Haughville Strong: Neighborhood Unites to Revitalize Local Park

Hauvhville Strong: Neighborhood Unites to Revitalize Local Park

In the wake of a deadly triple shooting at Haughville Park just one year ago, the community came together to take control and revitalize their neighborhood. On Tuesday, a group of twenty community leaders, residents, and IMPD officers rolled up their sleeves and got to work, cleaning up trash like bottles and plastic bags in the 103-year-old park.

IMPD Lieutenant Calyton Portell has seen his share of violence: “When there’s a rise in crime like that it makes it so community members don’t want to step outside. They’re so scared to step outside or get involved. This is just a way to say, ‘We’re going to take back the community.’”

Pastor Douglas Tate Jr. of Psalm’s Church, who has lived in the neighborhood for 65 years, was on hand to help: “This is my home for 65 years, and so whenever it needs something done, we want to try to be available.”

Indiana Math and Science Academy Principal Wynsda Watson, who will be opening a school in the neighborhood soon, also joined the effort: “It’s important that we’re out here to support anyway we can. Something as simple as picking up trash. Who knew that it would make such a big impact? The area looks so beautiful today.”

Elder resident Audrey Turner, who has lived in the area for 42 years and seen Haughville go through a transition, was beaming with pride: “It feels good at my age. It feels really good because I’m able to bend over and do my thing,” she said.

Turner noted that a clean park is what makes Haughville strong: “I’ve lived here when it was bad. I have seen some bad stuff. It’s much, much better.”

The community's efforts didn't go unnoticed. On Wednesday, Haughville will host a community day in the revitalized park from 4:30 p.m. to 7 p.m., featuring food, bounce houses, and bike giveaways.