New Family in Mapleton-Fall Creek
Mapleton Fall Creek - Google Maps
When Austin, Hannelies, and their young son made the long trip from New York City to Indianapolis, the choice to live in an urban neighborhood was an easy one. “For the last 14 years I’ve lived in New York City,” Hannelies explains, “so I really wanted our son to continue experiencing city living and all the benefits of diversity and different cultures that come with that.”
The young family has only been in Indianapolis since August, but didn’t waste any time in investigating their new home. Hannelies is an Indiana native and a graduate of Butler University, but is, in a sense, getting to know the city all over again, expressing amazement at the downtown revitalization and the thriving pockets of culture. They eventually settled in Mapleton-Fall Creek, attracted by the beautiful, early twentieth-century homes, the central location, and the renewal of the community.
Austin and Hannelies talk about the development of Mapleton-Fall Creek with interest and enthusiasm. In just the few short months since they’ve arrived, they’ve seen everything from repaved sidewalks and the creation of a pocket park to the restoration of homes and new families joining the neighborhood. Austin adds:
“The thinking behind these parks is not just putting in a few swings and calling it a day; the thought behind the urban revitalization is not just doing the job, but doing it well and doing it right, thinking about the environment and longevity.”
The construction of the park also presented an opportunity for Austin and Hannelies to interact with people in the neighborhood by working alongside other volunteers like themselves. Community engagement is a priority for the young couple, and they welcomed the prospect of not only getting to know their neighbors, but also contributing to their community in a tangible way. Hannelies gestures as she says, “There’s something very exciting about looking out the window and thinking, ‘I planted that bush and those hydrangeas,’ and knowing that we’re not the only beneficiaries of that.”
Austin and Hannelies look forward to continuing to be a part of positive change in their community and welcoming newcomers to the available homes that dot their street, three of which sold over Thanksgiving. Austin notes that it’s wonderful to have neighbors “who are going to get involved, who are willing to help.” There is a sense of expectation and excitement between the two of them about the potential of their community. “We moved here,” Hannelies says, “to be part of the development of a city neighborhood that is moving forward—that is not stagnant but moving forward.”