Broad Ripple Village Association

Broad Ripple Village Association

What's In A Name?

Broad Ripple. Early 1800s travelers knew it as a spot in the White River where the water ran shallow over the rocks, making ripples that indicated this broad stretch of land was a good place to cross.

Jacob Coil laid claim to that natural identity in 1837 when he named his new community on the north side of the Indiana Central Canal “Broad Ripple.” At about the same time, James and Adam Nelson platted their new settlement — Wellington — south of the Canal.

The two communities competed for almost 50 years, with Wellington gradually losing ground. In 1884 competition turned to cooperation when the towns merged and incorporated as Broad Ripple.

A new and improved community
Like many Indiana towns in the late 1800s, Broad Ripple enjoyed a short-lived gas boom. But along with prosperity it suffered a debilitating gas explosion, the collapse of a train bridge and devastating floods and fires.

Despite these hardships, in the first decades of the 20th century, Broad Ripple’s pastoral setting became a haven for city folk who built summer getaways in the area. Indianapolis annexed the town in 1922, citifying this country retreat.

The Great White Park

Imitating the 1893 Chicago World’s Fair, whose midway was called the White City, Broad Ripple’s White City Amusement Park opened in 1906. It had state-of-the art mechanical rides and entertainment, and within a couple years, it also had a brand-new 4-acre swimming pool. Tragically, the entire park burned to the ground the day before the pool opened, costing the owners an estimated $160,000 in uninsured losses.
Within a few years, however, the park and pool were under new ownership and back in full swing. Before his fame as Tarzan, Johnny Weissmuller was an Olympics candidate competing in the White City Amusement Park pool in hopes of qualifying for the 1924 games. He did.

Looking for something different?

Step into Broad Ripple Village. Take in live music, go for a friendly game of darts or billiards, or tear up the dance floor. This is the place for a night out with friends. Browse for East Coast to emerging fashions, vintage clothing and eclectic wares. Whatever you choose, Broad Ripple Village is pedestrian-friendly and ready for you to discover.

Stop to shop

• Chelsea’s features stationery and gifts from Vera Wang, Kate Spade and other trendsetters.
• The new Urban Optiks showcases the latest trends in eyewear.
• French Pharmacie, a premier fashion boutique, caters to sophisticated shoppers with European-style couture classics.
• Marigold Contemporary Clothing is the place to find rich colors and bold patterns.
• Go to Dinwiddie’s for quirky clothing, furniture and accessories.
• Honeysuckle Home offers home furnishings and accessories.

Just for kids

• Several boutiques cater to babies, including Bébé Gâté and Girly Chic Boutique.

Art experience

• Art lovers will adore Broad Ripple Village’s selection of works by local and nationally known artisans, plus vintage furniture and collectibles.
• You’ll find the perfect piece at the Broad Ripple Art Fair in May.
• The Indianapolis Art Center is “the place to make art, see art and talk about art.”
• Districtwide gallery tours in May and September provide a perfect opportunity to discover all that’s offered.

Taste bud temptations

American, Cajun, Chinese, French, Indian, Italian, Japanese, Mediterranean, Mexican, Thai and nearly every other international cuisine await you in Broad Ripple Village. The area is peppered with quaint restaurants, cozy pubs and ethnic eateries. Several new establishments have joined the scene, including:
• Petite Chou
• Perk Up Coffee Shop
• Hoghead’s BBQ
• Mug Shots Café • Canal Bistro and Mediterranean Grill
• La Piedad Mexican
• Brothers Bar & Grill

It’s great outdoors
• Broad Ripple Village provides runners, walkers and bikers two ideal starting points: the Monon Trail and the historic Central Canal towpath. Sign up for the annual Ripple Effect 4-Mile Run/Walk on September 6.
• Adventurous types can rent kayaks and sporting gear from Rusted Moon Outfitters to explore the White River. Head to the Indianapolis Art Center’s Efroymson Riverfront Garden and Canoe Launch, which provides public access to the White River.
• Broad Ripple Park, once the site of a huge amusement park, offers programs, swimming and activities for all ages, plus a dog park.
• Residents’ pride and investment in the Village is evident in the tidy streets, well-preserved architecture and hospitable owner-operated businesses. Get a closer look during the annual Broad Ripple Historic Home Tour, this year on Sept. 26.

The Heart of Art

Broad Ripple Art Fair

People have flocked to the Broad Ripple Art Fair every spring for the past 38 years to peruse and purchase art from local, national and international artists. Proceeds support Indianapolis Art Center programs. In addition to world-class art, the fair features live entertainment, gourmet food courts, a wine and beer garden and a kids’ creative area.

ARTSPARK

Breaking the mold of traditional art museums, ARTSPARK combines the art of nature and the nature of art. This 12-acre landscaping masterpiece on the grounds of the Indianapolis Art Center features dozens of sculptures by Hoosier artists and internationally known sculptors. Ever-changing sensory and creative opportunities invite visitors to unleash the artist within. The daily ARTSPARK experience is free, with a full slate of additional concerts, festivals, films, workshops, youth camps and art classes. Visit online: www.IndplsArtCenter.org

Pedestrian art

Intriguing murals created by local aerosol artists enhance the Monon Trail’s Broad Ripple stretch, and a mural at 902 Westfield Blvd. showcases the village’s unique identity. Tim Ryan’s Implication of Three greets visitors on College Avenue. Soon the Village will be dotted with functional art as artist-designed recycling containers are installed.

Eclectic neighborhoods

Broad Ripple Village’s architectural timeline starts in 1886, when its first residential subdivision was platted. The area wasn’t considered fully developed until the 1940s. Today, the addition of new townhouses, condominiums and businesses continues to flavor the landscape. Whatever your favorite architectural period, you’ll find it in Broad Ripple. Spot more art: www.indygreenways.org/monon/monon.htm

Email us
brva@mybroadripple.com

Links

Broad Ripple Farmers Market
The Broad Ripple Gazette
Broad Ripple High School
Broad Ripple History
Broad Ripple Kiwanis
Broad Ripple Park
Indianapolis Art Center
Monon Trail

About our association

Broad Ripple Village Association Information

The Broad Ripple Village Association is a nonprofit corporation founded in 1969.  Now in its 41st year of serving the community, it is composed primarily of residents and businesses within the northside Indianapolis neighborhood known as Broad Ripple.  

The official boundaries of the area are Kessler Boulevard East Drive on the south, North Meridian Street on the west, the meandering White River on the north, and North Evanston Avenue on the east. Individuals and organizations outside the official area who are interested in the well-being of Broad Ripple may also participate in the activities of the association.

The affairs of the organization are managed by an elected Board of Directors. The Board elects the officers, referred to as the Executive Committee, which include a President, Vice President, Secretary, and Treasurer. Professionals providing legal counsel and financial advice are appointed by the Board of Directors.

The operations of the Association are carried out by various committees that report their activities to the Board of Directors for information and action.

An Executive Director, hired by the Broad Ripple Village Association, works as a liaison between the Board, the committees, the community, and the City of Indianapolis.

Become A Member

The Broad Ripple Village Association is open to anyone who is interested in supporting the activities of the organization. A member does not have to be a merchant in or resident of Broad Ripple Village to join. The Association welcomes the participation of all who wish to help in making the neighborhood a good place to live, work, play, or visit.

A quarterly public meeting is held on the third Tuesday of January, April, July and October, which anyone is welcome to attend. Reports by officers and committees are given, and an open forum of community sharing is conducted. Meetings are generally held in the Indianapolis Art Center, located at 820 E. 67th Street. at 7:00 p.m.

The committees of the Broad Ripple Village Association meet according to the needs of their particular focus. Committees with ongoing concerns, like the Land Use and Development Committee, meet regularly, while other committees associated with special events, like the Spring and Fall Art Gallery Tours, or the Labor Day weekend Ripple Effect 4-Mile Run, may meet only seasonally.

For additional information, phone or write to:

Broad Ripple Village Association
6311 Westfield Boulevard
Indianapolis, IN 46220-1789  
317.251.BRVA (2782)

Email us
brva@mybroadripple.com

Links

Broad Ripple Village