After the Floodwaters Recede, a Park is Born

Indiana cities are taking advantage of a program that allows the Department of Homeland Security to purchase flood-prone properties. One such purchase will lead to the development of a pocket park.

In Indianapolis, the Division of Homeland Security has been awarded over $200,000 to acquire flood-prone properties in the city.

Senior Coordinator Elia James says the funds were awarded through a hazard mitigation grant program to purchase five flood-damaged properties along Fall Creek Drive. The land includes one home and four vacant lots.

James says the owner of the home, David Bowers, voluntarily agreed to sell the land, the deeds of which will be given to the city of Lawrence who will demolish the house and turn the land into a pocket park for easy access to Fall Creek. Lawrence is located about 12 miles from Indianapolis.

Bowers said the high flood risk made selling his Fall Creek property difficult. It had been in his in-laws' family for decades; his wife, Barbara Carson, died about eight years ago.

''I just loved the idea of it becoming a park. It will keep people from getting hurt,'' Bowers said. ''I think my wife would really be excited about it if she was still alive.''

While cities like Fort Wayne have similar, larger programs, Indianapolis hasn't used the program to buy properties since the late 1980's. James says the Marion County Mitigation Planning Committee will consider expanding the current program.

James says the entire process to buy these properties took over two years from the time the homeowner contacted the Division of Homeland Security to the announcement of the funds being awarded.