An Indy south side park, formerly Bethel Park, now honors leader and mentor Stanley Strader

South side Indianapolis community members applaud Monday, Jan. 15, 2024, during a press conference at Stanley Strader Park Family Center highlighting recent renovations from Citizens Energy Group’s Sharing The Dream service project and the park’s name change that was made in 2023.

Indianapolis Mayor Joe Hogsett presents Monday, Jan. 15, 2024, a city proclamation to Diana Strader in honor of her late husband, Stanley Strader, during a press conference highlighting recent renovations from Citizens Energy Group’s Sharing The Dream service project and the park’s name change that was made in 2023. Strader was a leader and advocate for the south side of Indianapolis and served 12 years on the City-County Council. "So now, therefore, I, Indy Mayor Joe, do hereby proudly proclaim January 15, 2024, as not just the Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King Jr Day, but it's also Stanley Strader Park Day in the city," he said.

Valerie Miller watches as Indiana Attorney General Todd Rokita places a pin Monday, Jan. 15, 2024, on the jacket of her son, Chandler Miller, 9, after a press conference at Stanley Strader Park Family Center highlighting recent renovations from Citizens Energy Group’s Sharing The Dream service project and the park’s name change that was made in 2023.

Derrick Miller, manager of Stanley Strader Park, speaks Monday, Jan. 15, 2024, during a press conference highlighting recent renovations from Citizens Energy Group’s Sharing The Dream service project and the park’s name change that was made in 2023. Strader was a leader and advocate for the south side of Indianapolis and served 12 years on the City County Council.

Indianapolis Mayor Joe Hogsett presents Monday, Jan. 15, 2024, a city proclamation to Diana Strader in honor of her late husband, Stanley Strader, during a press conference highlighting recent renovations from Citizens Energy Group’s Sharing The Dream service project and the park’s name change that was made in 2023. Strader was a leader and advocate for the south side of Indianapolis and served 12 years on the City County Council.

Indianapolis Mayor Joe Hogsett gets a hug Monday, Jan. 15, 2024, from Kenneth Strader, brother of the late Stanley Strader, a south side mentor, leader and longtime City-County councilman, after a press conference highlighting recent renovations from Citizens Energy Group’s Sharing The Dream service project and the park’s name change that was made in 2023. Stanley was a leader and advocate for the south side of Indianapolis and served 12 years on the City County Council.

Indianapolis Mayor Joe Hogsett presents Monday, Jan. 15, 2024, a city proclamation to Diana Strader in honor of her late husband, Stanley Strader, during a press conference highlighting recent renovations from Citizens Energy Group’s Sharing The Dream service project and the park’s name change that was made in 2023. Strader was a leader and advocate for the south side of Indianapolis and served 12 years on the City County Council.

Terry Gingles Sr. speaks Monday, Jan. 15, 2024, at Stanley Strader Park Family Center during a press conference highlighting recent renovations from Citizens Energy Group’s Sharing The Dream service project and the park’s name change that was made in 2023. Strader was a leader and advocate for the south side of Indianapolis and served 12 years on the City County Council. Gingles and other south side residents were instrumental in the renaming of the park, previously Bethel Park, in 2023.

Indianapolis City-County Councilor Frank Mascari speaks Monday, Jan. 15, 2024, at Stanley Strader Park Family Center during a press conference highlighting recent renovations from Citizens Energy Group’s Sharing The Dream service project and the park’s name change that was made in 2023. Strader was a leader and advocate for the south side of Indianapolis and served 12 years on the City County Council.

Kenneth Strader looks at a city proclamation Monday, Jan. 15, 2024, alongside his sister-in-law Dianna, wife of the late Stanley Strader, in honor of his brother.

Jeffrey Harrison, Citizens Energy Group president and CEO, speaks Monday, Jan. 15, 2024, at Stanley Strader Park Family Center during a press conference highlighting recent renovations from Citizens Energy Group’s Sharing The Dream service project and the park’s name change that was made in 2023. Strader was a leader and advocate for the south side of Indianapolis and served 12 years on the City County Council.

Indianapolis Mayor Joe Hogsett , Diana Strader and family, and community members present pose Monday, Jan. 15, 2024, for a photo at Stanley Strader Park Family Center after a press conference highlighting recent renovations from Citizens Energy Group’s Sharing The Dream service project and the park’s name change that was made in 2023.

Diana Strader walks back to her seat Monday, Jan. 15, 2024, after thanking the community members present, the City of Indianapolis and the Parks and Recreation board for their help in honoring her late husband, Stanley Strader.

Indianapolis Mayor Joe Hogsett presents Monday, Jan. 15, 2024, a city proclamation to Diana Strader in honor of her late husband, Stanley Strader, during a press conference highlighting recent renovations from Citizens Energy Group’s Sharing The Dream service project and the park’s name change that was made in 2023. Strader was a leader and advocate for the south side of Indianapolis and served 12 years on the City County Council.

Phyllis Boyd, chair of the Indy Parks and Recreation board, speaks Monday, Jan. 15, 2024, at Stanley Strader Park Family Center during a press conference highlighting recent renovations from Citizens Energy Group’s Sharing The Dream service project and the park’s name change that was made in 2023. Strader was a leader and advocate for the south side of Indianapolis and served 12 years on the City County Council.