I've been spending a lot of time on Indy's westside and particularly in Speedway, Avon, Danville,…read moreand Coatesville. One day, I decided to venture around Speedway a bit as it's an area I grew up close to and I was feeling nostalgic. Meadowood Park is a 13-acre park on Speedway's north side. It's adjacent to Wheeler Elementary. It offers a densely wooded area along with a .75 mile walking trail, baseball/softball diamonds, sand volleyball courts, 3 shelter pavilions (all can be rented) - $75 for residents and $150 for non-residents, Ziegelmueller Pavilion, (can be rented), 2 playground spaces, and an interactive climbing rock area. There's a public restroom, though it's only open April-October. The playground, newly updated in 2010, targets ages 2-12. This is a safer residential area. I always kind of laugh because in a town known for the Indy 500, speed limits tend to be either 25 mph or 30 mph across town. However, that definitely helps keep things safe. The pavilion, or gazebo, has power outlets and can be rented - $100 for residents and $175 for non-residents. Tables are not included. A good number of local concerts are hosted here. Speedway tends to take care of its town. It's an important town since it hosts the Indy 500 and they take that seriously. This is an attractive and well-kept park and a great place where parents can allow children to play while keeping an easy eye on them. The ground of the playground is nicely padded and the park feels welcoming and safe. While I wouldn't consider this a destination park, it's a wonderful neighborhood park and one I'd easily visit when in this area and need a break.

In the shadow of the Speedway water tower sits a lovely little community park that is filled with…read moremajestic trees. The park offers several climbing structures and swings for young visitors to play and a soft matting so they are safe. Parents can sit on benches that surround the playgrounds and watch their kids. The park offers nicely paved pathways making it easy to push strollers or wheel chairs. There is a picnic pavilion and a lovely gazebo on the park grounds. The grounds are nicely maintained and manicured. There is a lot of natural shade from the large trees. It's a great place to read a book or walk the dog. There is a parking lot that holds about 20 cars or people park in the school lot that is adjacent to the park.

Eagle Creek Park is so beautiful during the warmer seasons. I took a walk on the red trail, an was…read moreable to take in the amazing sights. There is plenty to do such as taking a walk on the many trails, riding your bike, renting a shelter, kayaking, boating, going to the bird observatory and more! You can even go zip lining at Go Ape! The park is always clean and peaceful. There is a charge of $6 to get into the park, however you can purchase a year pass at a cheaper rate.

I visited here get a little exercise while in town recently and was impressed with the quality of…read morethe trails and hiking paths around. Parking was easy to come by on a weekday but I can see it getting tough on a nice weekend day. I thought the $8/day was a little steep and wished they had a weekly pass

No, it's not much of a beach, but it is a cool spot to take a break and enjoy the river. A low…read morehead dam used to be here, but the city had it blown up and smoothed out a bit so it isn't a death trap. On the west side of the river, at the dam, is where Belmont Beach is. Volunteers have constructed a small trail that runs from the parking area down to the river and next to a smelly combined sewer overflow. With the deep dig project underway, many combined overflows, like this one, should get cleaned up. Interesting history of this swimming beach going back to segregationists days.

Holcomb Gardens turned out to be an interesting place too visit, and we got some nice pictures…read moreclose to the waterfalls :-) Tip: The path around the pond isn't handicapped friendly Like with most venues of this type, there are a lot of insects here, so it's a really good idea to bring along some bug spray. Admission here is free, and spending some time in the Gardems can be quite enjoyable :-)

Beautiful and peaceful place, great for walking, picnics, or a nap under a tree if you want I guess.read more

The good news, I suppose, is that help is on the way…read more Thatcher Park, named after former parks director A.J. Thatcher, is a westside park that began as the Thatcher Community Center located at Grande Avenue and Cossell Road. That location proved to be in the way for a growing Allison Transmission - in 1974, the award-winning A.J. Thatcher building (Thatcher Family Center) was opened on 21.9 acres in its current location. This location includes sports fields, ample parking, a full gym, activity room, office space, and a deep diving and instructional pool. Thatcher Park was in the news recently because of a double shooting with one fatality. It's a rare crime in this park, however, as it's typically known as a serene location with an abundance of greenspace. Thatcher has a playground that is fairly wheelchair friendly, a walking trail, a basketball court, a weight room, and an indoor pool open year-round that offers open swim, swim lessons, and water aerobics. I've been on a bit of a nostalgia kick lately with my father's recent passing. I spent a good amount of time at Thatcher when I was a kid because it hosted a lot of sports programs for children with disabilities. I recall swimming, basketball, and other activities. I visited today, however, I have to say I was at least a little disappointed. The park seemed in some degree of disarray. The building seemed dirtier and in some disrepair. The playground was kind of cool with obvious accessibility options, however, it was also obviously somewhat overgrown. It wasn't awful. The green areas were still quite cool and the trail seemed rather nice. At least one shelter was in use and there were kids at the playground. I just thought it seemed very average. The good news, however, is that help is on the way courtesy of a nearly $1 million grant that will spruce up the park including a new and even more accessible playground, areas for 2-5 and 5-12, a walkway, and more. It should really improve the park. Thatcher is still right across from Thatcher Golf Course. Thatcher Park definitely has a lot of potential, however, it's also very much in need of the love it should be getting in the near future. While I have fond memories of my childhood activities here, today's visit left me kind of sad because Thatcher just seems a bit run down and I'm definitely hoping the planned updates will bring this once vital park back to life including, perhaps, a return to being a space for kids with disabilities to gather.

One of the older Indy Parks, but it still has a lot to offer. It offers the same amenities and…read moremore, just a little outdated. Don't let that keep you from the fun. Swim, play, work out, attend classes, hike around the premises. I just finished an adult archery class and had lots of fun doing so. Check out their programs or just come out and enjoy the massive grounds here.

If you're looking for a great park to take the kids, get a walk or run in, or even hop on a bike,…read morethis spot is perfect! The playground equipment is super nice--you can definitely tell they put some money and effort into making it great. It's right next to the canal, so once the kids are done playing, you can head out for a walk or rent a bike and ride along the water. There's even a dog park area, which is a huge plus if you want to bring your pup along. They have poop bag stations stocked and ready, so no worries if you forget yours. The whole place was really clean too--I didn't see any trash around, which shows people actually care about keeping it nice. The only downside is that there aren't any restrooms by the park. So definitely make sure you (and especially the kids) empty your bladders before you get there, otherwise you'll end up leaving to find a bathroom nearby. Parking is mostly street parking, and yes, you'll need to feed the meter. But if you go on a Sunday or a holiday (like I did), you're in luck--free parking! And honestly, who doesn't love free parking downtown?

This place is really dang cool. Tons of things for the kids to climb around on and explore. The…read moresurface was pretty spongy so if one did fall it would most likely not be too bad. I took my family here to get them amped up before heading down the road to goto the awesome Childrens Museum. This is a must visit park if your kids love climbing on EVERYTHING!

White River State Park is one of the most popular parks in the city, and for good reason! The…read morenickname for it is Indy's backyard. With riverfront and canal-front trails, a pedestrian bridge to the zoo, proximity to the city, and the amphitheater, so much goes on down here. Over the years, my favorite special events have been the food truck festival and the solar eclipse festival. The area is kept to be pedestrian friendly, with parking being underground to the park and wide walking and biking lanes. During warmer weather, I often see a hotdog vendor for a nice and easy lunch. There's lots of sculptures around the park too, which helps to keep things scenic. There's also a huge lawn space for running around.

This park is such a gem! As I write this review while listening to "Here Comes The Sun" by The…read moreBeatles, I feel like I'm right back walking through the beautiful pathways and taking in skyline views. From the canal and trails to the open green spaces, there's something here for everyone to enjoy. Plenty of smaller festivals and walks/runs are held at this park, and it truly seems like the perfect spot for them. My favorite festival that happens here is the Taste of Indy, which takes place in the summer and the MS Walk is always a well organized event here. I also really enjoy walking the paths behind the zoo, especially in the spring when the cherry blossom trees are in bloom. Absolutely gorgeous! Ps - As beautiful as it is, be sure to stay alert while on the pathways!

If you have ever had to spend any extended periods of time at Riley's Hospital or any of the other…read morehospitals in the area, chances are you have found your way here. This is such a calming and peaceful spot located withing walking distance from many of the downtown Indy hospitals. Whenever I have my kids with and we are at the hospital I make it a point to brung them to this fountain and gardens. They love to run around and I enjoying leisurely strolling around with the baby. This is a perfect place to take a break from the stresses of hospitals.

Located on the IUPUI campus is a beautifully restored garden dedicated to solitude, fresh air, and…read moreexercise. The Ball Nurses Sunken Garden is located north of the Ball Residence Hall extending between Eskanazi Hospital and the Riley Hospital parking garage. Originally designed in 1929 by the architectural design firm that created Central Park in New York, the park was restored in 2016 with a water fountain, numerous flower gardens, an extended pergola extending east to west, and plenty of open space with trails for walking. On the southern end of the park, a fountain is centered in a plaza with four spokes radiating from the center. In the middle of the fountain, "Eve", a sculpture by Robert William Davidson, was added in 1931. The sculpture has a long history of being the focus of a number of undergrad pranks, but despite it all, has retained its dignity. To the north of the fountain, an extended pergola offers some shade and is bordered by numerous rose bushes. The repeating arched forms make for an interesting photo location. To the north of the pergolas, a large greenspace extends with a slightly irregular figure-8 shape of paved trails. To the east and west of the lawn are numerous mature trees and smaller park areas on the north and east sides. Overall, it is a beautiful place to take time if you have cause to visit Eskanazi or Riley Childrens Hospitals. Parking is available in paid parking lots. Street parking is limited to hospital and university permitted vehicles. Review #533

This park definitely has potential. Whenever I come, no matter the day, it's usually pretty empty,…read morewhich is nice because I can walk my dogs around freely. Most of the area is uneven grass, though it's usually cut, and there aren't many good walking paths within the park itself. I've listened to live music at the amphitheater and really enjoyed that! I've also longboarded here; the main path along the road seems newer and usually clear. I've played tennis on the courts too, but they could use just a little TLC. Really, the whole park could. Still, it's a peaceful spot with room to grow.

Riverside Park has amazing potential but is in need of major love. The sprawling Park sits on prime…read moreriverside real estate and is lush with trees. But the grounds are overgrown and weedy, equipment fading and in disrepair and my encounter with staff was not uplifting. The pool is locked and empty. I inquired about the status at the front desk. The clerk did not look up from her computer but said the pool was being serviced and they had no idea if and when it would be fixed. I didn't see anyone working on the pool. Since they have a summer camp in session, it would be great if the pool was operational. There is a really nice set of tennis courts (12ish). There is green space for football and a baseball diamond. A nice set of workout equipment from the Colts seems in need of a good cleaning. I was excited to find a boat ramp with parking area. This area needs to be cleaned and patrolled. The River access site is beautiful. The park offers free daily lunches to those in need and also provides summer camps. I found these resources valuable to the community. I was really surprised to find the park not pristine and vibrant for 4th of July holiday. The flagpoles were even empty.

This park is very small. the trail around the lake is about a half a mile. It is also not very…read morewell kept and seems to be frequented by some shady characters, at least while I was there. It could use some landscaping, emptying of trash cans and renovation of the fields and tennis courts. They have a community center, a ball field, tennis courts in the back and an aquatic center. They also have a playground and two covered pavilions that you can rent for events. The pavilions do come with some strict rules though. The pavilions and their picnic tables are in dire need of a thorough pressure washing. You can however, fish in the lake. I saw someone doing it while I was there, but I am not sure how well stocked it is though. On a positive note, the recreation staff is very friendly and there is ample parking. The lake has blue benches all around that you can stop, rest and take it all in. There are ducks all over the place....I really mean all over the place. Almost too many of them.

Nice little neighborhood park with trails to walk, a lake to fish in, a baseball diamond,…read morebasketball courts, weightlifting gym, indoor and outdoor swimming pool, shelters to rent or just use and a playground. They also offer a variety of classes from infant to seniors, there is something for everyone. Surely you can find something that interests you. The costs are very reasonable also. Check it out, I'll see you there...