The street parking around campus has largely been changed to parking by permit only, and during events the parking gets pretty crazy. We definitely are spoiled/committed to our cars like you say, but I don't think it is a stretch to say the parking situation on and around campus could use some attention.
I don’t think you can leave out the South Campus when counting “more” green space now, can you? Tried to challenge my thinking by going through all the spaces you listed—now and then (30-40 ago) HRC—not sure the tennis bubble/tennis courts before the HRC count as green space exactly. AV—somewhat true but the east side of the Bowl was a massive bleacher section running the length of the field so again is that green space? Fairbanks—true Irvington—a good chunk of that area was parking, not green. Lacy—true Schrott-true Parking garage—much of that area was already surface parking. Parking by Lilly/COPHS—somewhat true but was also parking. That gravel lot is temporary and will become green again. Pharmacy addition—was green space eaten up there? Was is it parking previously? New science—isn’t that essentially the same footprint, so no lost green space? West Campus—true on the parking lots. The rest of it though, including the farm, seems more like a park setting. Also the mall back in the day was primarily parking with a plain grass strip running down the center—much proved in appearance now. That mall (including the section in front of the Observatory) and the one entering from 46th Street will get major upgrades. There’s plenty of green space around campus for walking from building to building or just enjoying some nature. There’s really no reason to drop some in front of Hinkle just to say we did. Accessibility there is just too critical.
I didn’t have a car freshman year at Butler but absolutely needed one the rest of my time there. Campus is walkable. Everything else (shopping, places of employment, church, etc.) are not. I won’t go as far as to say Broad Ripple isn’t walkable because I’ve stumbled home more from there more than once with a Paco’s burrito and/or slice of pizza in hand(s). Sent from my iPhone using Butler Hoops mobile app
Only thing I miss about the road around the mall: It was the old chariot race course. Much better for spectating and the long turn at the north end was always an adventure. Sent from my iPad using Butler Hoops
Appreciate your added content to the list! Some fair points. I’m interested in what might happen in the Hinkle lot. I can see some park like settings, picnic tables, benches and such. Sent from my iPhone using Butler Hoops mobile app
Not sure if it’s been noted elsewhere, but in a recent Star story about Butler’s future, Danko mentioned the idea of a “plaza and hotel near Hinkle Fieldhouse.” Any thoughts or inside info? The International School site is an obvious possibility. Or maybe the old Lambda Chi? Sent from my iPad using Butler Hoops
Potential hotel is old Lambda Chi property as I recall. The plaza was in front of Hinkle. Uncertain the timeframe or if it will even happen. Sent from my iPhone using Butler Hoops mobile app
