything. I help them do weekly wrangles for invasive plants, and I’m the lead volunteer for a couple of citizen science programs,” Bancroft said.
While Bancroft tends to play down his volunteer impact, a quick look at his activities reveals his passion for park projects. When Bancroft arrived in Indiana, he reached out to CCPR to talk about bluebird nest boxes. The charismatic bluebird likes to nest in cavities. A tree branch isn’t enough – the bluebird wants to find a protective cavity to call home. Development has removed many of these natural cavities, but bluebirds are happy to use a manmade nesting box instead. When Bancroft arrived in Carmel, there were a handful of boxes in the area – now there are over 75.
“During the last couple of years, I’ve taught a class through CCPR. I’d tell them about the bluebirds and they would build a box to take home,” Bancroft said. “We always create some extra boxes for local parks.” Bancroft works with other citizen volunteers to monitor the nests and report egg hatching and hedging to Cornell University, which uses the statistics to study bluebird activities.
“Jim Bancroft is a wonderful person who puts 110 percent into his responsibilities as a volunteer and a leader with CCPR,” said Michael Allen, CCPR Parks & Natural Resources Director. “It’s very evident that other volunteers feel comfortable and assured when they work with Jim because his approach as a facilitator is not only knowledgeable but patient and allows folks time to learn and ask questions while getting hands-on with various stewardship initiatives.”
Volunteering gives Bancroft a chance to enjoy local camaraderie while pursuing his own passions. He doesn’t have much time to sit around in a recliner with the remote control in his hand, and that’s okay.
“It gets me outside,” Bancroft said. “It’s fun being outside with people of like interests, particularly with the Hoosier Riverwatch. I’ve always enjoyed bird watching, and bluebird monitoring goes along that line.”
VOLUNTEER WITH CARMEL CLAY PARKS!
To find out more about CCPR volunteer opportunities scan the QR code or visit www.carmelclayparks.com/volunteer.
CAPRA Q&A WITH KURTIS BAUMGARTNER, COO
At the National Recreation and Park Association (NRPA) annual conference in October, Carmel Clay Parks & Recreation (CCPR) proudly achieved CAPRA reaccreditation, a testament to our commitment to excellence.
To learn more about CAPRA, Kurtis Baumgartner, Assistant Director and Chief Operating Officer for CCPR explains the standards evaluated for accreditation.
Q:
What is
CAPRA?
The National Recreation and Park Association’s Commission for Accreditation of Park and Recreation Agencies (CAPRA) is a valuable measure of a department’s quality of operation, management, and service provided to the community. There are 154 standards that are evaluated across 10 areas, including agency role and responsibility; planning; organization and administration; human resources; financial management; programs and services; facility and land use; public safety; law enforcement and security; risk management; and evaluation and research. To achieve reaccreditation, an agency must comply with all 36 fundamental standards and 112 of the 118 (95%) non-fundamental standards.
Q: What does that mean to CCPR?
The focus of CAPRA is something we use to make sure that all divisions are operating with best practices. For CCPR, that means “beyond best practices” as we are setting goals above and beyond the basics that are in place to meet accreditation standards. We strive to operate in the most efficient and effective means that we can.
Q:
Can
you give an example of how these operational standards are used?
CAPRA helped us navigate the uncertainties of the COVID pandemic. Our policies and documentation were already aligned and up to date to prepare us in ways we hadn’t known would be needed. With solid infrastructure in place, we were able to create an in-depth operations plan that allowed us to react and be fluid as we navigated the unknowns of the pandemic.
Q: How does CAPRA translate to the broader community?
We work to be mindful of the taxpayer dollars while maintaining high standards from a collaborative perspective. Our department values public input and strives to make data driven decisions.
Q: What does this mean to CCPR day-to-day?
CCPR consistently evaluates how best to operate to achieve sustainability, from an environmental and financial perspective. Collectively, we continue to work hard to make the community we serve proud.