Greenwood, IN

Greenwood, Indiana, is a thriving suburb of Indianapolis with a population of about 46,000. The population of Greenwood has increased roughly 24 percent since 2000, and business and retail ventures have expanded along with it. Greenwood is largely a bedroom community; aside from retail options, most people go to Indianapolis, which is 12 miles away, for entertainment and cultural activities. Greenwood offers a high quality of living along with a lower-than-average crime rate. The cost of living is low relative to the national average, which makes for a comfortable standard of living.

ECONOMY AND INDUSTRIES

Greenwood is part of an economic power corridor in the region and is fortunate to have a diverse economic base. Major job sectors include manufacturing, technology, education and health care. Major employers in Greenwood include:

• Endress + Hauser Inc.
• United Natural Foods
• Nachi Technology
• Aldi Inc.

Because of the slowdown in the national economy, growth in Greenwood has slowed almost to a standstill. Two high-profile projects were canceled or postponed in 2008: Kobra Properties, a property developer that was in the process of upgrading Greenwood's former Alpine Electronics building to create office buildings, retail stores and warehouses, declared bankruptcy, and now the future of the project is indefinitely on hold; earlier in the year, national outdoor retailer Cabela indefinitely postponed plans to open a new warehouse in Greenwood because it could not get financing in the tightened economy.

NEIGHBORHOODS AND DISTRICTS

Greenwood boasts a wide variety of neighborhoods, from crowded, almost urban centers to newer, decidedly suburban areas with new subdivisions:

• Old Town: This downtown commerce district features many National Historic Register buildings, but it has long been in decline. Recent efforts at revitalizing the area have hit a roadblock: City officials want to raze many of the historic buildings to make way for new development, while conservationists vehemently protest such a plan.
• Waterloo/El Dorado: This typical suburban neighborhood features newer, mostly single-family homes and is populated by families with children.
• Smith Valley: As Greenwood has expanded westward, new neighborhoods, including Smith Valley, have cropped up; unsurprising, most of the houses in this area are new.
• Frances: This neighborhood west of downtown Greenwood is fairly dense, with a mixture of houses, townhomes and apartment buildings.
• McCarty: This eclectic neighborhood is just west of downtown Greenwood and is home to mostly young singles who appreciate the affordability offered by the location.
• Spring Hill: Located just west and south of Greenwood Park Mall, this neighborhood has a funky vibe and urban feel and is home to mostly younger single people.
• Hendricks: Bisected by State Road 135, this neighborhood is home to many families with children; the homes themselves are on the newer side, although the area does contain a few historic homes.

SHOPPING

Like many suburbs, Greenwood offers a plethora of smaller strip malls and shopping plazas, but the city's main shopping destination is the Greenwood Park Mall, which includes more than 120 specialty shops, department stores, a food court and many outlying restaurants and stores.

FAMILY FUN

Because of its proximity to Indianapolis, many residents of Greenwood take advantage of the state capital's diversity of cultural and entertainment options; however, Greenwood is not void of interesting attractions:

• Farmers Market: During all but the coldest months, the Greenwood Farmers Market offers fresh, locally grown produce, flowers, herbs, honey and other locally produced goods.
• Bouncertown: This family-friendly venue is filled with giant inflatable structures that children can climb, slide down and, of course, bounce on.
• Greenwood Community Band: This all-volunteer band offers free concerts throughout the year at various locations in Greenwood and Indianapolis.

FOR VISITORS

Greenwood boasts an impressive park system, with 14 different parks and municipal facilities such as a city pool:

• Children's Garden Park: This two-acre park features an ornamental fountain, kid-friendly landscaping, and children's artwork.
• Old City Park: A football field, two tennis courts, horseshoe courts, barbecue grills and play areas are among the facilities available in this downtown park.
• Summerfield Park: This park offers a BMX biking area, softball field, soccer field and basketball court to use during the summer; in the winter months, the park is a popular place for cross-country skiing.
• Northwest Park: This park offers paved nature trails, playgrounds and picnic areas; just to the west is the Northwest Park Annex, which has paved trails and areas for cross-country skiing.
• Northeast Park: A dedicated skate facility is the highlight of this park, which also contains various sports fields and courts.

EVENTS

Each year, Greenwood hosts the Greenwood Freedom Festival, a one-day event that features a parade, food vendors, a street fair, concerts and live entertainment, children's activities and fireworks.