Pronounced as KO-TAY-WEE which means "fire" and possibly "prairie" in the Miami-Peoria language…read more Located in Hamilton county. The park is unique. This place offers the following: Aerial Adventure trails, Archery Range & Pro shop, Bike trails, Canoe launch, Equestrian center & trail, Fishing, Green space, Hiking trails, Natural History center, Nature trail, Prairie, Sport and target archery. The park encompasses 800 acres with 8 miles of multi use trails and 3 miles of white river. The restored Native American village was pretty neat to see how they lived. I had many pix and unable to post as my pix didn't transfer to new phone. =(

Another great park in Hamilton County!…read more Strawtown Koteewi Park is one of the more unique parks that I've visited in Indiana, as it has multiple Native American structures outside to explore. This is a really neat park to visit with kids, because they can go in and out of the huts, climb in and out of the archeology excavation site, and just have a good time learning about how people used to live on the land before we came along. There is also a very cool visitor's center with artifacts and treasures from a time long past, like a life-sized dugout canoe, animal skeletons, pottery shards, tools and weapons, and lots more. I took a foraging class here this summer, and it was really great learning about the edible plants that are on the park property. Best of all, it was free! But the class was so good that I would have paid for it. Different classes happen all year long, and many of them are free or very little cost. This park is actually very large, and there are different sections where you can hike, go zip lining and horseback riding. The zip lining and horseback riding areas are seasonal, so they're not open all year long.

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'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.

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.

Reasons we LOVE Morse Park & Beach…read more Newly renovated playground with multiple levels to climb and explore--perfect for adventurous kids! Features monkey bars, a variety of slides, and a fun whale-shaped rock wall Has a small toddler section, but overall better suited for confident climbers Woodchip ground--something to consider for babies or toddlers still crawling Great, easy fishing spot if you have your license In the summer, there's a beach area for swimming and cooling off Such a fun mix of playground + outdoor adventure all in one spot!

Place is a JOKE. I drove an HOUR up to the beach and all to be told it was at maximum capacity…read more There were a bunch of people leaving. Nobody was maintaining the number of patrons leaving so others could go in. The employees couldn't even tell us to our faces that they weren't letting anyone else in. They told a patron that had already paid to get in to tell us someone about wrist bands and they were at maximum capacity. ridiculous!!

Great Local Fishing Advice (and the Friendliest Shop Cats!)"…read more Fishing is one of my favorite hobbies, and whenever I travel, I try to stop by local tackle shops. It's always the best way to learn about the area and find the real local fishing spots. Fishing the White River had been on my list for a while, and I finally had the chance to check it out. A local bait shop recommended Schwartz's Bait & Tackle for purchasing a fishing license and getting advice on where to fish. As soon as I walked in, I was greeted by the shop's welcoming committee Skipper and Smokey Joe, two very friendly cats that the owner rescued. I later learned that Skipper recently needed surgery and the local community raised the funds in just a week. That kind of support says a lot about both the shop and the community around it. Mason and Jacob were fantastic. Super friendly, knowledgeable, and clearly passionate about fishing. They took the time to talk about equipment, bait, tackle, and the ins and outs of the local fishing spots around the White River. It's the kind of place where you can walk in with questions and leave with real advice, not just gear. They also mentioned they'll be offering guided fishing trips this summer, which sounds like a great option for anyone wanting to learn the area or improve their fishing skills. The shop itself has a great selection of fishing gear, bait, and tackle, and the whole place has a laid-back, welcoming vibe. If you're planning to fish the White River, this is definitely a place worth stopping by. Support a great local business, get some solid fishing advice, and maybe say hello to Skipper and Smokey Joe while you're there. There's also ample free parking available on site.

Dropped off U-Haul, I've been back for bait and always have friendly faces and ready to help! Nice…read moreplace well rounded for what your fishing for!

Calling all nature-loving families…read more If your kids would rather play with sticks, logs, and their imagination than a traditional playground, this spot is for you Little play hut with a table and two chairs Hopscotch and balance beams Lots of tree logs, sticks, and natural elements for open-ended play Encourages creativity, imagination, and nature-based exploration Completely covered by trees, so there's plenty of shade Multiple walking paths nearby for a family nature walk ‍ This is one of those places where kids can slow down, get creative, and connect with nature. No flashy playground equipment--just all that Mother Nature has to offer #coolcreekpark #nature #natureplayground #carmel #hamiltoncounty

What a great nature center and park! We visited to check out for our granddaughters. The Nature…read moreCenter has a nice bird watching deck, a selection of live turtles and snakes and much more. We found the bird collection particularly useful in helping us identify some of our backyard birds. The staff is very friendly and knowledgeable. They were preparing for a school group during our visit. After the nature center, we walked on one of the nature trails. Some flowering trees were in bloom. The trails are wide and well marked (but not paved). Strategically placed benches along the trails make perfect spots to bird watch. Nearby, is an outdoor amphitheater with a large grassy area for seating. I'm not sure what programs they host, but the space is nice. Near the front of the park, is a modern playground with several colorful climbing structures, swings, slides and the usual equipment. A pavilion is available to get shade or feed the kids. There is a water fountain to keep the kids hydrated. Behind the playground, adult exercise equipment is available. We also saw a soccer field perfect for local practice. There is dedicated parking with handicapped spaces and restrooms on site.

The Geist area has some amazing parks. Geist Park is one of them. The park is dedicated to the late…read moreCarl Verble, a former developer and resident of Fortville. I visited the park last week. The main feature of the park is the historic Bell Ford Covered Bridge, which opened last year. The bridge was moved from Jackson County and reimagined as a new crossing over Fall Creek on part of the trail system. The bridge and creek offer a picturesque backdrop for visitors. A set of trails moves along the creek. The creek attracts fisherman. I saw something new and impressive. The stairs leading down from the bridge had a slot for bike tires so skilled bikers could roll right down the stairs. The playground was packed with small kids. The climbing structure is awesome! The swings work for many different levels of skill. I particularly liked the covered bench seating for tired grandparents. I saw a pavilion with picnic tables and grills. Restrooms are available on the back side of the pavilion. The parking lot is large and accessible. The park is well loved yet still immaculate. I'd be here everyday if I lived closer.

Such a beautiful, scenic well maintained park 9 minutes away from the reservoir. We wanted to spend…read moretime at the reservoir but also spend some quite time with friends and Geist Park hit the spot! Clean park, well maintained shelter areas and a nice play area for kids. They also have restrooms which is always an added bonus. Decent size parking lot and pretty location!

Hidden gem Kayaking $10/45 minutes…read moreBeach Swimming ‍ obstacle course Friendly staff

Besides the fact it was a perfectly beautiful sunny day, this was not worth the gas to drive here,…read moremuch less the $7 each to get in. It is definitely not a lake, but a decent size pond. You are not allowed past thigh deep in the water unless you pay an extra $10 an hour to do the obstacle course. Also, parking is not clearly marked. Small kids did seem to have a good time, so it might be worthwhile for families with little ones. Since Fishers residents get in free, it might also be a good dunning spot for you. They do allow outside food and coolers, if you want to pack a lunch, and offer coolers with drinks for sale at an inflated price. If you do decide to go, make sure to fill out the waver online ahead of time.

I was a little bit nervous about signing up to do a 3k event in November, however, the opportunity…read morepresented itself and I knew I'd be able to visit a park I'd never been to before. Flat Fork Creek Park is part of Fishers Parks. Located at 101st and Cyntheanne Road, Flat Fork Creek Park offers just over 60 acres of relaxing fun for just about everyone in the family including a good amount of ADA accessibility. First off, you'll get a 60-foot sledding hill here. That's good to know as we inch toward winter. It's the tallest point in Hamilton County. There's also a 1.25 mile progressive mountain bike course that offers features for both mountain biking newbies and those with more experience. There's a beautiful fishing pond - state license required except for those 17 and under. Nearly 20 acres in the park are reforestation areas and there's a shelter with picnic tables that can be rented. Okay, that accessibility I mentioned? The 3k I did was a relatively small group, though it was centered around disability and had several disabled participants. The park includes an ADA accessible treehouse, a paved multi-use trail, and a boardwalk (I would note that while the boardwalk is, indeed, accessible, you do want to be a tad careful due to the side of the boardwalk that do offer a bit of a drop-off). You know what I think is really cool? They've created a ramp here so that even those with mobility issues can get to the top of the sledding hill - in most parks, that's an afterthought. As a side note, Fishers has won awards for their inclusion work and this park really shows it. This is really just a lovely park. You're not going to find a playground or other frequent park features, however, this beautiful park does a nice job of including everyone and weaving together nature with fun park adventures. This was my first time here. It won't be my last.

I recently discovered this park and have gone back a few times now. It's a beautiful park with a…read moregreat walking path, trail and hill. I love taking my dog here for a walk or going alone just to watch the sun set. The park is spacious and clean and overall a great experience. If it were closer to me I'd probably go daily.

I was recently appointed to the Indiana Trails Advisory Board. We held a meeting at Wilfong…read morePavilion in Founders Park, another Carmel Park I'd had yet to visit. This is a 37-acre park (it feels bigger, but that's according to the Carmel Parks website). I think the reason it feels bigger is that it better utilizes its space over a park like the nearby Hazel Landing. Founders Park has a large shelter, restroom facility, open sports fields (there were kids playing soccer while I was there), walking trails, and a very cool playground that is nature-inspired - swings, a sandbox, climbing structures, and more. Founders Park also has native prairie, wetlands, and a pond. Wilfong Pavilion is a neat facility with a capacity in its main room of 99 people. It also has beautiful views. Founders Park has had multiple upgrades recently including repair of its retaining wall, new fencing, an improved parking lot, and added rubber safety surfacing with the playground. I definitely see this as a very family friendly park. There's a seasonal drinking fountain, fishing, trails, a bike rack, and a seasonal foot wash station that makes me wish I had feet. Carmel is typically good about accessibility and that's definitely evident here. The bathroom had a nice, larger stall with grab rails. I would definitely return and I would definitely consider renting Wilfong Pavilion myself as it has accessible parking and appropriate curb cuts.

Founders Park is a really cool park with some unique features! I especially enjoyed the educational…read moredisplays about colors, aquifers, groundwater, and the water table. It's a great place for kids and adults to learn something while enjoying the outdoors. The park also has the Ralph Wilfong Pavilion, an indoor facility available to rent for parties, meetings, receptions, and other gatherings. It has large windows overlooking the park, restrooms, and kitchen facilities, with seating for up to 100 people. My only complaint is that the bathrooms weren't nearly as clean as those at other parks I've visited in the area. Overall, this is a really interesting park with a nice combination of recreation, education, and event space. Definitely worth a visit!