Indy Parks JTV Hill Family Center

Location: Indianapolis, IN

For decades, the JTV Hill Family Center has been more than just a building—it has been a place where community is built, where young athletes find mentorship, and where a historic legacy continues to shape the future. But after its last renovation in the 1990s, the space no longer supported the people who used it most. It lacked accessibility, safety, and the operational flow that PAL officers and staff needed to truly serve the kids who walk through its doors every day.

With this renovation, Synthesis set out to do more than upgrade a facility—we worked to restore its purpose.

A Space That Supports Its People

PAL (Police Athletics League) officers—who run the athletic leagues in the building—once struggled to maintain visibility in the space. Our redesign reconfigured the layout to provide clear sightlines into hallways, the gym, and even the outdoors, making it safer and easier to connect with the kids who fill this space every day.

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Access for All

A community center should welcome everyone. Before, the gym’s ramp was not ADA-compliant, and restrooms lacked proper partitions. We redesigned the gym entrance, installed an ADA-compliant ramp, and upgraded every restroom to provide both privacy and dignity for all users. Outside, a new entry ramp ensures that every visitor can enter with ease.

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Honoring the Past, Designing for the Future

At the heart of the community room stands a mural of Mr. JTV Hill, the first Black attorney to pass the bar in Indiana—an advocate for youth and athletics. Preserving this mural was essential, but so was ensuring that the rest of the design reflected the heritage and identity of the community.

Adinkra-inspired patterns—symbolizing strength and perseverance—are woven into design elements. Bronze accents nod to hammered metalwork, tying into the rich visual history of African craftsmanship. A carefully chosen color palette bridges the building’s past and present, complementing the original mural while incorporating IndyParks' identity.

A Place to Grow
Beyond aesthetics, this renovation ensures the center functions better for those who rely on it. New LED lighting brightens the space, while expanded storage areas create much-needed room for programming. Even the flooring was selected with care—walk-off carpet tile in a windmill pattern helps keep the space cleaner by reducing dirt tracked in from outside.

This renovation isn’t just about new materials or better infrastructure. It’s about restoring a place of belonging, mentorship, and movement. A space where history, community, and design come together—so that every child who steps onto the gym floor, every officer who leads a team, and every member of the neighborhood feels seen, supported, and at home.