Indy Parks director Brittany Crone's best day ever
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As the director of Indianapolis Parks and Recreation, Brittany Crone is leading a multiyear, multimillion-dollar effort to improve facilities across the city.
Why it matters: The Circle City native, who took the reins in June after serving as director of community outreach in the mayor's office, believes improving parks is an essential part of improving overall health throughout Marion County.
What she's saying: "I'm incredibly grateful and humbled to see how much love that our park system gets from the public, and the way that our team has worked to meet the need and the expectation," she said. "I believe this city has some incredible potential, and I get to see the way that plays out right here in our parks department."
Zoom in: While discussing her vision for Indy Parks in 2026 and beyond, we asked Crone how she would spend her ideal day in Indianapolis.
🐦 Morning activity: Before breakfast, Crone would take a moment to connect to our city's waterways — which she considers Indy's best kept secret — with a trip to Eagle Creek bird sanctuary.
- "There's nothing more recentering than hearing just the wind and the birds and the water," she said. "That's my happy place."
☕ Breakfast: "From there, I would make my way to the best breakfast in the city at Tea's Me Cafe," she said. "Owned by the great, the one-and-only, Tamika Catchings ... It's always friendly, like a warm hug, walking in there."
🚲 Afternoon activity: Biking along the White River, and then cruising through spots like Broad Ripple Park, Holliday Park or Riverside.
🍲 Lunch: "On my best day ever, lunch would include my husband and my daughter … probably somewhere on the circle," she said. "Subito is great, and I love our local spots and supporting our businesses here."
🍔 Dinner: "Aroma Indian Cuisine. Underrated and perhaps under-discovered," she said. "And then, honestly, the best burger I've ever had in my life at Commission Row."
🚣 Evening activity: Back on the bikes, taking in the sights with a ride along the canal.
- "I always find my way back to the water," she said.