The original item was published from July 21, 2017 9:06 AM to July 21, 2017 9:07 AM
Charged with maintaining 114 ball fields, 62 athletic fields and over 1.5 miles of trails throughout our community, Fishers Department of Public Works (DPW) noticed there were gaps in communication between their team and residents heading to use Fishers’ fields. That’s when an idea struck.
Sean O’Grady, Assistant Director of Fishers’ DPW had an idea to create a digital portal that would visually indicate the status of fields throughout Fishers.
“Up until that idea, we’d typically post status updates from our Twitter account in an Excel spreadsheet,” explained O’Grady. “I hated that it wasn’t visually appealing, and assumed most people scrolled right past the Tweet. I had an idea to create a platform that would be easily accessible and visually show residents field statuses in real time.”
O’Grady teamed up with the City’s GIS Consultant, Melissa Brenneman, who helped build the platform. Not only will the software provide weather-related updates, but it is easy to share ensuring that users have easily accessible information, at their fingertips. Colors of green (clear for use) and red (field closed) will indicate status. The tool has also been vetted through HSE S.P.O.R.T.S. and other youth sports leagues in Fishers.
“The SPORTS member leagues are very excited about the new field closure app/tool,” stated HSE S.P.O.R.T.S. Executive Director, Lynda Carlino. “Several of the leagues have been testing it and have been very happy with it, it is very user-friendly and timely! We are all looking forward to it going live!”
The platform is accessible online from a website, mobile device or tablet, any time. Users are also encouraged to follow
@FishersFields on Twitter for updates, as they’re available. Bookmark the page now at
www.Fishers.in.us/FieldStatus.