What’s Up with the Cones?

If you’ve driven or walked through the neighborhood lately, you may have noticed large cones popping up at a handful of intersections. You might be wondering: What’s going on here?

TLDR: The cones you see around Little Flower are part of a temporary street safety test organized by the Neighborhood Association with DPW. They’re meant to prevent illegal parking near intersections, improve sightlines, and slow cars to keep kids and neighbors safe. The project runs until November 1, 2025, and your feedback will help decide what happens next:

Take the survey here

For those looking for more detailed information, here's the full rundown! ↓

Who put these cones here?

The Little Flower Neighborhood Association (LFNA) partnered with the Indianapolis Department of Public Works (DPW) to explore ways to make our streets safer—especially near the school and at intersections neighbors have flagged as dangerous. After DPW engineers created the design, LFNA was given a permit to install this temporary safety installation.

What is it?

The cones mark out an area that to temporarily test a street configuarion:

• Curb Extensions – These visually and physically narrow the street at intersections, which shortens crossing distances for pedestrians and slows down turning vehicles.

• Daylighting – This prevents cars from parking too close to the intersection, making it easier for drivers to see stop signs, cross-traffic, and people in crosswalks.

This is a temporary test project. Data is being collected before and after installation on:

• Illegal parking

• Vehicle speeds and time through intersections

• Stop sign compliance

Where are they installed?

LFNA applied for over a dozen intersections, but DPW narrowed the list to a few priority locations:

Near the school:

• Nowland & Bancroft

• Nowland & Riley

• 14th & Bosart

• 13th & Bosart

• ⚠️Nowland & Emerson (The installation was removed after resident raised safety concerns.)

For safety concerns:

• 13th & Gladstone

How long will this last?

The project runs through the fall and will be removed by November 1, 2025. In the meantime, LFNA and DPW will continue monitoring results and listening to resident feedback.

Why do this?

• Sightlines matter. Illegal parking near intersections makes it hard to see pedestrians, cross-traffic, or even stop signs.

• Most crashes happen at intersections. Narrower crossings and safer sightlines help prevent accidents.

• We can’t rely on constant enforcement. Infrastructure that makes safe behavior the default is more effective than hoping for police presence at all times.

• Neighbors are concerned. Reports of dangerous driving in Little Flower have been increasing, and residents have asked for action.

How can I get involved?

We want to hear from you!

• Take the one-minute survey: Share your feedback here

• Stay connected: Sign up for the LFNA newsletter for project updates and meeting invitations.

• Bring your ideas: Want to see a safety project near you? We’d love to help you lead one.

• Our own part to play: Drive at or below the speed limit, avoid distractions, and keep Little Flower safe for everyone.

A few extra notes:

• The project cost neighbors nothing—it was free to implement with support from our DPW & INDOH grants.

• The project team checks on the installation daily, and all feedback is being taken seriously.

• Thanks to a grant from the Indiana Department of Health, three new bike racks will be added during the project and later moved to where they’re most needed in the neighborhood.

• Please don’t move the cones—they’re part of a permitted project. (And it's technically illegal to do so.)

• If you arrive at an intersection with cones, pull up close to them to avoid blocking other cars.