MAY 2014
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communications@westfield.in.gov
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westfield.in.gov
IN THIS ISSUE • Biking in Westfield • Youth Assistance Program Recognition Breakfast • City of Westfield Mobile App • Grand Park Updates Pictured: Bike to School Day
LETTER FROM THE MAYOR As spring finally arrives in Westfield, you’ll notice more than flowers blooming out of the ground. Signs with our “Westfield: Where You Want to Be” logo will likely be springing up in areas near you in conjunction with road, roundabout and trail projects. Wherever you see them, you’ll know that the project being done was paid for by funds from the utility sale.
ELECTED OFFICIALS Andy Cook MAYOR
Cindy Gossard
CLERK TREASURER
Jim Ake
CITY COUNCIL PRESIDENT
Robert Horkay, Steve Hoover, Chuck Lehman, Bob Smith, Cindy L. Spoljaric, Robert Stokes CITY COUNCIL MEMBERS
STAFF Todd Burtron
CHIEF OF STAFF
Joel Rush
POLICE CHIEF
Joe Lyons FIRE CHIEF
Melody Jones
PARKS & RECREATION DIRECTOR
John Rogers
ENTERPRISE DIRECTOR
Matt Skelton
ECONOMIC & COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT DIRECTOR
Ken Alexander
PUBLIC WORKS DIRECTOR
Derrick Cash
INFORMATICS DIRECTOR
Erin Verplank
COMMUNICATIONS DIRECTOR
Some of our most popular projects will no doubt be resurfacing of roads that are full of potholes and in need of repair. Some of these will include Union Street, Carey Road and Greyhound Pass. We are also starting work on roundabouts. For a while, you’ve noticed “Coming Soon” signs at 156th and Spring Mill, 161st and Carey and 161st and Oak Ridge. Soon these will come down and work will begin on these important projects. We hope that this work will make getting out and about in Westfield a little easier for drivers. For trail users, we will be using utility funding to connect existing trail sections, such as Gaps on 161st Street from Oak Ridge Road to Spring Mill Road on the north side of the street, as well as connections on the Monon and Midland. All of this work will help keep Westfield a connected community with a high quality of life. And speaking of trails – be sure to get out there and enjoy them. As the weather warms up, there are lots of great opportunities for you to see for yourself why our trails system is one of the best in the State. At last count, we have 11.9896 miles of named trails which includes the Anna Kendall, Cool Creek, Cool Creek Park, Grand Junction, Little Eagle Creek, Midland Trace and Extension, Monon and Natalie Wheeler trails. All told, there are 70.6241 miles of existing trails in Washington Township – named and unnamed. These trails are a great way to get some exercise, and also allow you to see Westfield from something other than your car. I’d like to close by just reminding everyone that the grand opening for Grand Park will be the weekend of June 20th. Be sure to follow us on Facebook and Twitter, as well as GrandPark.org, for updates on what will be happening. You do not want to miss out on this event. It will be an historic occasion for Westfield. All the best,
GET IN THE LOOP!
CONNECT WITH WESTFIELD’S BIKE TRAILS Bicycling isn’t just a great way to stay active. It also offers a less expensive way to get around… not to mention it’s FUN! Last summer, the Parks Department mapped out seven bike loops and two beginner lanes for the community to enjoy. Loops are based on the level of difficulty, and help link city neighborhoods, parks, schools and other community destinations, as well as help bicyclists determine a safe route. Whether you’re a pro biker or a beginner, there are some great opportunities for you to get out there and enjoy the ride! Westfield even has biking events for all ages to enjoy. One upcoming community event is Bike to School Day. Westfield Parks & Recreation is partnering with participating schools including Monon Trail Elementary, Oak Trace Elementary, and Washington Woods Elementary to host the second annual Bike to School Day on Wednesday, May 7th. Robin Lynch, principal at Oak Trace Elementary, recalls last year’s Bike to School Day success. “It was great to see half of our building, around 300 students, riding bikes to school on a beautiful May morning last year! The kids, parents, and teachers all enjoyed the ride on the “What a great day for our great paths surrounding our school. It school, our community, and was a huge hit and celebration of the for biking in Westfield. sense of community we have in WestWe loved the teamwork field and at Oak Trace. We look forwith the City and local ward to participating again this year!” Ava Stewart, first-grader at Oak Trace businesses, and look forElementary, enjoyed participating in ward to this year’s event.” 2013. “I loved riding my bike to school! It was more fun riding bikes with my Scott Williams, principal of friends then riding the bus,” said Ava. Washington Woods For more information on this event, visit www.walkbiketoschool.org and click on “Find an event.” Westfield Parks will also be celebrating National Trails Day with a Bicycle Rodeo on Saturday, June 7th. This free community event starts at 10:00am at Quaker Park and welcomes families and all ages to bring their bicycle and helmet to learn about bike safety. Participants can ride through obstacle course stations, and kids have a chance to win a free bicycle! Informational sessions on Midland bike loops (see box at right) are very popular with bikers biking safety are offered by Carmel Cyclery at 10 a.m. and the Westfield Police Department at 11 a.m. There will also be a bike decoration station, so come ready to add some design to your bike, rain or shine!
Oak Trace students enjoy Bike to School Day 2013
WESTFIELD BIKE LOOPS Monon-Midland Outer Loop: • 7.5 miles • Difficulty: Family Little Eagle Creek Loop: • 14.7 miles • Difficulty: Expert Northwest Border Loop: • 33.3 miles • Difficulty: Expert Asa-Freedom Loop: • 3.5 miles • Difficulty: Family Midland-Cool Creek Loop: • 7.75 miles • Difficulty: Advanced Monon-Midland Inner Loop: • 7.4 miles • Difficulty: Advanced For more information on bike loops, including maps, please visit westfield.in.gov/parks/bikeloops Follow the Westfield Parks Department at facebook.com/CityofWestfieldParksRecreation and @westfieldparks on Twitter!
UPDATES WESTFIELD YOUTH ASSISTANCE PROGRAM RECOGNITION BREAKFAST Westfield Youth Assistance Program (WYAP) hosted its 4th Annual Youth Recognition Breakfast along with local community businesses on April 23rd, 2014. During the event, the Mayor emphasized, “Our students are such a big part of what Westfield is and what Westfield will be.”
PERSONAL ACHIEVEMENT AWARD RECIPIENTS
WYAP strives to build a healthy community for tomorrow by extending a helping hand to the youth of today through family assistance tutoring, counseling and mentoring. This event honored 14 of Westfield’s youth with Personal Achievement Awards. Recipients of the awards were Stephanie Camacho, Dacota Cecil, Trinity Centeno, Cassidie Deason, April Durrett, Ryan FauntLeRoy, Mark Kaleimamahu, John Michael Labellarte, Hunter Lancaster, Lauren Long, Cora Maine, Jacob McKinney, Eyler Smiley, and Kyle White. These extraordinary youths were recognized for their perseverance to succeed and abilities to rise above to overcome their own personal obstacles.
CITY OF WESTFIELD MOBILE APP! Exciting news! The City of Westfield will be releasing a mobile City app in early May. Available for iOS and Android devices, the app will feature Chamber business listings, direct links to Grand Park and the City website and an updated City calendar. The app also features push notifications that will be used for important City announcements such as necessary traffic updates.
EXCITING GRAND PARK UPDATES! The Grand Park Grand Opening is approaching! Be sure to be at Grand Park June 20-22nd for a fantastic time including fireworks, food and entertainment. Details to come. Also, make sure you check out the newly redesigned Grand Park website at www. grandpark.org. The new site features a full event calendar, news, area information and more!
PAINT-A-STORY RACECARS Saturday, May 17th from 121pm. Come join us with your 2-6 year old and get in the racing spirit with a story and craft! We will have reading time and paint a pottery Indy Race Car. All paints and supplies will be provided. To register for this program, go online to www.westfield.in.gov/parks and click on “programs & events” or call (317) 804-3183.
PRESORT STANDARD U.S. POSTAGE PAID
130 Penn St., Westfield, IN 46074
CALENDAR OF EVENTS
MAY 5 & 19 • Advisory Plan Commission Meeting 7:00 pm, Westfield City Hall, Assembly Room
MAY 7 • Bike to School Day Participating Elementary Schools
MAY 10 & 24 • Heart and Soul Free Clinic 9:00 am - 12:00 pm, 202 Penn Street
MAY 12 • City Council Meeting 7:00 pm, Westfield City Hall, Assembly Room
MAY 13 • Board of Zoning Appeals Meeting (cancelled) 7:00 pm, Westfield City Hall, Assembly Room
MAY 17 • Community Plant Day 10:00 am, Quaker Park
MAY 26 • Memorial Day City Offices CLOSED