Nearly every Marion resident lives within a mile of Indian Creek, providing a unique opportunity to connect neighborhoods and other amenities, such as land-based trails, schools, parks, and other public spaces, to the creek, as part of larger community planning efforts. Building upon the vision outlined by Creekside Pride, this project aims to enhance recreation, support economic development, improve quality of life, while also working to build momentum around water quality and flood resiliency goals.

Project Goals

• Connect neighborhoods, public facilities, and community amenities, such as parks and trails, to Indian Creek.
• Improve water quality and flood resiliency.
• Enhance recreational opportunities throughout the Indian Creek corridor.
• Support economic development and improve quality of life.

Key Considerations

The Indian Creek Master Plan seeks to build upon previous community feedback and planning initiatives to create a clear path forward for the Indian Creek corridor.

Key themes to consider when providing feedback include:

• Recreational Amenities – Provide creek access for paddling, floating, and paddle boarding. Enhance connections to bike trail network, and expand opportunities for anglers.
• Connection to Nature + Existing Public Spaces – Create a soft trail network near, and along, Indian Creek. Provide fishing enhancements near the creek, build a fishing pond, expand opportunities for wading and exploring the creek, and provide connections to existing parks, schools, and community facilities.
• Educational Opportunities – Incorporate opportunities for environmental education, hands-on learning experiences, interpretive signage, and programming highlighting cultural, historical, and natural areas of significance.
• Habitat, Water Quality, and Flood Resiliency – Restore native habitat (prairie, pollinator, wetlands, oxbows) and incorporate green stormwater infrastructure, streambank restoration, and in-stream improvements to support water quality and flood resiliency goals.
• Other Improvements – Incorporate natural play features, picnic facilities, space for festivals and events, public art, and other amenities that help create a sense of place.

More information on previous City of Marion planning efforts can be found here.