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    Riverside Park

    3.9 (17 reviews)

    Riverside Park Photos

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    Tank G.

    This is an huge and amazing old-school park that dates back to 1898. It spans a whopping 860 acres and has a few different parking areas that can be accessed only through their own separate entrances. They are not connected. This park may be a bit on the older side, but has everything. You will notice a couple of community murals adorning the rec center walls. They are very colorful and attracts your attention. You should also notice the water slides of the park's water park. It looks like a very nice water park, but was closed during the season during my visit. There are two playground areas on opposite side of the park and a Colts play space in the front. Both of the playground areas are on a bed of wood chips and fully accesible and have jungle gyms with slides, bridges and tunnels. They are both not very large areas and their equipment is deep into its lifespan I would say. The playground by the rec center has wavy monkey bars and a small rocker car. There is also some outdoor workout equipment, picnic tables and benches out there as well. in the vicinity of that playground area is a shelter with picnic tables under it and a grill outside of it, a very nice horse shoe pit and a small lake. The other playground are is near the tennis and basketball courts on the opposite end of the park. In addition to the jungle gym it has a bank of traditional swings. The Colts Play 60 area is very nice. It is located at the back of the rec center. It is on an artificial grass surface and has a 40 yard dash ramp, a jungle gym and some ninja warrior style apparatus. There is also some outdoor workout equipment right next to it that includes a dip machine, a chest press, arm bike, and elliptical machine. It is a very nice area The park has three multi-use baseball fields with the largest backstops that I have seen outside of Top Golf. They are relatively in decent shape. There are also two football fields there, one of which has a goal post that can be turned into a soccer net. This park really has green space for days. You will find about 12 decent tennis courts, 2 pretty good full basketball courts, and about 6 horse shoe pits on the end of the park opposite the pool and rec center. There is also a rest room facility over here. The park has picnic tables placed all along its vast grounds and many of them are covered by shade trees. There is also a few shelters, about 4 or 5, with picnic tables under them and grills just outside of them that are available to rent. The park is home to one of the most amazing outdoor amphitheaters in the city. It looks like something out of ancient Greece. It just recently underwent a $9 million renovation and is state of the art. The amphitheater dates back to 1931 as is the resident home of the Indianapolis Shakespeare Co. The theater's bowl holds 650 people and its open area holds up to 2,000 event goers. This is an awesome historical park with everything you could want in a park and more. It is pretty well maintained and has space for days. You can play whatever field sport you can imagine here, football, soccer, frisbee, fly a kite, field hockey or have a picnic. The only real improvement that I could suggest is to put some money into and make upgrades to the playground equipment. Anyway, you can easily a full to a half day here. There is so much to do. I highly recommend checking this spot out.

    Taggart Memorial Amphitheatre
    Eddie C.

    The Taggart Memorial Amphitheatre looks great. Prior to its transformation, the area looked rather dated and in need of a refresh. With proper investment, the memorial becomes the centerpiece of a venue featuring live music and performances. There is a main stage and tiered seating that promises good views for any show. The only drawback is maybe too much sun. There is not much of a shade to speak of. Beside the amphitheatre, Riverside Park has a recreation center and pool for residents to use. The park is one component of the greater Riverside Regional Park Master Plan, which re-imagines the westside of Indianapolis and its greenspace. There are plans to leverage the proximity to the White River and turn the region into one of the best amenities the city has to offer.

    Riverside Park is the new home of Indy Shakes!
    Ann L.

    I was here for an Indianapolis Shakespeare Company production of Hamlet. I had never been to this park before and was amazed at the size! Before the show we had the opportunity to hear about exciting work going on in the neighborhood and the park. The long awaited improvements are coming thanks to the hard work of those who live in the neighborhood. The setting was delightful for the show, and admission was free! How fun to watch a play while enjoying food truck treats, and relaxing in lawn chairs or on blankets. The crowd was relatively small which made it easy to move around and exit post show. It seemed we were the only ones who parked in the lot where the signs directed us! It was very dark walking back, and we used our cell phone flashlights to avoid tripping in the field. They were running golf carts out to the parking area as well, but we made it on our own! Next time, I'm bringing a real flashlight. I can't wait to come back after the new theater area is complete, but they did a great job with the temporary stage for this production. The aquatic center looked nice too. I need to come back to explore a bit more.

    Looking good after her restoration
    Tiffany B.

    Love this park and it's getting an upgrade! Largest monument in Indy dedicated to a person, Thomas Taggart, former mayor and "father of the parks system" in Indy. Soon to be home of IndyShakes. So glad to see this outcome. What a gem for the west side!

    Tennis courts
    Christi S.

    Went to riverside to hang out with friends and play pickle ball. A ton of room here and the courts were in fair shape. Lots of activities going on- football practice, softball, etc.

    Brittany S.

    My visit to Riverside Park was less than glamorous but it opened my eyes to a local treasure for the neighborhood. I was visiting the community center for a Park Board meeting and found myself taking pictures of the park both before and after my meeting. 1.) this park is easily accessible from 16th street on the east side.; 2.) Riverside Park is home to a NFL Colts Playscape and outdoor workout area; 3.) The gorgeous Parthenon-looking remains stand in this park (which I believe Indiana Landmarks is currently trying to save/preserve/raise funds); 4.) The Community Center is home to a large gym that was conveniently hosting a lunchtime workout class with at least 20-30 folks working out and dancing while I was there. I found myself smiling and soaking in their fun lunchtime energy and the fact that the park was being used for what it was originally created.

    Ken N.

    I was really surprised by how much there is to do at this park. There are baseball and basketball areas, an aquatic center, a few shelters, a playground on the north end and a Play 60 Colts inspired playground/fitness equipment area. But try as it might to be inclusive, the park needs some capital investment in basics like walkways that aren't broken and sadly, more surveillance in the parking areas. I had been here before about a year ago to take photos of the Thomas Taggart Memorial. Taggart was the Mayor of Indy from 1895-1901, became a Senator in 1916, and founded Riverside Park. The Memorial was built in 1931 and was thought to be a treasure of Center Township, but has fallen into disrepair and has been closed off by fences to prevent further vandalism. A study was done around 2005 to spend $1.3 million to restore the stability of the Memorial, but even now there is little evidence that anything is happening. This could be a great location for all types of events if restored. There is another building that hosts functions, but it seems rather mundane compared to the Taggart. One of the newer additions to the park was the Play 60 inspired playground/training equipment that is on the 24th street end of the park. Colts logos and colors are prevalent throughout the area since the NFL is behind the Play 60 (minutes of exercise/activity each day) program. I will admit that most of the equipment and shelters appeared to be in pretty good shape. But like I've seen mentioned in reviews of other city parks, the convenience of having parking lots away from busy streets can attract adults engaging in inappropriate activities. As I was driving by on a Sunday afternoon, a group of men had gathered in one of the street side lots and their behavior was offensive enough to keep me from stopping. There is no way I would have wanted to take my grand kids to the park after seeing that behavior. I can only hope it was an isolated event, but the fact that none of the other men stopped the offending individual was deterrent enough for me. I truly believe this park has the space and basics for becoming a really good park. But in the meantime, a little more police presence might be needed to make the park a bit more family oriented. Review #714

    Fishing hole at Riverside.
    Ericka D.

    This park doesn't get the credit it deserves. It has a beautiful landscape, fishing and boating on the river, connects to the White River Wapahani Trail, has a summer waterpark with sweet slides, open fields for sports, a fitness space, playground, and memorial. It was once an amusement park built in 1903. I would love to see this area revitalized and used for concerts, fairs and other public events. It definitely has the space for it.

    Lime green car speeding around the parking lot. No muffler. There was another car that was speeding against it.

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    Review Highlights - Riverside Park

    The other playground are is near the tennis and basketball courts on the opposite end of the park.

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    Indianapolis Canal Walk

    Indianapolis Canal Walk

    4.5
    (206 reviews)
    2.5 mi

    Goodness, have I walked the canal about 50 times now?!…read more It's such a unique experience for Indy to have some water space in the middle of the city. This 3 mile loop will take you from 11th Street down to White River State Park to access the green space and extra trails down there. The canal water itself is not super cute, where there can be litter, and the water is rather opaque. They do drain the canal every so often to keep it from getting too uncute. The sidewalks are kept nicer, though a few spots in front of apartment buildings could use some TLC. There are also a few spots where the sidewalk is not level, so take caution if that is an issue. It's mostly stair access to the canal, but I *think* I've seen an elevator around the Ohio street basin. The canal has a few businesses along it for your merriment. Notably, there is Fresco on the Canal (I have a separate review for this) which is open March-October. Eiteljorg museum cafe is open daily around the lunch hours (11-3) and can be accessed through their patio gate. Entertainment wise, there is more going on. I've done the swan boat rentals, where you can pedal around on the canal. This is quite a workout! Rental of swan boats and kayaks is near the Ohio Street basin. There is also the gondolas, where your gondolier can sing, and they've always sounded marvelous. There's also a few stations for the Pacers Bikeshare around the canal, which is free for Marion County residents. Any time the weather is right, you can find me getting my steps in!

    Nice river walk nearby center city area. It's refreshing looking at the water flowing through…read more We saw some fishes so definitely clean water for the city. Love the greens, bridges, arts around it. It would better with warmer weather for sure. I couldn't walk far because of the cold. But overall I love the scenery.

    Photos
    Indianapolis Canal Walk
    Indianapolis Canal Walk
    Look for this tall colorful mosaic to start your canal adventure!

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    Look for this tall colorful mosaic to start your canal adventure!
    Bad Axe Throwing

    Bad Axe Throwing

    4.5
    (108 reviews)
    3.2 mi

    This was an ok experience. It is located in a downtown building that had probably not been occupied…read morein many years but they slapped some paint on some of it. The throwing is very expensive compared to our previous axe throwing experiences. Drinks are a bit pricey too. The gal/staff working the place was very friendly and helpful. I doubt we will be back. Downgrading to a 1 star. After getting an email request to take their survey (which required email and phone), it is obvious they sell your info. I have never seen this much email and text scams/phishing at once. DO NOT TAKE THEIR SURVEY!

    This is a really fun time for a couple or even a relatively large group of people. We had seven…read morepeople with us in our family and we played for an hour and 15 minutes. They have a nice little bar of stuff available for drinks and the prices aren't too bad for that. You get to throw axes at a special target on the wall after a little bit of education from a trainer, you get to do it however you like, after scanning a QR code on the wall, you can play different games as well. I've been here a couple times. The first time our coach stayed with us the entire time helped us get things figured out and help us get our throws worked out, this time the coach just showed us what to do and then left. He was kind of doing everything Tending the bar coaching the people handling the music. Probably too much for one guy to do with three or four groups going out at the same time. Still a lot of fun and a great afternoon in downtown Indianapolis. The throwing arena is up on the second floor. You go in downstairs take the elevator up and it's right there.

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    Go this weekend for free!
    Go this weekend for free!
    Bad Axe Girls!
    Bad Axe Girls!
    International Axe Throwing!

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    International Axe Throwing!
    White River Canoe Company

    White River Canoe Company

    3.2
    (93 reviews)
    18.6 mi

    Me and my family come at least once a year for a trip with WRCC. We almost always do individual…read morekayaks as they are easier to handle. The buses and kayaks have always been clean and in good shape. The path is clear and we understand where we are able to stop and where the route ends. At the end the employees (usually young boys in HS) are helpful in pulling you onto shore or helping you up out of the kayak.

    We brought our summer camp here for a field trip with 50 campers, and unfortunately our experience…read morewas extremely disappointing. 1. Check-In Process The woman working the front desk (I believe her name was Cali) was kind and did her best to help us. This review is not about her. The check-in system, however, was incredibly inefficient. Every camper had to come to the desk individually, Cali had to look up their waiver, and they then had to have their name written down by hand. Checking in our group of 50 campers took approximately 35-40 minutes. As a camp, we take trips to many local attractions that require waivers, and we've never had a check-in process take more than about 10 minutes. This system felt unnecessarily slow and completely unprepared for groups. 2. Communication Before our visit, we clearly communicated that we needed to leave by 2:30 p.m. to return to camp for dismissal and that we were looking for roughly a 1.5-hour boat ride. After finally checking in, we were put on a shuttle bus for nearly 20 minutes. During the ride, I asked the driver how long the boat trip would be back to our starting point. She told us it was a three-hour trip. At that point, it was obvious there was no way we'd make it back in time. We had to turn around, ride the bus back, wait while boats were rearranged, and then be transported to another launch point. In total, we arrived around 1:10 p.m. but didn't get onto the water until approximately 3:30 p.m.--over two hours spent waiting with 50 campers in 90-degree heat. We ultimately had to notify parents that camp dismissal would be delayed by about an hour. 3. Customer Service This section is directed specifically at the owner, Andy. The employees we interacted with--the front desk staff, the people helping with the boats, and the bus driver--were all friendly and helpful. They were not the problem. After explaining what had happened, we respectfully requested a 50% refund on our $500+ reservation since a large portion of our day had been spent waiting because of issues that were outside of our control. Rather than showing any understanding or attempting to work with us, Andy was hostile and dismissive. Judging by other reviews mentioning similar interactions, this unfortunately does not appear to be an isolated incident. Overall The boating itself was fun, and the campers enjoyed the time they actually spent on the water. Unfortunately, everything surrounding that experience overshadowed it. Between the inefficient check-in process, the poor communication about scheduling, and the owner's response when we raised legitimate concerns, this ended up being the worst field trip we've had in over five years of running our camp. I would not recommend this location for large groups, and we will not be returning.

    Photos
    Part of our group "Family"
    Part of our group "Family"
    Rough start in the shallow water.
    Rough start in the shallow water.
    Part of the group, "kids"

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    Part of the group, "kids"
    Edna Balz Lacy Park

    Edna Balz Lacy Park

    4.0
    (4 reviews)
    3.8 mi

    During a recent visit to Lacy Park, I was dismayed to learn that for some reason someone had…read morereported this vibrant neighborhood park as closed. It is not closed. It was impacted by the current health pandemic (as was most of the state of Indiana). However, Lacy Park is alive and well and on a recent weekend when I visited it was definitely being utilized. Lacy Park is practically the definition of a neighborhood park. This 2-acre Fletcher Place park is nestled in nicely at the corner of Greer St. and East Street. In fact, it was originally known as Greer Street Park until being named after Edna Balz Lacy in 1995. The park itself was established in 1917. While Edna Balz Lacy may not seem like a familiar name, her impact on Indy is rather profound. She was an Indianapolis native who started off as a teacher in 1972; in 1934, she married Howard J. Lacy II (son of U.S. Corrugated-Fibre Box Company founder Howard J. Lacy). Lacy took over the company from his father in 1952. He passed away in 1959 and Edna took over the company and led it for 24 years. In 1972, it became Lacy Diversified Industries. In 1973, she established the Stanley K. Lacy Foundation in memory of her son. The Stanley K. Lacy Leadership Series is one of is many contributions to Indy and it continues to this day. Edna passed away in 1991. Lacy Park was developed to reflect its diverse heritage. If you notice, its gazebo is painted red, white, and green to reflect the Italian heritage of the area at the time. Along with playgrounds and picnic areas, there's a sand volleyball court along with four bocce ball courts that were contributed by the Italian Heritage Society. The group hosts bocce ball leagues here. Holy Rosary Italian Festival is also located in this neighborhood that is easily within view of Lilly and is close to downtown yet feels like a little bit of a wooded oasis. This is a small neighborhood park that remains as welcoming today as it was designed to be in the early 20th century. It continues to be considered a "family park" - a reflection of Lacy's own emphasis on family including ensuring that her business continued to stay within the family. While this is not really a destination park, for those near downtown needing to get away for awhile this is a perfect place to get away. If you're looking to have a near downtown picnic, Lacy Park is a great place to do so.

    This park is a very small, only covering 2 acres. It does not have a parking lot, but there is a…read moredecent amount of street parking available. The park has a decent gazebo with a picnic table under it. The gazebo could use a coat of paint. There are also a few picnic tables scattered across the park. The grounds could have used a little TLC. I do not know if the parks department has stopped for the season, or if this park was just missed. In the front of the park you will find an adequate sand volleyball court. There is also 4 dirt boccee ball courts near the back of the park. They did not look very inviting though. The park has a small jungle gym with some slides, a larger jungle gym with more awesome slides, a bank of traditional swings, and a bank of toddler swings. The playground is lined with wood chips and the equipment is a bit on the older side. It has definitely seen better days. This park has a history dating back to 1917 when it was known as Greer Street Park. It was renamed the Edna Balz Lacy Family Park in 1995, to honor a notable local businesswoman. Fun fact: One of Indianapolis's first recreation centers was built here at this park. The park has a strong Italian heritage background. The gazebo is actually painted in the Italy flag colors, red, green and white. Also, the boccee ball courts were a gift from the Indianapolis Italian Heritage Society. They hosts spring, summer, and fall bocce ball leagues on those courts. This is an ok park to visit, if you are in the area. But last many of the features, and maintenance of the newer mega parks. It is definitely a gem if you live close by, but is probably not a park that you would drive to to bring the little ones, or run. I saw the park getting most of its use with kids on the playground equipment for a bit and it was also popular with people walking their dogs.

    Photos
    Edna Balz Lacy Park
    Edna Balz Lacy Park
    Edna Balz Lacy Park

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    Garfield Park Burrello Family Center

    Garfield Park Burrello Family Center

    5.0
    (1 review)
    5.5 mi

    The Burrello Family Center is a great place for families to enjoy some indoor recreation!…read more As the mom of a daughter with a disability I have attended a few Special Olympic basketball games here. The facilities are clean.. The courts are in great shape.. The staff is friendly and helpful.. The parking is ample... it's very easy to find And if you are there during the day go out and enjoy the rest of Garfield Park!

    From the owner: Welcome to Garfield Park Family Center!…read more At Garfield Park Family Center, we’re proud to offer a variety of rental options for both indoor spaces and outdoor shelters, perfect for gatherings, events, and family activities. Whether you're planning a birthday party, a family reunion, or a community meeting, our versatile spaces can accommodate your needs. Indoor Amenities: Our facility features an open gym where you can enjoy shooting hoops, playing pickleball, and participating in many other recreational programs. It’s a great place to stay active, have fun, and make lasting memories with friends and family! Outdoor Spaces: In addition to our indoor offerings, we have beautiful outdoor shelters available for rent. These spaces are ideal for picnics, barbecues, or simply enjoying the fresh air in a picturesque setting. Programs and Activities: We also host a variety of programs throughout the year, catering to all ages and interests. From sports leagues to fitness classes, there’s something for everyone at Garfield Park Family Center. Come visit us and discover all that we have to offer. Whether you’re looking to rent a space or join in on our programs, we’re here to help you make the most of your time with us! For more information on rentals and upcoming programs, please contact us or visit our website.

    Photos
    Looking towards the back door
    Looking towards the back door
    A colorful sign!
    A colorful sign!
    The side of the front desk!

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    The side of the front desk!
    Windsor Village Park

    Windsor Village Park

    3.0
    (2 reviews)
    7.4 mi

    When the late Yelper Ken N. first reviewed Windsor Village Park as part of his passion for…read moredocumenting Indiana's parks and landmarks, it was a sad little park. It's improving. This is a relatively small park at five acres. It houses a family center that was established in 1953 and was renovated in 2009. The family center is a 12,000 square foot center that has a fitness room, game room, computer lab, multi-purpose room for rental, outdoor basketball court, indoor gym, patio, seating, and the park includes a covered shelter with short trails. This is definitely a residential park, and the neighborhood around it is definitely dense in population. The park has a food pantry every Thursday from 1-3pm. You can also now play pickleball here. Oh, and the park has a splash pad for the kids. This is definitely not a destination park, however, it serves the neighborhood well. Around 2024, IU Health made a donation that helped to provide some upgrades, safety improvements, and improved trails. If you're in the area, it's a park worth visiting and it's nice to see the improvements from back when Ken N. first let us know about the park.

    Potential. There is a lot of potential at this park. There is a community center built in 2009…read morefor indoor activities including pickle ball. There is a really nice basketball court. There is a decent playground, open space, and a shelter on the west end of the park. But the parks department website says the community center is closed until further notice. The splash park is a concrete slab with a pole sticking out. And on the west end of the park, houses on each of the corners are boarded shut. Although that doesn't mean it is unsafe, it does make me take caution, especially if I had a child with me. So, my advice is to watch the website for updates and hopefully, Indy Parks will come up with a plan to re-establish this park. Review #629

    Photos
    A shelter stands on the west end of the park near the street
    A shelter stands on the west end of the park near the street
    Windsor Village Park mural
    Windsor Village Park mural
    Nice playground away from the street

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    Nice playground away from the street

    Riverside Park - parks - Updated August 2026

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