by Bailey Shelton | photos by Adam Grubb Media
A COMMUNITY SPACE BUILT TO LAST ALONG THE NICKEL PLATE TRAIL
Craftsmanship connects a space directly to the culture of a community, and often only a skilled hand is up to the task.
Ben Driskell, owner of FLATMADE Concrete Co., is particularly connected to Delaware Township, the area off of IN-37 between Fishers and Noblesville. This is a hometown for Driskell, and his family has been involved with the township for over 20 years. This close tie to the community, combined with FLATMADE’s reputation for excellence, made the decision easy for Meyer Najem as they awarded contracts for a new park development attached to the Delaware Township Community Center.
“In working with Ben, I noticed he’s very passionate about what he does,” says Micah Reid, job superintendent of Meyer Najem. Reid oversaw the day-to-day of the community center project.
The park surrounding the community center acts as a gateway to the Nickel Plate trailhead, a heritage trail leading into Fishers’ Nickel Plate district, marking the former path of a rail line by the same name. The vision for this area included permanent installation of concrete Ping-Pong tables, permanent swing sets that mimic wood but are far more durable to Indiana’s changing weather, and custom stamped sidewalks to resemble railroad tracks.
“Every time FLATMADE would come onto the project, their people were very professional,” says Reid. “Sometimes we needed to get some things done that weren’t necessarily on their list, and Ben did a good job of stepping up and filling in the gaps where we needed.”
“The biggest part that stands out to me personally is the railroad tracks that lead you into the space. Ben and his team have done a great job designing that, working with our architects, making sure that we can see that vision come to reality,” says Jordan Webber, senior project manager at Meyer Najem.
For other concrete companies, this would be a tall order. The skill required to craft unique pieces like the ping-pong tables from concrete include patience, a steady hand, and an eye for detail. FLATMADE employed a customized stamp process for this project— a mixture of finish and textures transform concrete into the wooden railroad ties, smooth metal rails, and the gravel ballast underneath.
“The actual stamps were handcrafted in our shop for a true one-of-a-kind pattern you won’t find anywhere else,” says Driskell.
“What it took to get those ping-pong tables done was a very large undertaking,” says Reid. “As far as how it blends in with the landscape, I think once people start to experience it and use it, it’ll be a very good asset to the park.”
The space officially opened to the public this spring, and already is a mainstay of the community. What was once undeveloped land is now a gateway to the trailhead, and a durable gathering ground for locals to enjoy.
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15290 Allisonville Road
Noblesville, Indiana 46060
