In response to the Oct. 20 article “Windsor Village: signs of life,” describing a mortgage fraud scheme that led to 135 foreclosures in this already economically challenged neighborhood, I thought it worthy to share how something very devastating can turn out to be good for a neighborhood.

In 2006, the Indianapolis Parks Foundation in partnership with Indy Parks had launched a feasibility study to determine if the public wanted and needed a new family center at Windsor Village Park, a relatively small park built in 1953 to serve the densely populated neighborhood. At that time, Windsor Village Park was a small urban park with an overused and worn-down outdoor basketball court, outdated playground equipment, a small picnic shelter and a nondescript concrete block building that served as a community center.

Despite the disrepair of this park, it has historically been, and remains today, a cornerstone of the neighborhood. The decrepit condition of Windsor Village Park fueled a fire of perceived neglect in the neighborhood. The physical condition of this aging, much-loved park reflected the physical and spiritual condition of this densely populated neighborhood. The need for renovation and revitalization was great in both the park and the neighborhood.

So began the campaign for Windsor Village Park, a comprehensive neighborhood revitalization campaign, and thus Windsor Village Park became a catalyst for change and a model for future park developments — a model because the Indianapolis Parks Foundation became a champion for this project, convincing funders, elected officials and businesses that parks could have a dramatic impact and bring value and change to the area.

Today, through the generosity of local private philanthropy, Windsor Village Park includes a family center with an indoor gymnasium, computer lab, fitness center, game room and community room. Within the next few weeks the outdoor basketball court, walking trail and new playground will be installed. This happened because people from across our community stepped up. It takes residents, businesses and investors who believe that place matters.

Place is an economic and visual indicator of a community’s vitality. Without a sense of place, even an economically active community can fall victim to the common complaint that “there is no there there.” Successful community building cannot occur if there is an absence of a place that is meaningful to those who live there and respected by those outside its boundaries. Successful communities cannot occur without people who believe place matters.

The place for the families of the Windsor Village neighborhood is Windsor Village Park. And with 206 properties in Indy Parks, parks are the place that matters in countless other neighborhoods across Marion County. These new park amenities will expand the educational, recreational and social opportunities as well as provide fitness and health activities for the young people and families of Windsor Village and the surrounding neighborhoods.

I encourage all residents who believe in the value of parks and green space in our community to contact the Indianapolis Parks Foundation and ask how you can become a park champion and help build parks for life in Indianapolis.