In the spirit of two great events that arrive this week -- the first day of spring and St. Patrick's Day -- I offer these bits of positivity.

(Article item 3/3)  The tough economy and the city's budget woes have raised questions about how much Indianapolis can spend on parks. In these tough times, the city is fortunate to have Stuart Lowry as the director of Indy Parks and Recreation. The energetic Lowry has a deep understanding of city budget issues and a passion for the importance of parks.

As he gave me a tour of city parks last week, Lowry insisted the system can be improved and expanded despite the current fiscal situation. The key is finding new revenue streams, including sponsorships and money-generating facilities, such as a new cross-country course that will attract fee-paying competitions. Lowry, who spends his days talking about the need to improve Indy Parks, also is pushing to increase the amount of money raised through contributions.

At times like these, cities need innovative leaders. Lowry fits that definition.