2025 Sargent Road Association Year-End Reports
LAND USE: SRA was founded based on a need for area residents to advocate to prevent unwise development that would adversely impact the natural character of the valley and the quality of life for existing residents. Since 1993, this advocacy has successfully protected our beloved valley.
Accordingly, we actively monitor applications for zoning variances or changes of designation. If you have questions or concerns about a notice you received from a property owner who has submitted a petition for a property near your home, please contact us.
For non-compliance with zoning regulations: if neighborly efforts have not succeeded in addressing your concerns and you feel there may be a violation of zoning statutes, you can contact the Mayor’s Action Center (317.327.4622), District 4 City County Councilor, Nick Roberts (Nicholas.Roberts@indy.gov), or us at the above location on our website.
Especially in the event of an issue affecting multiple property owners, we are happy to become involved at your request.
There were only minor issues, and the SRA Board took no formal actions regarding zoning issues in 2025..
INFRASTRUCTURE: The main infrastructure issue continues to be the poor condition of Sargent Road.
Sargent Road Drainage and Resurfacing Project reached its 60% completion stage, and a public meeting was held on September 10th at Geist Christian Church with members of the Indy DPW. The design presented had significant changes from the initial plan and reflects input from area residents. Information from that meeting was emailed to people on our email list.
Primary goals of the drainage improvements include replacing culverts based on size and condition, minimizing road overtopping, intercepting stormwater before it reaches the road where possible, and improving culvert outlet conditions.
Regarding the road surface: the plan calls for Sargent Road to be treated with 3.5 inches of asphalt milling and resurfacing, except in areas where culverts will be replaced, new curbs and gutters will be installed, or where underlying pavement has failed, in which case full-depth asphalt patching will be done.
In some areas, there is a requirement to relocate utilities, remove trees, and relocate mailboxes. Also, land acquisition of portions of road frontage for ROW, both temporary and permanent, will directly affect some landowners. A member of the project’s ROW services team will be contacting owners directly. Some owners have not been contacted, as this is a work in progress.
The project is estimated to cost $14M and is divided into phases. Phase 1 spans from Fall Creek Rd through the 82nd St intersection, beginning in Q1 2027 and going through Q3 2028, with a budget of $7M. It includes creating a crosswalk at 82nd Street to facilitate access to the Sargent Road Nature Park. Phase 2, north of 82nd St to 96th St, has not yet been funded. Phase 2 timing will be officially announced later, but is currently projected for spring 2028 through fall 2029.
Construction schedules are contingent upon available funding, utility relocation, land acquisition, and permitting. There will be select road closures with local traffic only during construction periods.
Questions can be directed to Public Information Officer: Harrison Rice, Email: Harrison.Rice@indy.gov, Ph 317-914-4662.
LITTERBUSTERS: There is a never-ending need to address careless acts of leaving trash and other items on the roadside. SRA volunteers' efforts are well known to residents and visitors who appreciate the well-loved appearance of our road.
Litterbusters volunteers continued in 2025 with the Sargent Road Association’s best volunteer opportunity of the year, the annual Spring Cleanup on April 26th. Litterbusters removed over 950 pounds of trash from the roadside, and once again, we received KIB highest recognition for being litter-free!
After a successful trial in 2024, we expanded our impact again this year by coordinating with and supporting neighboring areas to clean up the entire 82nd St stretch from I-69 to Fall Creek Rd., and by getting DPW to perform a double pass of street sweeping!
We also started a new tradition by hosting a luncheon at the Nature House for all volunteers following the cleanup.
THANK YOU, VOLUNTEERS!!!
It is noteworthy that we continue to benefit from the support of Keep Indianapolis Beautiful, Inc., which provides supplies and a dumpster for the annual cleanup.
· We’re still the longest official KIB “block” in Indianapolis, at 3.7 miles!
Your SRA membership supports this program, paying for additional supplies and safety patrols during the organized cleanup. Thank you for being an SRA member!
We also continue to depend on you to volunteer, so please keep an eye out for the April date (to be announced in late winter 2026, as soon as we confirm a dumpster is available).
If you haven’t done so before, consider joining your neighbors for this day of cleanup for the Sargent Road Area. Year after year, it is reported to be a favorite volunteer experience and a chance to meet neighbors. In the meantime, if you see a litter issue that you are unable to address (for any reason), or would like to join us in our efforts, please contact us or visit the LitterBusters Page.
S.T.O.P.: oad Association has supported a Sponsored Traffic Officer Patrols (S.T.O.P.) program since its first pilot in 2016. S.T.O.P. is a contracted service that provides licensed police officers focused on traffic violations, who act with legal authority to give warnings and tickets.
SRA sponsorship for the patrols is necessary because the city lacks sufficient officer-hours to perform them. Their presence is intended to help make the road safer by enforcing traffic ordinances.
The SRA Board, with membership support, contracts for specific weeks and designates general patrol areas, but has no other input into the police work performed by our contractor, Geist Patrol.
Monthly reports are posted on our website.
2025 S.T.O.P. Data:
Patrols 12 were contracted in “blocks” of 1 week, each having 2 shifts of 3 hours each (6 hours). The cost in 2025 was $50 per hour ($150 per shift, $300 per block). The patrols took place on Sargent Road and the 82nd Street intersection.
· Cost was $3,600 for 84 hours of patrols
· Traffic stops were performed 1.75 per hour of patrolling
· Average top speeds on Sargent Rd were 58 MPH (63 MPH on 82nd St)
· Misc. tickets include: Driving without a license, Driving with cell phone in hand
Members voted to spend up to $4,200 from the general fund to support 16 S.T.O.P. Blocks in 2026. Of course, Targeted Donations from individuals may increase that amount. Monthly reports will continue to be posted here.
BEAUTIFICATION: Over the past 8 years, the Sargent Road Association has supported volunteers (part a group calling themselves the 82nd St Crew) who have contributed their time to beautification projects in the area year-round, with a focus on the intersection of Sargent Road and 82nd St. We now recognize this as a core service to the community.
· Mowing and trimming occur approximately every two weeks through the warm season.
· Landscaping, including over 100 annual flowering plants.
· Additional removal of litter and illegal signs
In the future, there are discussions of more that can be done at this intersection in the heart of the community. With a new crosswalk coming to improve access to the Sargent Road Nature park, additional landscaping, and possible street or retaining-wall murals may be added.
THANK YOU, 82nd St Crew!!!
SARGENT ROAD NATURE HOUSE: SRNH is a 4.66-acre property located at 7851 Sargent Road, purchased by the Sargent Road Association in 2021. Community input guided the development of the concept:
· Long-term home for the SRA and our sister organization, the Mud Creek Conservancy.
· Enhanced functions of both organizations and related events.
· Conserve the land and expand the Sargent Road Nature Park’s trail network.
· Provide programming relevant to the community, especially nature-themed education.
The SRNH Project is a stand-alone project financed separately from the SRA general
fund with donations from the community and through our partnership with the MCC. We also wish to recognize the volunteers who give of their time and expertise to help meet property management needs.
In the past year, we completed the zoning change from “Residential” to ‘Nonprofit” (SU-7) status and made significant upgrades to the structure, including a new furnace and air conditioning unit.
Our Capital Campaign, launched in 2024, seeks to complete Phase 2 of the project: property improvements and payoff of the mortgage. We are excited to announce that the mortgage payoff is on schedule to be completed this fiscal year, and we will provide a projection for completing Phase 2 once this is accomplished.
We view our work as a continuation of the efforts of earlier generations to advocate and
act to protect and benefit the natural character and quality of life of the valley. We see
the SRNH Project as the undertaking of our generation. Please see our website or contact us for more information about the project and to donate.
Monthly Open Houses
The Sargent Road Association (SRA) continued its mission of fostering community connection and environmental stewardship throughout the year. In partnership with the Mud Creek Conservancy (MCC), we hosted a series of monthly open houses and hikes that brought neighbors together, encouraged new memberships, and strengthened our shared commitment to preserving the natural beauty of our area. The SRA and MCC coordinated open house hikes on the third Sunday of each month. These gatherings provided opportunities for neighbors to meet, enjoy refreshments, and experience the outdoors in a welcoming environment.
Dates of 2025 Open Houses:
· Sunday, January 19th
· Sunday, February 16th
· Sunday, March 16th
· Sunday, April 16th
· Sunday, May 18
· Sunday, June 15
· Sunday, July 20
· Sunday, August 17
· Sunday, September 21
· Sunday, October 19
· Sunday, November 16
· Sunday, December 21
Monthly hikes and open houses were generally well attended and contributed to cultivating interest in both organizations. The open houses proved to be a successful model for community engagement, with many participants expressing appreciation for the chance to connect with nature and neighbors alike.