Lafayette Judging, June 25 & 26, 2008
Lafayette In Bloom judges Matt Rosen and Julie Riley arrived on Wednesday, June 25th and began a whirlwind tour of the city of Lafayette in a limo donated by Hippensteel Funeral Home. Our afternoon began with informative tours of the Journal and Courier production facility and Subaru of Indiana Automotive featuring their zero – landfill process. A drive past the mix of modern architecture and historical preservation of the Ivy Tech campus and a quick stop at CAT Park to show the community partnership with a local business kept the judges busy with notes and questions. On our way to Columbian Park we passed the planting medians on US 52 and a quick drive through the Murdock park area. A train ride through Columbian Park and Zoo with Urban Forester Belinda Kiger, was a fun diversion prior to meeting city, corporate and neighborhood leaders at a public reception in Rush Pavilion. A welcome from Mayor Roswarski was followed by a thank you from CATF Chair Tena Woenker and finally a few words from the Judges. They were eager to talk to people and see more of the city.
Back out on the road we toured the homes around the Columbian Park area and wound our way toward the city center. A special stop in the 9th Street Hill Neighborhood found the judges being welcomed in ‘Hiller Style’ by neighborhood leaders tossing purple petals and offering refreshing beverages. Neighbors on the hill joined us as we talked about the History of the Hill and the formation of Neighborhood Associations in Lafayette. The group was off again to venture further into downtown through the newly formed Valley Center Neighborhood and past Fowler House and the Tippecanoe County Historical Museum. Next the limo stopped at the 11th and Main Trolley Stop where the judges and guides strolled Main Street to enjoy the historic architecture. Bistro 501 provided a relaxing and enjoyable dinner break where the judges were kept entertained by Old Lafayette author and historian Bob Kriebel.
Our after dinner tour was filled with historic architecture in the north downtown neighborhoods where we were greeted with enthusiasm by business owner Jane Ausman-Mudawar of Jane’s Gourmet. Waiting for us to arrive and flagging us into her parking area, Jane had set up a fun display of purple PVC sculpture, flags and garden ornaments. After a small toast of purple beverages we hit the road again to browse the Centennial neighborhood. With greetings from Michael and Phyllis Hunt as we passed their home the committee decided that the lateness of the day would make it necessary to tour the area again the following day. We ended the quiet but contented ride back to the Hotel with expectations of the following day.
Thursday, the day began at The Hour Time for breakfast and a tour of the east neighborhoods including McCaw and Munger parks. Heading north we passed the new Greenbush road improvements with planting medians and into the older north neighborhoods. A short tour through the city Adopt a Tree program and the Monon Monument ended with a drive down North 9th street towards the Municipal Golf Course. After a discussion of turf maintenance and programs with Superintendent of Parks Ted Bumbleburg, we headed back into the city center through Centennial Neighborhood and Park with a stop at 11th and Main again. Following a quick stop for coffee at KDees we boarded the Trolley with City Bus representative John Metzinger who talked about the environmental efforts of the public transportation system in Lafayette and Tippecanoe County. We stopped briefly to take a photo of the judges at the renovated Lafayette Theater and its marquee announcing America In Bloom.
We exited the Trolley at Riehle Plaza and the Big Four Depot where we were greeted by Stan Lambert of the Wabash River Enhancement Corporation. Stan gave a thorough presentation on the history and proposed sustainable riverfront development effort to enhance the local environment. Purdue student projects for the riverfront plans were also on display. Stan then led us out onto the beautifully landscaped pedestrian bridge where the judges could view the river and note the connection to West Lafayette.
Back in the limo and on the road to points south we passed the City Wastewater tunnel project and the Shamrock Dog Park. Next we stopped at the renovated and innovative Wastewater Treatment plant to learn about municipal plans with director Brad Talley. After a brief tour we again went south to see the 2008 Arbor Day tree planting on Twyckenham Boulevard and on to Armstrong Park. Forester Belinda Kiger joined us again to show the linear trail areas and discuss the design of Armstrong Park’s detention and retention ponds. Following a lively lunch discussion with the Mayor, members of the CATF, and other City staff we headed through the south neighborhoods, past Adopt A spots on Teal Road and back out to the hotel for an afternoon break. This was perfectly timed-the judges arrived at their hotel just in time for an afternoon downpour.
A visit to Indiana’s longest running Farmers’ Market was highlighted with the Riverboat Ramblers Dixieland Band, though the rain deterred the usual visitors. The rain passed as we had dinner at Red Seven with City leadership and State Representative Klinker before an enjoyable concert by the Lafayette Citizens Band. The highlight of the evening was Lafayette Mayor Roswarski and City Council, as well as Representative Klinker entertaining us singing their rendition of Back Home In Indiana with the Citizen’s Band.
Covering a total of 275 miles in approximately 12 driving hours, our tour ‘engineer’ Phil Fisher made this an enjoyable and carefree excursion through Lafayette. Our transportation, meals and events were all contributed by corporate sponsors and were overwhelmed with support from business owners, residents and community leaders. Somehow in all this excitement, we managed to cover about 80% of the city and learned a tremendous amount from a variety of tour guides. In all, it was a delightful experience getting to know the judges too, who took our busy schedule with great humor.