Indy Parks Part 2: A Guide to Indianapolis' Community Parks

Indianapolis 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.

There are 21 "community parks" in Indianapolis. Read on to discover which Indy Parks are close to you, and what amenities they offer.

Downtown

Brookside Park

Size: 101 acres; Pool/ Aquatic Center: Summer only.

Overview: Brookside Park's 20,000 square foot family center, built in 1928, is open Monday - Thursday from 1pm - 9pm, Friday from 1pm - 8pm, and Saturday from 10am - 4pm. Brookside Park also offers playgrounds, basketball courts, tennis courts, picnic shelters, a gym, weight room, soccer field, and baseball diamonds. Brookside also hosts and after-school program that lasts from 4:30pm - 7pm every weekday. The aquatic center is open Memorial Day weekend - the 3^rd weekend in August Monday - Saturday from 12pm - 5pm and Sunday from 1pm - 4pm. Admission is $2 for youth and seniors and $3 for adults. The pool features two diving boards, a waterslide, a pool climbing wall, and a separate child activity pool with zero depth entry.

Special Feature: Brookside Park's 18-hole disc golf course has been very highly rated.

Contact Information: Brookside Park is located at 3500 Brookside Parkway South Drive, south of 16^th Street and I-70 and east of downtown Indianapolis. For more information about Brookside Park, call 317-327-7179.

Douglas Park

Size: 40 acres; Pool/ Aquatic Center: Summer only.

Overview: Douglas Park's family center is open Monday and Wednesday from 1pm - 9pm, Tuesday and Thursday from 10am - 9pm, Friday from 1pm - 7pm, and Saturay from 10am - 4pm. The park also offers a playground, tennis courts, picnic shelters, baseball diamonds, basketball courts, meeting rooms, and a paved fitness trail. Inside the family center, guests can play pool, air hockey and ping pong. The aquatic center is slightly less expensive than most Indy Parks, costing only $1.50 for youth and seniors and $2.50 for adults. The pool features two diving boards and depths from 3-12 feet, as well as a separate spray area.

Special Feature: Because of its partnership with the community, Douglas Park is able to offer many programs and activities for free.

Contact Information: Douglas Park is located at 1616 East 25^th Street, north of I-70 and between Keystone and College Avenues. Contact Douglas Park at 317-327-7174.

JTV Hill Family Park

Size: 10 acres; Pool/ Aquatic Center: None.

Overview: One of the smallest of all of the Indy Park system's "community parks," offers picnic shelters, athletic fields, basketball courts, and a playground. Its recreation center is open Monday - Thursday from 4pm - 8pm, Friday from 4pm - 7pm, and Saturday from 10am - 3pm.

Special Feature: The JTV Hill Park is being managed and operated by the Indianapolis Police Athletic League, which runs sports programs for Indianapolis' at risk youth. For more information about PAL Club, call 317-327-3187 or visit their website.

Contact Information: Just south of Douglas Park and west of Brookside Park, the JTV Hill Family Park is at 1806 Columbia Avenue. Call them at 317-327-5170.

Washington Park

Size: 128 acres; Pool/ Aquatic Center: Seasonal spray area.

Overview: Washington Park has a boxing center, basketball complex, playground, 18-hole disc golf course, and walking trails. The family recreation center is open Monday and Wednesday from 10am - 9pm, Tuesday and Thursday from noon - 9pm, Friday from noon - 8pm, and Saturday from 10am - 4pm.

Special Feature: Space is one of Washington Park's biggest draws. At 128 acres, it is one of the largest "community" parks in the city, and has a lot of green areas to get your family back in touch with nature.

Contact Information: Just north and east of Douglas park, the George Washington Park is located at 3130 East 30^th Street. For more information, call 317-327-7473.

Watkins Park

Size: 21 acres; Pool/ Aquatic Center: None.

Overview: Watkins Park offers basketball and tennis courts, baseball diamonds, playgrounds, a gym, game room, and horseshoe pits. The family center is open Monday - Friday from 4pm - 8pm and Saturday from 10am - 4pm.

Special Feature: Located just northwest of downtown Indianapolis, Watkins Park boasts the best view of the city skyline.

Contact Information: Watkins Park is located at 2360 Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Street, just west of I65 and near 24^th Street. Call them at 317-327-7175.

Municipal Gardens

Size: 6 acres; Pool/ Aquatic Center: Seasonal spray pool.

Overview: Despite being one of the smallest park in the Indy Parks system, the Municipal Gardens offers a gym, kitchen, spray pool, playground, basketball court, and conference room. The spray pool is free and open from Memorial Day to Labor Day. Hours are Monday - Sunday 8am - 8pm. The family center is open Monday - Friday from 10am - 9pm and Saturday from 11am - 4pm.

Special Feature: Its Amateur Athletic Union basketball teams have been national champions nine times.

Contact Information: The Municipal Gardens are located at 1831 Lafayette Road, just north of 16^th Street. Call them at 317-327-7186.

Rhodius Park

Size: 24 acres; Pool/ Aquatic Center: Summer only.

Overview: The new family center offers a fitness center, game room, dance studio, art and craft area, computer room and library. The family center is open Monday - Friday 3pm - 9pm and Saturday 9am - 4pm. Rhodius park also has basketball and tennis courts, and playgrounds. Their aquatic center features a 50-yard, 6 lane swimming area and connected diving well. Admission is $1.50 for youth and seniors, and $2.50 for adults.

Special Feature: Rhodius Park's youth programming is excellent and extensive. The park offers little league, swim team, junior lifeguards and a junior basketball league. All the coaches participating in their sports programs are certified by the NYSA.

Contact Information: South and west of downtown Indianapolis, Rhodius Park is located at 1720 West Wilkins Street, south of I70, near Harding Street. For more information, call 317-327-7191.

North

Broad Ripple Park

Size: 61 acres; Pool/ Aquatic Center: Summer only.

Overview: This park was the original home to the carousel that now resides at the Indianapolis Children's Museum. Today, the Broad Ripple Park has a family center that is open Monday - Thursday from 9am - 9pm, Friday from 9am - 5pm, and Saturday from 9am - 1pm. In addition to the family center, the park offers a playground, picnic shelters, tennis courts, a baseball diamond, a fitness trail, and a boat ramp and viewing platform over the White River. The pool is open during the summer Sunday - Thursday from 11am - 5pm and Friday - Saturday 11am - 7pm. 2010 admission was $2 for youth and seniors and $3 for adults. The pool always has a lap lane open, and also offers a connected shallow area as well as a zero depth entry spray pool area.

Special Feature: The Broad Ripple Park has a dog park! To use the Broad Ripple Park's dog park, bring a copy of your dog's shot records to the family center office. There, you can purchase annual or daily passes.

Contact Information: Broad Ripple Park is located at 1550 Broad Ripple Ave., between Keystone and College Avenues. For more information about the Broad Ripple Park facilities and programs, call 317-327-7161.

Holliday Park

Size: 95 acres; Pool/ Aquatic Center: None.

Overview:Holliday Park exhibits surprising diversity in flora and fauna. Over 200 species of birds and 400 species of plants have been found here. Its nature center is open Monday - Saturday from 9am - 5pm and Sunday from 1pm - 5pm. Holliday Park also offers three miles of hiking trails, picnic tables and a new playground. Programs include environmental education, and workshops like the upcoming Snowshoe making workshop.

Special Feature: "The Ruins" is a truly unique display of architecture and sculpture with a fascinating history. To learn more, visit Holliday Park's website or visit the park itself.

Contact Information: Just a few blocks west of Broad Ripple Park, Holliday Park is located at 6363 Spring Mill Road, right on Meridian and 64^th Streets. For more information, call 317-327-7180.

Northwestway Park

Size: 117 acres; Pool/ Aquatic Center: Summer only.

Overview: This is amongst the large "community" parks within the Indy Park system, and thus a rich opportunity for environmental education. The park also offers a large playground, picnic shelters, basketball courts, disc golf, and a 1.6 mile fitness trail.

Special Feature: The seasonal aquatic center is large and offers many different features, including zero depth entry, geysers, an in-pool spray shower, four slides for all ages, and three lanes for lap swimming. During 2010, the aquatic center was open Saturday, Monday, Wednesday and Friday from 11am - 7pm, and Sunday, Tuesday and Thursday from noon - 6pm. Admission was $4 for youth and seniors and $5 for adults. Prices went up by $1 on the weekends.

Contact Information: Northwestway Park is located at 5253 West 62^nd Street, near Georgetown Road. Call them at 317-327-1470.

East

Bethel Park

Pool/ Aquatic Center: Summer Only.

Overview: Bethel Park has a family center that's open in the fall Monday-Thursday from noon - 9pm, Friday from noon - 8pm, and Saturday from 10am - 4pm. The family center and park offer a gym, game room, computer room, fitness center, baseball diamond and playground, as well as shelters, picnic areas and paved trails. Their outdoor aquatic center is open Memorial Day through Labor Day Monday - Saturday from 1pm - 7pm, and Sunday 1pm - 6pm. In 2010, admission was just $2 for youth and seniors and $3 for adults. Bethel Park's outdoor aquatic center features a spray area, zero depth entry, water slide, waterfalls, and a playground.

Special Feature: It's programs set it apart. Bethel Park is currently offering a "12-Steps to a Better You" program for individuals seeking to make lasting lifestyle changes to include more exercise. For $25, participants sign up for 90-days of structured personal fitness led by their own coach. The "Youth Achievers" program offers youth ages 13-18 a chance to learn about goal setting, creative thinking, communication, conflict resolution, and more.

Contact Information: Bethel Park is located at 2850 Bethel Ave., south and east of downtown Indianapolis, east of Fountain Square and Keystone Avenue. For more information about Bethel Park facilities or programs, call 317-327-7480.

Christian Park

Size: 73 acres; Pool/ Aquatic Center: Summer spray pool.

Overview: Christian Park's family center is open Monday - Wednesday from 1pm - 9pm, Thursday from 10am - 9pm, Friday from 1pm - 8pm, and Saturday from 10am - 4pm. Christian park also offers walking trails, picnic shelters and a playground.

Special Feature: Christian Park is home to a large variety of youth and adult sports programs. With three little league diamonds, five pee wee diamonds, and five tennis courts, you can always find a game going on here.

Contact Information: Christian Park is located at 4200 English Ave., between East Washington Street and Southeastern Ave. For more information, call 317-327-7163.

Ellenberger Park

Size: 38 acres; Pool/ Aquatic Center: Summer only.

Overview: Ellenberger park offers eight tennis courts, baseball diamonds, a fitness trail, picnic shelter, and playground. The pool is open Tuesday, Thursday and Sunday from noon - 6pm, and Monday, Wednesday, Friday, and Saturday from 11am - 7pm. Admission to the pool is $2 for youth and seniors and $3 for adults. The pool features a diving board, sprayground, and climbing wall.

Special Feature: Architect and landscaper George Edward Kessler had a hand in the park and surrounding area's development and planning. The trail head for the Pleasant Run Trail is located here.

Contact Information: Ellenberger Park is located at 5301 East St. Clair Street, north of East Washington Street and east of Emerson Ave. Call them at 317-327-7176.

Pride Park:

Size: 0.5 acres; Pool/ Aquatic Center: None.

Overview: Pride Park is managed by the Norwood Place Community Association. It features a newly renovated family center that is open Monday, Tuesday and Thursday from 4:30pm - 7pm and Saturday from noon - 4pm. The park also offers a basketball court and playground.

Special Feature: Programs, such as youth mentoring and summer food & nutrition, enrich the local community.

Contact Information: Pride Park is located at 1129 Vandeman Street, in a neighborhood near Prospect Street and Sherman Drive. For more information call 317-327-7164.

Windsor Village Park

Size: 5 acres; Pool/ Aquatic Center: Seasonal spray pool.

Overview: Windsor Village Park features a basketball court, shelter, spray pool, and playground. The family center houses a game room with pool table, foosball table, and Wii video games. The family center is open Monday - Thursday from 1pm - 9pm, Friday noon - 8pm, and Saturday 11am - 4pm.

Special Feature: A million-dollar revitalization project is underway to construct a new 12,000 square foot community center with a computer lab, fitness area and gym, as well as other park improvements.

Contact Information: Near the intersection of I70 and 465, Windsor Village Park is located at 2501 North Kenyon Street. Call them at 317-327-7162.

Post Road Park

Size: 41 acres; Pool/ Aquatic Center: None.

Overview: Post Road Park features a playground, picnic shelter, basketball courts, cricket field, and sand volleyball courts.

Special Feature: The Post Road Banquet Facility, recently renovated, offers 4 different rooms for meetings and events of every size.

Contact Information: Post Road Park is located at 1313 South Post Road, outside the loop north of Brookville Road. Call them at 317-327-0143.

Raymond Park/ Indy Island

Size: 35 acres; Pool/ Aquatic Center: Year-round.

Overview: Raymond Park offers a variety of natural habitats, trails, baseball fields, and basketball courts. The office is open Monday - Friday from noon - 5pm. The park also hosts many programs for youth, adults and seniors.

Special Feature: The Indy Island indoor aquatic center hosts open swim Wednesdays and Fridays from 4pm - 8pm and Saturdays and Sundays from noon - 5pm. Admission is $4 for youth and seniors and $5 for adults. Prices go up by $1 on the weekends. The entire Indy Island facility can be rented for groups as large as 250 people. The facility includes zero depth entry, water playhouse with geysers and spray features, water slides, lanes for lap swimming and an adult-only spa.

Contact Information: Also outside the loop, Raymond Park is located at 8575 East Raymond Street, south of Brookville Road and just east of Post Road. For more information, call 317-862-6876.

South

Glenn's Valley Nature Park

Size: 27 acres; Pool/ Aquatic Center: None.

Overview: Glenn's Valley Nature Park is a very natural setting with walking trails and picnic areas.

Special Feature: Environmental EdVentures offer programs aligned with Indiana state teaching standards and developed specifically for each grade. Programs take place either at the park itself or are led by park staff at local schools.

Contact Information: Glenn's Valley Nature Park is located at 8015 Bluff Road, at the very south end of Marion County, off of Highway 37. Call them at 317-327-6800.

Perry Park

Pool/ Aquatic Center: Summer only.

Overview: Perry Park offers a roller blading area, picnic areas, and a community room. The outdoor swimming pool is open during the summer on Saturday, Monday, Wednesday, and Friday from 11am - 7pm, and Tuesday, Thursday, and Sunday from noon - 6pm. Admission to the pool is $4 for youth and seniors and $5 for adults. Admission is $1 more on weekends.

Special Feature: The Perry Ice Arena opens Saturday, October 2. The ice rink is open for public skating Tuesday - Friday from 3pm - 5pm, Friday and Saturday from 6pm - 8pm, and Saturday and Sunday from 2pm - 4pm. Admission for youth 3-17 is $4, $5 for adults. Skate rental is an additional $3.

Contact Information: Perry Park is located at 451 East Stop 11 Road, just west of Highway 31. For more information, call 317-888-0070.

West

Thatcher Park

Size: 23 acres; Pool/ Aquatic Center: Year round.

Overview: Thatcher Park has many baseball diamonds and playgrounds, as well as walking trails, picnic shelters, and a gym. The family center is open Monday, Wednesday and Friday from 8:30am - 9pm, Tuesday from 9:30am - 9pm, Thursday from 1pm - 9pm, and Saturday from noon - 5pm. The park also offers many programs, including junior basketball, lock-ins, adult volleyball, kayaking, and line dancing.

Special Feature: The heated indoor pool is home to its own programs, including aqua arthritis aerobic classes, and also features a pool climbing wall. The pool is available for open swim Monday, Wednesday and Friday from 11am - 12:30pm and 4pm - 5:45pm, Tuesday and Thursday from 4pm - 5:45pm, and Saturday from noon - 4pm. Admission to the pool is $1.50 for youth and seniors and $2.50 for adults. Water aerobics and other pool classes are $3 for everyone.

Contact Information: Thatcher Park is located at 4649 West Vermont Street, west of Holt Road and north of Rockville Road. Call them at 317-327-7390.

Krannert Park

Size: 42 acres; Pool/ Aquatic Center: Year-round.

Overview: Krannert Park offers a seasonal, outdoor aquatic center and a year-round indoor swimming pool. The indoor pool is open for lap swim Monday, Wednesday and Friday from 11am - 1pm and Tuesday, Thursday and Friday from 5:30pm - 6:30pm. Open swim is scheduled for Tuesday and Thursday from 11am - 1pm and 4pm - 5:30pm and Saturday from 1pm - 5pm. Admission is $2 for youth and seniors and $3 for adults. The park also features a playground, weight room, tennis courts, basketball courts, softball diamonds, picnic shelters and a pond. The Krannert Park family center is open Monday - Thursday 8am - 9pm, Friday 8am - 7pm, and Saturday 9am - 6pm.

Special Feature: Krannert Park hosts a variety of classes that change every season including dance, gymnastics, swimming and karate.

Contact Information: Krannert Part is located at 605 South High School Road, outside the 465 loop and between Washington Street and Rockville Road. For more information, call 317-327-7375.