Broad Ripple's Flower Alley

As I was putting together the photos of the murals in Mannheim yesterday (see An Ancient Town and a Modern City) , I was reminded of a lovely street in Indianapolis that I visited a few years ago.  The general area is called Broad Ripple, a neighborhood I knew well from many visits during my childhood to enjoy the large park, favorite restaurants, paths along the canal, and interesting shops.  The specific street I refer to is near Broad Ripple center and adjacent to the Monon Line, a rail line that has been repurposed for recreation.  The street has been dubbed "Flower Alley," based on a series of murals that have been painted on private homes.  I was delighted by the murals but also fascinated at the idea of a large number of private homeowners banding together and collectively deciding to embark on such a project.  I find big public works projects, like the murals in Mannheim, lovely and inspiring, but the private/collective initiative in Broad Ripple that resulted in Flower Alley is really extraordinary.  I don't know of any other examples like it.  I would love to learn more about how the initiation, process, and execution, but, really, I'm just happy that I was able to see it and that many others are able to enjoy it.  











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