CHARLESTOWN — A crowdfunding project for $50,000 to build a pocket park on the City Square in Charlestown has started.
If the city can raise the money by Jan. 25, 2025, the city will receive a matching grant from the Indiana Housing and Community Development Authority’s CreatINg Places program.
The park will be along Short Street and will have seating with an innovative architectural design for everyone to enjoy.
This will help enhance the City Square as a central hub for events, fairs throughout the year and Charlestown’s largest tourism draw, Charlestown Christmas City.
“We’re excited to kick-start this fundraising opportunity to help us build a beautiful addition to our city square,” said City of Charlestown Mayor Treva Hodges. “Jennings Plaza is a place where we keep our small-town vibe alive through a variety of community events and adding this parklet will help us be more creative in how we engage with residents and visitors.”
“Many Hoosiers are facing a loneliness epidemic. Creating welcoming public spaces where individuals of all ages can gather is crucial to a community’s health and quality of life,” said Lt. Gov. Suzanne Crouch, Indiana’s Secretary of Agriculture and Rural Development. “This project illustrates how small spaces can have tremendous impact and become a point of pride for the community.”
Charlestown was one of 13 rural Indiana entities to participate in a Rural Placemaking Studio initiative through Indiana University. The comprehensive design aims to enhance Charlestown while offering subtle nods to its history.
“Partnering with the City of Charlestown on their upcoming pocket park has been a fulfilling and exciting experience,” said Nicole Vasconi, the Quality of Place Liaison for the Center for Rural Engagement.
“The passion and care shown by the city employees and local residents is inspiring and their vision has provided a unique learning opportunity for our students to get real-world experience. They have the challenge and drive to see it through, and we have the team who can meet that challenge, so it’s been a win for everyone involved.”
DA Inc., a manufacturing company located in Charlestown, made the first donation to the project, pledging $10,000. The donation was part of the company’s 35-year celebration of business in the city.
Since the CreatINg Places program began in 2016, projects have raised more than $11.8 million in public funds and an additional $10.1 million in matching IHCDA funds. The program is available to projects located in Indiana communities. Non-profit entities (with 501c3 or 501c4 status) and local units of government are eligible to apply.
Eligible projects must have a minimum total development cost of $10,000, where the recipient will receive $5,000 in IHCDA matching funds should it successfully raise $5,000 through Patronicity. IHCDA will provide matching grant funds up to $50,000 per project.
