Cancel

    Open app

    Search

    Old Academy Park

    3.0 (1 review)

    Old Academy Park Photos

    Recommended Reviews - Old Academy Park

    Your trust is our priority, so businesses can't pay to alter or remove their reviews. Learn more about reviews.
    Yelp app icon
    Browse more easily on the app
    Review Feed Illustration
    Photo of Ken N.
    668
    3984
    21554

    7 years ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    Verify this business for free

    Get access to customer & competitor insights.

    Verify this business

    Monarch Commons - New life is happening in Fowler with the motto "Be the Change"

    Monarch Commons

    5.0(2 reviews)
    12.6 km

    I was looking for a piece of public art and found something even better…read more When a butterfly mural was painted in Fowler in 2017 (see review for "Be the Change"), some local folks were motivated by the motto on the mural. Where downtown was seeing a number of vacancies and some dilapidated buildings, some folks decided to take action and started a fund raising page. By early 2019, over $50,000 was privately raised by citizens and qualified for a matching grant of $50k from the Indiana Housing & Community Development Authority. Completed in 2019, Monarch Commons is a beautiful new park with a shelter and flower beds and lots of landscaping with limestone. There are tables and benches for visitors to relax and enjoy. And though the trees are still too small to provide much shade, the park rests in front of a beautiful mural of Monarch butterflies. The park grabs your attention when you enter town on Washington Street and lets you know that the folks here can get things done. I love when people get inspired to make a change and create something beautiful where there was once nothing. Way to go Fowler! Keep it going! Review #3016

    This is a great area to relax outside with my kids. I'm glad the town decided to invest in this…read moreproject. They did and amazing job.

    Photos
    Monarch Commons - Monarch Commons is a new park in downtown Fowler

    Monarch Commons is a new park in downtown Fowler

    Monarch Commons - Inspired by a public art installation, the park was est in 2019

    Inspired by a public art installation, the park was est in 2019

    Monarch Commons - Where dilapidated buildings stood with a dirty lot, there is now a cool new park

    See all

    Where dilapidated buildings stood with a dirty lot, there is now a cool new park

    Portland Arch Nature Preserve

    Portland Arch Nature Preserve

    4.6(8 reviews)
    33.9 km

    Unless you are a skilled hiker, I recommend going to this beautiful nature preserve when the…read moreweather has been dry. There is about 90 feet of elevation change on the 0.8 mile loop that can be a bit slippery if you pick a time when mud/rain can be a problem. I only explored the north end trail during my visit. After parking in a shaded lot, I went into the park where I had a choice of left or right. The right side has a steeper descent than the left. Fortunately, there is a hand rail for stability. I figured it easier to go down the steep side than up, so I stayed on the right hand path. There is a fairly level area before you reach the "stairs". The stairs are mostly natural, so they aren't evenly spaced. Just keep focused and you should be alright. Once the trail reaches the bottom of the gorge, there are places where elevated paths keep your feet from trekking through the mud. Depending upon how much rain has fallen, you may get some mud, but my feet stayed dry the entire loop. At the base, there are deep ravines where the trees catch the sunlight and light up in brilliant yellow greens. The rocks are layered and take on a rusty color that can make for some great photos. The highlight of the loop is finding the "arch" through the ridge of rock. It was just a bit taller than my head (I would say most folks won't need to duck going through.) After that, you will start working your way back. Although I traveled the same distance up, it was gradual and not nearly as challenging as climbing steps. I didn't see much wildlife there, but there were squirrels and butterflies that showed themselves. I like a short hike that features a destination and great scenes along the way. If you like that too, then seek out this park. Review #2840

    Great trail among beautiful landforms. It's a nice hike that makes for a good day trip along with…read moreWilliamsport Falls, Attica, and the courthouse murals on Covington.

    Photos
    Portland Arch Nature Preserve - Portland Arch trail

    Portland Arch trail

    Portland Arch Nature Preserve - Halfway down the ravine - rugged

    Halfway down the ravine - rugged

    Portland Arch Nature Preserve - Portland Arch trail

    See all

    Portland Arch trail

    Falls Creek Gorge - the path is narrow, only one person wide

    Falls Creek Gorge

    4.0(2 reviews)
    20.4 km

    The Falls Creek Gorge is one of those places that if you go at the right time and/or have the right…read moreclothing/gear, you get a nice experience. Maybe even some great photos, too! The entire trek from parking lot to the potholes, then the mini waterfall, and then back the way you came to your car, is less than a mile. So, if you pack your car accordingly with a change of shoes or water shoes, you may not mind getting your feet wet if the water level is higher than when I went. Know that once you climb down a short stairway, you will most likely have to cross a slightly sloped rock area where water flows over it. I wasn't worried about getting my shoes wet (it was only about 1/4 inch deep) but because of the possibility of slipping and taking a hard fall onto the rock and sliding into the creek. The creek wasn't deep either, but rock is a lot harder than my bones, so I was careful as I crossed the area to the stairs that lead sharply up to the rest of the trail. I was fortunate that the water level was low and easily crossed to a spot where I could stand at creek level to view the potholes. The eddying current of the creek has worn a series of potholes in the river bed than make for a great audio experience hearing the water flow through them. The trail is steep at points and is narrow most of the way as you can get views from above the potholes and the creek. If you continue on the trail, it leads back to a mini waterfall that is only a couple feet high, but because of the setting and the sound, I found I was very pleased I went the extra distance to view it. I understand that the experience can be completely different after a heavy rain or in the winter when ice covers much of the creek. My advice is to know your own skill level at handling flowing water and ice before you undertake this park when the conditions are more challenging. Review #2843

    Sign, sign, everywhere a sign. This attraction was one of only two in Williamsport that enticed us…read moreto drive here from Indy. The gorge itself was splendid but upon our return to our vehicle we were welcomed by the local anti-economic development committee (the local police force) trying to scare us away. Weird. Oh well, enjoyed the trip anyway.

    Photos
    Falls Creek Gorge - Fall Creek heading towards the potholes

    Fall Creek heading towards the potholes

    Falls Creek Gorge - View from the trail of the mini waterfall

    View from the trail of the mini waterfall

    Falls Creek Gorge - Although it's only a couple feet high, it can be heard from a fair distance and is worth the short hike

    See all

    Although it's only a couple feet high, it can be heard from a fair distance and is worth the short hike

    Lake of the Woods Forest Preserve, Buffalo Trace Prairie

    Lake of the Woods Forest Preserve, Buffalo Trace Prairie

    4.8(5 reviews)
    103.1 km

    I have never hiked at a prairie before and I am so glad that I chose this place for my exercise…read more Very well maintained park with lots of trails. The wildflowers alone will bring me back to this beautiful place.

    The Buffalo Trace Prairie is a system of trails that are on the far western edge of the Lake of the…read moreWoods Forest Preserve. To be sure, there is much more to Lake of the Woods than just Buffalo Trace. The easiest entrance is located just north of Exit #172 off I-74 in Mahomet, on the left across from the botanical garden and before you get to the Early American Museum. Can't miss it. The trails run all through this medium-sized forest preserve and are perfect for jogging, biking, or dog walking. There is one major asphalt trail that runs E-W and several smaller trails that are really just places that they mow the prairie down every week or so. The asphalt trail is a little more than a mile long, and connects to a trail that is 5 mi in total. The intertwined grass trails are much longer all told, but since there are so many, you can customize as long or short of a walk as you want. The terrain is rolling hills, and the biome(s) are a pleasant transition from prairie to woods. None of the trails that I was on were at all challenging or in disrepair. I would suggest that if you intend to take the grass trails, take a good long look at the map before you leave the trail head, or bring one along. Thankfully, there are not really that many people making use of this park, which is cool. If you make use of the trail map, the trail in the far south of this park (by the highway) actually dead-ends and does not connect back to the parking lot, as is indicated on the map. Not a big deal, just a lil back-tracking. I needed the exercise.

    Photos
    Lake of the Woods Forest Preserve, Buffalo Trace Prairie
    Lake of the Woods Forest Preserve, Buffalo Trace Prairie
    Lake of the Woods Forest Preserve, Buffalo Trace Prairie

    See all

    Highland Park - Climbing structure

    Highland Park

    4.8(8 reviews)
    94.2 km

    Highland Park is a huge community park in Kokomo with lots of green space, recreational spaces and…read morea historic covered bridge. What I like best about the park are the mature trees that provide lots of shade. Some of the trees are over 400 years old. There is a huge colorful playground with climbing structures, swings and slides. The base is a mix of mulch and soft matting. Benches line the area for parents to sit and watch kids . (The equipment could use a good cleaning from the trees.) There are two ball diamonds with bleachers within the park. A beautiful stream that meanders through the park attracts fisherman. Tree-covered picnic areas are scattered along the creek. The Vermont Covered Bridge spans the creek and is open to pedestrian traffic. There are restroom facilities near the playground. There are several parking areas throughout the park and you can drive along the creek. Highland Park is a great place to bring the family.

    This is a large park in Kokomo that truly has something for everyone. We were originally drawn here…read moreby the largest sycamore tree stump that is on display and the largest steer that is not alive, but a stuffed version is on display. There is parking right next to these attractions and easy access for those who need it. They were both behind glass so the glare made it hard to see both, but they were amusing. Right next to the display was a playground suitable for all ages. The slide is a bit high, and it seemed old, but in good condition. There are also covered picnic tables in the area. Down the ways a bit in the park is a red covered bridge that was fun to walk through and take some photos with. Lastly, there is a large pavilion stage area what was having an orchestra concert, free to attend, and the audience was partially shaded with some picnic tables in the back as well.

    Photos
    Highland Park - Picnic areas

    Picnic areas

    Highland Park - Jason and I are heading to Highland Park

    Jason and I are heading to Highland Park

    Highland Park - Slides

    See all

    Slides

    Old Academy Park - parks - Updated May 2026

    Loading...
    Loading...
    Loading...