I have been visiting Clay Terrace Dog Park for over 2 years now and it has never disappointed me…read moreand my GSD. We love the good number of dogs - every breed, shape, size and form running around and playing to their hearts content. Beware, that the mulch inside is as intense as it could get at the moment. So much so that I wear old, worn shoes when I visit the dog park. There's no water supply so I get my own bottle and there's definitely plentiful poop bags. The parking is massive and it's free of cost. It definitely is worth the mulch just due to the sheer number of people from the community. The camaraderie is amazing!

We went on an early Saturday afternoon and the weather was sunny but a little windy too. It was the…read moreplace to be. It's public which was convenient and there are a lot of dog friendly shops around too so we grabbed coffee to have while our dog played. She loved it and all of the dogs and owners were so friendly. I would advise bringing some water and a bowl for your pup too just in case. It was definitely a good experience and we will be back.

I hosted a birthday party for my dog at Crate Escapes - my first time visiting for myself and many…read moreof our guests-but likely not the last! What a great place to take your dog! There is a large outdoor play area, indoor space and a small dog area. The check-in is easy, especially if you download the app first. The staff is great and there's a "ruff-eree" that walks around to maintain order and helps keep the play area clean. There are poo bags stationed liberally around the facility so picking up after your dog is easy. We had fun interacting with the other clients and their dogs. Usually there is a food vendor onsite but were between vendors when I went. I was able to carry in whatever wanted and was told DoorDash was OK, too. I didn't have a chance to check out the bar, which is a pay by ounce but several of my guests did and commented on the variety offered. There are many picnic tables and chairs for humans to gather and a mix of natural and artificial turf for the dogs to play. My friends and I have talked about going back, despite the distance for some of us. It's worth the drive. This is a great day out for dog people-fun for your dog and a chill vibe for dog parents.

I've been hearing about Crate Escapes for a while now. I can remember having a chat with the owner…read moreback at the Clay Terrace dog park when Crate Escapes was just a concept. I'm so happy I decided to check it out today for the first time to experience "Puppy Yoga." The event featured adoptable puppies through Far Fetched a foster based rescue in Indianapolis. "Trinket," a three-legged Greyhound stole the show! She even found a mat of her own to lounge on. Yoga was facilitated by Amanda Denny Meyer of Within You Without You--although most of us cuddled with the puppies rather than posing in downward facing dog. I'm looking forward to returning to Crate Escapes for other fun events in the future! It's a great place for adults and dogs to socialize. So much more than just a dog park. It's a really unique opportunity just to hang out in this space with dogs everywhere and the option to have food and drinks with other dog lovers. Please consider adopting before you shop around or seek out a breeder. There are so many amazing rescue dogs who need a good home. Also spay and neuter your pets please and thank you!!

Perfect spot for a laid-back family adventure!…read more Flowing Well Park in Carmel is a hidden gem for families looking to spend time outdoors without a big production. The open space, fresh air, and scenic creek made for a relaxing, fun-filled afternoon. Our kids had the best time splashing in the water, exploring the trail, and collecting cool rocks along the way. It felt like a mini nature escape right in town. Major parent win: there's a foot wash station at the entrance--so helpful when little feet are muddy but happy! There's also a picnic area to grab a bite to eat. We'll definitely be back for more sunshine and creekside exploring. Towels would probably be a good idea to have on hand.

Lovely little park besties between neighborhood. Very easy walking trail if you are not looking for…read moretoo much intensity. It would be a great spot for kids to play in the shallow creek or for dogs. We enjoyed our morning hike!

If your canine needs a little exercise with ability to roam free and play with his buds, then try…read moreout the (relatively) new dog park at Heritage Park in Zionsville. The Park is operated by Zionsville Parks and Recreation. But wait, first you need to register your pooch, show proof of vaccines and pay the Zionsville resident fee of $75 (or $120 for non residents). If your pup is over 4 months old and meets the requirements, you receive a fob that allows access to the park. These requirements keep you and your dog safe. The park has a section for small dogs and a section for large dogs. There are watering stations, bone shaped benches, and small pavilions to get out of the sun. There are also a few exercise ramps for Rover. Poop bags are available. The Park is adjacent to a playground. There are a dozen or so parking spaces and a unisex port-o-let. But you cannot take young children into the dog park. The park was not busy during my visit. 3 big dogs playing and no small dogs.

While visiting Providence Home+Garden, I went to go check out Rusty's Ranch Dog Park to see what it…read morelooked like and it was a very nice dog park. There were no dogs in the park, but I was very impressed with the landscaping and the structure of the park. There was a very nice walking trail in the back of the park that you could walk on as well. There was a very nice flower garden with a bench near the dog park that you could just sit and relax and enjoy the weather and the flowers. The playground for the dogs was nice and had a lot of obstacles for the dogs to play around in. All in all, Rusty's Ranch Dog Park is very exclusive for dogs to enjoy playing around and having a good time in on a regular basis. It is a good addition to Providence Home+Garden, and I think it will definitely attract more visitors with their dogs to the dog park.

From the owner: We are a locally owned and operated, brand-new dog park on the grounds of the beautiful Providence…read moreHome + Garden center in Noblesville, IN. We have high quality fencing, play equipment, and a dog water fountain available, as well as a lovely picnic area and walking trails outside the dog park. Stop by and say hi! We are so excited to provide a space for you and your dog to gather and grow.

Beautiful trail that leads to a cake shop. It was so pretty during the fall season. You can see all…read morethe foliage. Great way to get your steps in.

The City of Carmel has injected a bunch of fun activities and art along the Monon Trail in area…read moreknow as Midtown. The trail splits in this area with bike/running paths and pedestrian paths. In the medians between, there is a artsy splash pad/fountain, good for a quick cool down on a hot day. One area has a fun climbing structure for kids. There is even a colorful ping pong table, complete with paddles and balls. I even saw a bocce ball and shuffle ball courts - completely equipped! The setup is perfect for a date night or family fun. There was a temporary photo backdrop of splashing water commemorating the local swimmers going to the US finals and Olympics. Along the trail are several sculptures and murals that keep the trail interesting. There are benches and tables periodically to sit and enjoy a cup of coffee or socialize. The landscaping is lovely. The area is kept immaculate. The maintenance staff is super friendly. There is some street and garage parking nearby. The pedestrian traffic gets congested during peak times. Pro tip: Early morning walks are quiet and there is plenty of parking.

There's something about neighborhood parks - quiet, easily accessible and not too crowded. I got…read moreout on a good weather day today and enjoyed a good 1 hour walk around the different trails. There's a football field with small bleachers and a variety of different plants, flowers and pathways to appeal to senses of all abilities. And I was so impressed with the set up. There's small bridges dotting the park and a kids play area. There's a couple entrance points so it isn't confusing if you don't get through one. There was limited foliage with the time being December nevertheless it was a breath of fresh air getting out!

This park is nestled into a neighborhood and offers a new playground, huge grassy field, and…read morerugby/football field. There are a few mini bridges that go over a stream and it's nice to have this much open space to explore. It makes for the perfect walk. The playground seemed really fun and the only thing that confused us was the life-size wind chimes, which I'm sure the neighbors don't love - haha!

Even though they tried to open it for only the Fourth of July without any fanfare, umbrellas or…read moresnack bar it still was a hit! This very historical pool is still gorgeous and the fact they want to tear it down is unsettling. I have just never heard of putting a lazy river in front of a real river, but that's just me. Every time I go here I see somebody I know and it is such a great neighborhood area. It definitely is the best pool in town. The bathrooms need work as well as the concrete area but there's plenty of handicap parking and there is a dog park there as well. There's a nice walk along the river and many many playground activities available. They even have a soccer or rugby area as well as a tennis court. This truly is a jam in the city with White River and all its glory.

I have mixed feelings about this park. It is a 62 acre park, with 10 of it being woods. The park…read morewas originally a farm that dates back to 1882. It was then converted to an amusement park, the White City Amusement Park, in 1906. The park was opened in 1922 and still maintained some of the amusement park rides. The park has an outdoor pool that is in need of some intensive TLC. It is very raggedy. There are two picnic shelters, one of which is huge. They both have picnic tables under them and grills just outside of them. They have 2 sets of 3 tennis courts complete with benches and are awesome. They are well maintained and one of the park's better amenities. The baseball and multi-use field, not so much. The baseball field has an old backstop and the grounds need some maintenance and landscaping. The field had one goal that was not set up out there. The field was hard and had a lot of divots, aka ankle breakers. There is a nice dog park at the front of the park. It was packed with large dogs. There is a lot of obstacles and grass for the dogs and a shaded place for their owners to sit while the dogs run around. The park is located just off of the White River and has a public boat ramp to launch your watercraft. The ramp is very long and steep. There is also a nice wood viewing platform that overlooks the River. The park has a playground area is lined with wood chips and has 2 jungle gyms with slides and monkey bars. One of the jungle gyms is accesible. There is a set of traditional swings and a set of ADA/toddler swings. The equipment is old and the playground area is far from exciting. There are benches around the playground area to sit and watch the kiddos. There is an area called the Picnic Knoll that is located right outside of the playground area. It is where you will find a bunch of picnic tables placed in the forest. The final amenities I will discuss is the parks neglected walking/jogging/running/bicycling and fitness path. Many of the fitness path signs are damaged and/or unreadable. The trail is mostly a dirt path and dog walking is welcomed. The park has a decent sized parking lot, but a lot of it is being taking up by construction material and equipment. I believe they are currently building a new family center. That is a step in the right direction, because much of this park seems neglected. I was unsure if, outside of the dog park, if it was being maintained. This is a decent conventional nature park, that with a few upgrades and some TLC, could really be awesome. I know the are working to improve the park and cannot wait to see what Fun fact: The park's pool hosted the 1924 and 1952 Olympic swimming tryouts as the Broad Ripple Amusement Park

This is one of my new favorite places to go for a walk/ hike. There are so many trails to choose…read morefrom and when you enter the park on a sunny day, most of the trails to your right are shaded by the umbrella of trees. The trails to the left, on the other hand, are well- lit and sunny. On our most recent visit, my husband and I stumbled upon a very small cemetery. I thought that it might have been a pet cemetery due to its size, but after some quick research, my husband was able to find information regarding the family that it is believed to have belonged to. It was both creepy and cool at the same time. We walked a loop that was surprisingly dense at points and I was amazed at the fact that we didn't pop back out onto the main trail as quickly as I'd thought we would. There were some very steep slopes at points that were marked with cones that I found to be quite dangerous, but it's nature, so what are you going to do?! I love the preservation of this natural/ wild space. The sound of the birds in the forest canopy is calming and there are several places to stop, have s seat and just listen. There is also at least one of those tiny community libraries located there, as well as many other interesting features.

Growing up in the city of Danville, Illinois, there were always parks to enjoy nature. I would…read morenever expect that in the middle of Indianapolis, you could get lost in the wilderness. When me and my wife went hiking on these trails, I forgot we were in the city. It was so peaceful and pleasant and relaxing. This is definitely a place to go for a nice walk and tranquility. Even the squirrels, birds, dragonflies, and all of nature's creatures seem to enjoy the area. I can't wait for us to go back again.

Starkey Park is one of the oldest parks in Zionsville. The park is mostly natural forest that is…read morebordered by Eagle Creek on the southeast and housing developments on the west. The park is managed by the Zionsville Parks & Recreation center. There are seven short trails running through hills and dense forest within the park. The trails are less than one mile long each. The trails are ideal for nature lovers, birdwatching, hiking and dog walking. The forest offers cover for many interesting species of birds. In some parts, the trails are rugged and not easily navigated. Many native wild flowers bloom within the park. Unfortunately, the trails are not suitable for strollers or wheels chairs (except for a few short segments) because they are dirt paths. But the Rail Trail that runs adjacent to the park is totally accessible and overlooks the park on the eastern side. There is a parking area on the northwest corner or other parking areas along the rail trail.

Granted, Starkey Nature Preserve is tucked away, yet it's hard to believe I've lived here for 25…read moreyrs and didn't know it was there until this past Fall! Went with a couple friends with dogs, and it's got trails great for humans and canines alike, with parts that run along the creek and other areas that are quite wide-open. It's a particularly smart use of the space under large electricity pylons/towers. The trade off is that I do have at least one friend who would be, without question, bothered by the EMFs there. In addition to the varied scenery, the park does have some surprising elevation changes, along with some stairs and boardwalks in a few places. It is not wheelchair-accessible nor would it be good for those with mobility challenges. But for able-bodied folks, it's a good park to get some steps in. We had no problem walking for 3 miles. Some of the shady areas did have a fair amount of poison ivy, so that's a consideration too especially for dog-walkers. The parking lot isn't huge, but seems adequate for the number of users.