Ron Carter knew something was unusual was going on at the Sept. 21 Carmel Farmers Market when he saw several city officials and employees gathering.
The Carmel Farmers Market founder and longtime city council member said he was “flabbergasted” when he learned the reason for their visit: to rename the spot where they were assembled from Center Green to Carter’s Green.
“I don’t think it’s sunk in yet,” Carter said Sept. 24. “It was as much as shock as I’ve ever had in my life.”
The honor came during the second-to-last market of the summer season. Carter, who will be leaving elected office at the end of the year after 24 years on the city council, said he intends to continue serving in a leadership role with the market.
Carter said Center Green – the open space to the south of the Palladium – has been an important place throughout his years on the city council. He served on the Carmel Redevelopment Commission as it worked to improve the surrounding area and was instrumental in moving the farmers market there. It also became home to the Carmel Christkindlmarkt beginning in 2017.
Carter said the fact that Carter’s Green is right next to the Monon Trail is meaningful, as well. Carter was a founding member of the Monon Greenway Committee.
“The Monon was really my first big thing in Carmel, and so to have that honor in the heart of the city makes me feel very glad, very proud,” he said.
Although Carter was shocked by the honor at the farmers market, he said his wife, Barb, found it a relief.
“Barb had known for a month,” he said. “She said that Saturday night was the first time she had slept well in that month, because she didn’t have to worry about me finding out.”
