A "natural oasis in the heart of Fishers." This park has about 2 miles of trails and is a great…read morelittle escape. There are a few trail loops on both asphalt and tradition dirt trail. Along the trail there are a lot of benches and even a pond. The pond can be used for catch and release fishing. In parts of the park, you can hear some highway noise from I-69, but it doesn't bother me. I just love having a park that's easily accessible and nearby my house. Be sure to stop by and checkout this hidden gem in Fishers!

I took my dog here for a trail walk. Unfortunately, there was construction going on so we mostly…read moreended up on the Nickel Plate trail instead. Despite the unforeseen detour we enjoyed visiting the creek and the parts of the trail we could. There are lots of bugs in the woods near the creek but other than this I recommend visiting. It's very peaceful.

I was out driving in Fishers yesterday as I needed a different view and wanted to grab a meal at a…read moredifferent restaurant than usual. After grabbing dinner at nearby Mashcraft Brewing, I was headed home and thought to myself "Hey, I've never actually driven down 106th Street." So, I did. When you get my age, that's about as close as you get to impulsive. Seriously, I have to admit that I'd never even heard of Heritage Park at White River before yesterday. I started to drive in and completely fell in love with it. As Ken N. notes, it's mostly a park for adults and/or adults with families. It's a calmer, more serene space geared toward more peaceful activities. There's nary a playground to be found and the entire 33 acres of the park scream out "event" rather than social gathering. The centerpiece of the park is the historic Ambassador House. The perfect description of this park is, indeed, "charming." Originally built in 1826 at the corner of 96th & Allisonville Road, the Ambassador House is a Greek Revival-style home that served as the summer home of Indianapolis attorney Addison Harris. Harris served as the U.S. Ambassador to Austria-Hungary from 1899-1901. The Ambassador House and Heritage Gardens can both be rented for special events - in fact, they were in use when I arrived yesterday. You can still visit the park during these times (there's a separate parking area), but access to the house itself is limited. The outdoor event area, complete with a European-style terrace, can accommodate up to 250 including in the Garden Tent. The outdoor area is only available from April - October. The indoor area, which can accommodate up to 60, is available year-round. Heritage Park offers greenways, multi-use trails, nature trails, picnic areas, a shelter, a nice-sized sledding hill, tables, and trails. There's also a public restroom. You will not, however, get a playground or sports equipment. For some, this is a negative but I'll confess I see it as a plus because even adults deserve a park and this is a nice, well kept one. Considering the use as an event space, the lack of "playing" is consistent with the charm and natural ambience of the setting. Heritage Park also hosts some of Fishers more powerful events such as Yappy Hour and Wine Down Wednesday. Because the natural setting has been largely maintained (though it's fair to say the residential surroundings are at times viewable even on the trails), it's not uncommon to see a variety of flower and animal life. Birdwatching is especially popular here. I noticed a wheelchair ramp into the Ambassador House, an obvious add-on to increase accessibility. Fishers has a strong history of addressing accessibility and this park is consistent with that vision. There's a half-mile paged loop that serves as the entryway to the larger White River Greenway. There are benches around it. You can also find benches at the more nature-centered trail. The park also hosts the Angel of Hope! I'm going 5 stars with this park - while it may not have all the features of traditional parks, it's a wonderful park for adults and families allowing for special events and an atmosphere that will make those events special. This was my first visit - it won't be my last.

Heritage Park is a 33 acre park that sits back hidden from the road. The entrance is located at the…read morecorner of 106th street and Eller road. It is known for its wooded trails, one of Fishers best sledding hills and the historic Ambassador House and Heritage Gardens. The Ambassador House and gardens can be rented year round for special events and weddings. In addition to the house and gardens, there are nature trails home to a variety of birds and plants making it ideal for birdwatching and nature study. There is also a paved half-mile loop trail that serves as the first segment of the White River Greenway. The park is open year round daily from dawn to dusk.

Very short trail. If you're going for walking I don't recommend but if you just want to be outdoors…read morein the shade and near the creek it would be fine. I went with my dog hoping to get a decent walk in and I was disappointed.

I'll openly admit that I'd never heard of Hague Road Nature Haven until I decided to do some…read moreHamilton County exploring today following church. Hague Road Nature Haven is a relatively small spot at 43 acres. It's located at the Southeast corner of Hague Road and SR 38. The master plan calls for an outdoor education center, though for the most part the current status of Hague Road Nature Haven is as a fairly rough, immersive, and absolutely peaceful place that makes up for its accessibility issues with being a bit of natural wonder right here in Central Indiana. Hague Road Nature Haven is surrounded by Cicero Creek. There's a small parking lot. It's cleared but still natural in presentation. Plans eventually call for campsites, a natural playground, a nature center, study areas, and I believe I even saw plans for a small, natural amphitheatre. There are no plans, necessarily, to turn this into anything resembling a recreation area and we should be grateful for that. For now, you've got lots of greenery, hiking trails, creekside spots for stomping or wheeling or just watching. There's one absolutely delightful spot with a sort of swing bench. It's an inspired touch for an inspiring location in Noblesville. You can fish here, of course, and I was honestly surprised at just how much of this nature haven I could handle by wheelchair (though certainly not all). The creek itself stays relatively shallow. However, obviously, children should be supervised and care should be taken to ensure safety. This is nature, after all, and things can happen easily. Animals may very well be here, as well. This haven is still relatively light in terms of attendance and in one afternoon I saw fish, tadpoles, lots of birds and, yes, even deer. I wouldn't be surprised if turtles are around here and maybe even a snake or two (I like snakes...for me, that's a good thing). There's a relatively light "nature walk" trail here. It runs just under a mile. The path is natural, though I found it cleared enough that I could manage it. In adverse weather, I probably could not. It's not technically "accessible," but it's wide enough, mostly smooth ground/crushed stone, and almost completely flat. Plus, it's right by the creek. This also means mosquitoes in season, but that's easily handled. Absolutely heaven. This is a relatively secluded area - this can be an amazing thing, but it's also worth noting in terms of taking appropriate precautions. You're really not that far from residential areas here, though this truly is a set-apart haven and a magnificent slice of nature almost smack dab where you least expect it. There's no question I'll be back.

‍ Geist Waterfront Park is SO much more than a beach!…read more If you haven't been yet, add this one to your summer playground list because there are multiple playground areas, a beach, walking trail, and tons of ways for kids to play! ‍ BIG Pirate Ship Playground * Huge pirate ship * Rock wall * Rope climbing * Lookout area * 2 slides Toddler Playground * Double slide + regular slide * Fully enclosed so little ones can't easily wander or fall out * 3 adorable rocking critters And there's SO much more: 4 different types of swings 2 spinning pieces of equipment Tall rope-climbing pyramid Turf ground 3 mini shelters + 1 large shelter Lots of benches for parents Shipwreck Sand Playground * Small boat * Water feature * Digger * Wooden table + chairs * 2 little houses * Driftwood climbing structure Parent perk: Bathrooms are located at the front and there's an adult-size changing table! Beyond the playgrounds: * Swimming access * Non-motorized boat launch * Dock access for kayaks, canoes & paddle boards in season * Seasonal concessions stand GOOD TO KNOW: Geist Waterfront Park is FREE for Fishers residents and FREE for everyone during non-peak hours. During peak hours, 1-6 PM Saturdays & Sundays, as well as Memorial Day, Independence Day & Labor Day, it is $25 per car. Geist Waterfront Park -- Fishers, IN If your kids love boats, sand, and climbing, this one is a must! ‍

What an awesome park with a beach and playground on Geist Reservoir! The beach area is huge and…read moreperfect for kids to play in the sand and water and sunbathing. The mesh walkway is thoughtful for strollers and wheelchairs. I saw people swimming laps and kayaking in the lake. Lifeguards were on duty. The playgrounds are fun with a sand area that the toddlers love. The larger playground has a ship theme with lots of climbing structures. I saw plenty of shaded seating for parents near the playgrounds. The amenities are abundant with restrooms, snack bar, lifeguards, outdoor showers and lots of picnic areas. Individual pavilions are available for private family functions. I even saw lounge chairs for sunbathers available. The landscaping is immaculate. Parking is abundant and there was no charge to use the facility. Walkways are accessible. This is one of the nicest parks in the area. Bring the kids, sunscreen, towels, water and picnic supplies.

A beginner-friendly hike for toddlers?! YES!…read more Daubenspeck Community Nature Park was the perfect little adventure for my 4-year-old and 2.5-year-old! It's a smaller nature park with several paths, so you can make your walk as short or as long as you want. We walked just under a mile and explored almost all of them! The woodland trails are narrow with little inclines, tree roots and bridges, while the prairie trail is wider and more open -- and would be a much better option if you're bringing a stroller. There were also benches along the way for breaks and signs that helped teach the kids how to follow a map. So many little things to keep them interested! A big thank you to Nature Club and [insert name] for giving me the confidence to get out there and hike with two little kids. Sometimes you just need someone to remind you that yes, you can do this! Daubenspeck Community Nature Park 8900 Ditch Road, Indianapolis ~22 acres FREE Open year-round, dawn to dusk

This is a large community park just north of 86th St on Ditch Rd. There is a small gravel parking…read morelot and a couple benches, but that is it for amenities. I walked my dog here for almost an hour as there are several trail loops to explore.

This is a decent nature park. They have an adequate amount of parking available between its lot…read morenear the river inlet, the Pizza King lot, and parking along the park's long drives in the grass. You will find a restroom structure near the park's entrace, just off of the Pizza King parking lot, near the large playground. The first thing I notice about the park is its green space. There is tons of it and it is well maintained. there are a few metal square picnic tables scattered on the green space, as well as some benches that overlook the river. The park features a couple of decent playground areas. The one near the park's entrance is the largest and has a large jungle gym with monkey bars, bridges, slides, a pebble bridge, and a small canopy. There is also a bank of traditional swings, with an ADA swing over there as well. The second playground is by the parking lot and canoe launch. It has a smaller jungle gym with a slide, and a couple of traditional swings. Both playground areas are on a bed of wood chips. The equipment is not the most modern, but is well maintained. The park is home to a very nice, paved fitness trail. It is about a mile and has some very nice equipment stations along the circular route. The park has one very large shelter without any picnic tables under it. There are two smaller shelters at the park and they both have a few picnic tables under them. They are available to be rented. The most prominent feature of this park and probably the most used is its canoe launch. It has a very nice launch that feeds into the White River. In addition to launching some canoes, there are a few shallow spots near the launch that i saw some people splashing around in. It was like ankle deep water. All in all, this is a nice park. I will admit, there is not a lot to this park, but it is still a good option to spend a few hours.

They have free outdoor exercise equipment and a dog water fountain near the restroomsread more

Zionsville, Indiana has about 20 miles of interconnected paths and trails. This includes the…read moreofficial Zionsville Rail Trail (which I've also heard referred to as the Big 4 Rail Trail). This is a 5+ mile paved trail that goes through the heart of Zionsville, a small suburb on the northwest side of Indy. Trail parking is available at American Legion Trail Crossing, Heritage Trail Park, Carter Station, Zionsville Town Hall and the Nancy Burton Corridor Parking, and just off of Starkey Road. Currently, the trail is being extended north toward Whitestown and south to Zionsville Road. The Zionsville Road trailhead is also currently being constructed. Thus, you will likely encounter some unfinished areas and some construction along the way. While the trail can get busy during good weather, it's a much quieter trail than Monon or Nickel Plate. Because it also weaves through Zionsville, there's also places to stop and it's typically pretty easy to find a public restroom. I know there's at least one on the trail that is clearly marked. Some of the entryways don't look like they would be wheelchair friendly, however, Zionsville has actually done really well to create accessibility along the path. I haven't down this trail during the winter - so I can't speak to maintenance during adverse weather. The paved trail is wide. The most significant inclines are at access points and all those that I experienced met ADA requirements. The trail feels safe and I've seen quite a few parents with strollers on the trail. While you get runners, everyone is considerate on this trail. The plan for the trail is that it will stretch 50+ miles across Boone County and will go from northern Indy to Lafayette. The Big 4 Railroad operated along this corridor from 1889-1930. Zionsville established this trail in the 1990s. The trail is a paved 12-foot wide path with a 3-foot soft shoulder on both sides for runners. It offers restrooms, water fountains, trail markers, picnic benches, and trash receptacles. Pets are to be leashed. If you turn right onto a short path when the trail intersects with Starkley Avenue, you can go directly into downtown Zionsville. Zionsville has a brick-paved Main Street that is quite cool. The trail utilizes nearly all underpasses to go through town. You don't really experience an at-grade crossing until you hit Zionsville's north side. I find this to be much nicer and safer. The trail passes by Mulberry Fields, Jennings Field, Carter Station, Heritage Trail Park, and Rail Trail Gardens Event Center. The trail's a definite winner and only getting better in the coming years!

I walked the Zionsville Rail Trail with a friend in September '23 and it appears it was either…read morestill undergoing construction (or some enhancements). We parked at Zionsville town hall since the map online indicated an access point here. There was one, but it was a gravel path for about a half mile until we realized we were walking through an unfinished part of the trail. The Rail Trail is a straight path through residential areas of Zionsville. It wasn't very busy on a fall afternoon, and I'm not sure if it will have commercial development like the Monon Trail in Carmel and the Nickel Plate Trail in Fishers, since it does back up to houses/neighborhoods.

This small town park has a big history. In 1940, local Elwood resident, Wendell Wilkie, accepted…read morehis party's nomination to run for President against Franklin Roosevelt in the park. Approximately a quarter of a million people attended the celebration. Today, a historical plaque commemorates the event. Callaway Park is a central gathering point for the community of Elwood. The town has celebrated annually the Elwood Glass Festival in the park for over fifty years, bringing in thousands of visitors. The park offers several playgrounds with older and newer equipment. There is a lovely covered brick pavilion with picnic tables and restroom facilities. There are two gazebos which host concerts and other events. There was a church service in progress during my Sunday morning visit. The park is spacious with lots of mature trees providing shade. I loved walking through the park. People were friendly. There's history and plenty to do.

This is an amazing old school park that seems to be a corner stone of the town. It spans about 25…read moreacres and has just about everything you would want in a park. The park was donated by and is named after Henry Callaway and dates back to 1917 There are two entrances/exits to the park and an ample amount of parking. The park features a small amphitheater with seating, a gazebo, a large shelter with restrooms, and two small shelters with picnic tables under them and grills just outside of them. You will find a bunch of picnic tables and benches all over the parks grounds. There is tons of green space to play, an outdoor volleyball court and the park is home to a very extensive play ground. They have a fenced in playground for smaller kids with a merry go round, a small slide, a spinning net climber, rocking animals, and monkey bars. There is so much playground equipment here, all over the park. It has one of the tallest metal slides that I have ever seen at a park, there are a few banks of swings, giant tires to climb on, pebble bridges, a spiral slide, net swings, monkey bars, merry go round, a dome climber, a jungle gym, a log roll, a large play set structure, a rocking raft, an expression swing, see saws and a stand up swing. Like I said, it is a bunch of equipment, that is spaced out over the park. It is not the most modern equipment. But it is well maintained and in decent shape. Most of the equipment is constructed out of sturdy steel or aluminum. There are a couple of baseball fields on the park's outskirt. I am not sure if they are park of the park or not though. They are decent fields that would be good for some little league ball. Across the way from the park you will find the Birch Bayh Community Center. They have a couple of decent basketball courts over there. The tennis courts over there need a little TLC though. I was very impressed with this park, which is saying a lot, because I am more of a modern park guy. They host concerts, sporting events, and second harvest food banks. It would also be a nice place to jog. The park has a nice paved trail that winds though it. I would consider this a destination park and highly recommend checking this place out if you have the opportunity to.