By Halteman Village Neighborhood Association—
$30,000 goal to receive a matching grant through IHCDA’s CreatINg Places initiative
Muncie, IN– Muncie residents may soon be able to enjoy a new park if a new crowdfunding campaign reaches its $30,000 fundraising goal by April 6. If successful, the Indiana Housing and Community Development Authority (IHCDA) will provide a matching grant as part of its CreatINg Places program.
“Parks assist in connecting people and creating a greater sense of community,” said Lt. Gov. Suzanne Crouch. “They are incredibly valuable to residents and neighborhoods. We look forward to working alongside the Halteman Village Neighborhood Association, Ball State University, and the City of Muncie on this exciting new project.”
The funds raised will be used to transform the former private Halteman Swim Club Site into a public park, paying special attention to introducing new playground equipment into the space which will be available to all the people of Muncie.
“The effort, which is spearheaded by the Halteman Village Neighborhood Association and the City of Muncie, has been a multi-year initiative centered on turning a blighted, vacant and tax delinquent property into a neighborhood and community asset. This campaign is part of a larger renovation to create the new Halteman Park, a multi asset gathering/greenspace for the people of Muncie,” said J.P. Hall, current President of HVNA.
“We have held multiple meetings, convinced the City of Muncie to retain ownership of the parcel, have orchestrated community visioning sessions, partnered with the College of Architecture and Planning at Ball State University and have started to fundraise to transform the site into a public park that all can be proud of. We are ready to put all of our planning into action,” Hall added.
The CreatINg Places program began in 2016, and projects have raised in excess of $4.5 million in public funds and an additional $3.7 million in matching IHCDA funds.
The CreatINg Places 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 raises $5,000 through Patronicity. IHCDA will provide matching grant funds up to $50,000 per project.
For more information, visit HVNA’s website at halteman.org, or write halteman47304@gmail.com
