The Indianapolis Parks Foundation will purchase the 22.6 acre parcel of land at 7400 Acton Road, shown here in an aerial view, for $565,225. The land, which was once part of the historic Acton Campground will be turned into a park. Photo courtesy of the Indianapolis Parks Foundation.

A historic property at the corner of Southport and Acton roads will be preserved thanks to a large corporate donation to the Indianapolis Parks Foundation.

The group announced Tuesday, September 7 that the parent company of Indianapolis Power and Light, AES, donated $1.1 million to purchase the new parkland in Franklin Township, and another property in Warren Township.

The gift will allow the IPF to acquire 22.6 acres of land that were once part of the historic Acton Campground, which operated from 1859 to 1905. The parcel at 7400 Acton Road is partially wooded with a small creek and rolling meadow.

The IPF will pay $565,225 for the land - about $26,509 per acre. Another $34,775 will be used to establish a maintenance endowment for the property. In 1859 the founders of the Acton Campground were said to have paid $35 for each of the first 20 acres.

There are no specific plans for the park as of yet. According to the IPF, Indy Parks will conduct a "master planning process" with community residents to determine what recreational features are needed in the area.

The input from public meetings will be used to develop a master plan for the park. The process could take three to five years, according to Indy Parks' Principal Planner Michael Krosschell.

The IPF began looking in June for ways to purchase the acreage in Acton. The owner, Virginia Askern of California, agreed to sell the property if 75 percent of the purchase price could be raised by the end of December. The goal was met Tuesday, with the largest gift ever to the Indianapolis Parks Foundation by a single private donor.

The 22.6 acres at the corner of Acton and Southport roads is partially wooded, with a small stream and meadows. Indianapolis Parks Foundation officials say the land has a variety of potnetial recreational uses, but no specific plans have been made. Photo courtesy of the Indianapolis Parks Foundation.

"AES has been impressed by the city of Indianapolis and the quality of life it offers.," AES President and CEO Paul Hanrahan said. "We were moved to make this unusual donation after visiting your city and on the advice of our people who live right here in this community and are proud to call it home."

The new park will bolster Franklin Township's parkland inventory, which lags behind most of Marion County. The township ranks second only to Perry Township as the most underserved area of the county in terms of park acreage per capita. According to the 2004 Indianapolis-Marion County Park, Recreation and Open Space Plan, published by Indy Parks and Recreation, Franklin Township has just 296 acres of parkland -- 2.5 percent of Marion County's total inventory.

"This generous gift is an opportunity for our community to enjoy new parks in areas where more parks are needed," Indianapolis Mayor Bart Peterson said.

He said the new parks will make the city more enjoyable for everyone.

Officials at the IPF say the gift will benefit the community in other ways, too.

"Preserving green space not only enhances recreational opportunities, it also fosters a sense of community, contributes to a healthier environment and healthier individuals, connects people and nature and benefits the economy," IPF Executive Director Cindy Porteous said.

- FTONEWS.com -