Indy Parks Part 1: A Guide to Indianapolis' Regional Parks

Indianapolis, Indiana is home to over 100 city parks of various sizes and purposes. The handful of "regional parks" are large natural areas that allow Indianapolis residents to forget how close they are to the city. These scenic reserves are usually centered around lakes or rivers near or within the city. Indianapolis community parks are typically smaller and have facilities such as a nature center, family center, pool, or ball parks. Community parks are where Indianapolis residents go for swim lessons and baseball games. Finally, there are "neighborhood" or "mini" parks. These parks may be only as big as a block or two, but you can't turn a corner in Indianapolis without seeing one. These small simple green spaces offer picnic areas and playgrounds, a close convenient place to eat lunch or play with the kids after school.

In this three-part article series, we will explore each kind of Indianapolis' parks in more detail, beginning with the six regional parks: Eagle Creek, Garfield, Riverside, Sahm, Southeastway, and Southwestway.

Eagle Creek Park

Eagle Creek Park is the largest city park in Indianapolis, and one of the largest municipal parks in the country. The park boasts 1,400 acres of lake and river and 3,900 acres of land. Declared an Important Bird Area by the federal government, Eagle Creek Park has recently opened a new ornithology center, attracting avid birders from across the country. Weekly Sunday bird walks are a year-round occurrence. Eagle Creek Park is open from 7am to dusk every day, unless posted otherwise. Bikers and hikers can enter the park for $3. Vehicles get in for $5, and busses must pay $15. Eagle Creek Park is located northwest of Indianapolis, just outside the 465 loop, at 7840 West 56^th Street. The park office can be reached at 317-327-7110. The park office is open Monday - Friday from 8am - 5pm and closed Saturday and Sunday.

Garfield Park

Garfield Park has the distinction of being the oldest park in Indianapolis, established in 1881. On 136 acres, Garfield Park offers many programs and services to Indianapolis residents and visitors. The Conservatory and Sunken Gardens hosts tours and environmental education field trips. The Arts Center often hosts free music concerts and art galleries. In the summer, the Burrello Family Center is open Monday - Thursday from 9am - 8pm, Friday from 9am - 7pm, and Saturday from 10am - 4pm. During the off-season, the family center hours are Monday 9am-9pm, Tuesday and Thursday 10am - 9pm, Wednesday and Friday 9am - 8pm, and Saturday 10am - 4pm. Garfield Park is located south of downtown Indianapolis at 2345 Pagoda Drive. The park office can be reached at 317-327-7220.

Riverside Park

The home of the original city zoo, Riverside Park was founded on 6 miles of land along the White River. Today it is home to a seasonal aquatics center and a great many sports facilities, utilized by local sports leagues. Riverside Park is located just north of downtown Indianapolis at 2420 East Riverside Drive. Call the park office at 317-327-7171. The park office is open Monday - Thursday 11am - 9pm, Friday 11am - 8pm, and Saturday 10am - 4pm.

Sahm Park

Formerly Northeastway Park, Sahm Park is located north of the Castleton Square Mall and adjacent to the Sahm Golf Course at 6801 East 91^st Street. The park has may facilities, but the most impressive is the remodeled outdoor aquatic center, where visitors will find an enormous pool with zero depth entry, spray features, three slides and lap lanes. The aquatic center is open during the summer from 11am - 7pm on Saturday, Monday, Wednesday, and Friday, and from 12pm - 6pm on Tuesday, Thursday, and Sunday. Adults can enter the aquatic center for $5 on weekdays and $6 on weekends. Youth and seniors can get in for $1 off of those prices. Children under 2 are always free. The park office can be reached at 317-915-0336. Sahm Park is open from dawn to dusk.

Southeastway Park

Southeastway Park is located far southeast of Indianapolis, technically in New Palestine. Exiting I-74 at the Acton Road exit, you will find 188 acres at 5624 South Carroll Road. Southeastway park is home to a variety of habitats, including wetlands, forest, a pond, and Buck Creek. Taking advantage of the variety, Southeastway Park specializes in environmental education programming, as well as summer camps, such as its 2010 progam, Bug Fest. Southeastway Park is open Monday - Friday from 9am - 5pm and Saturday and Sunday from 12pm - 4pm. The park office can be reached at 317-861-5167.

Southwestway Park

Southwest of Indianapolis you will find the Southwestway Park at 8400 Mann Road. The second largest park in the Indianapolis Parks and Recreation system, Southwestway Park recently added over 100 acres through the help of its local community. The park is bordered by the Winding River Golf Course and Cottonwood Lakes. Currently, Southwestway Park hosts baseball and soccer games on its plentiful fields and diamonds. There are plans to also add an aquatic center and additional facilities. Southwestway Park is open from dawn to dusk. Call the park office at 317-888-0070.

Indianapolis' regional parks are sanctuaries of natural beauty. To learn more about community and neighborhood parks in Indianapolis, please read the next two articles or visit the Indy Parks website.