This park is just screaming for help. It is in desperate need of being saved. It has a lot of what you want in a park, but most of it is outdated, worn and falling a part.
There is a bunch of street parking across the street from the park and there is also parking available in the park's family center parking lot.
It is 21 acres and has not been updated since it was constructed in 1931. It was originally called Northwestern Park. The park was the home field of the Indianapolis ABCs, the city's Negro National League team, back in the 1920's. The park was named after Charles T.H. Watkins, a remarkable community leader and a pastor at the historic A.M.E. Bethel Church.
The park has 2 horse shoe pits, or at least areas formally known as horseshoe pits. The pits are overrun by grass, leaves and weeds and they do not have the post you throw the horseshoes on.
The playground has some outdated equipment that includes traditional swings, a net climbing pyramid, a regular net climb and a jungles gym with slides. The equipment is pretty old/worn, as I mentioned. The playground area is lined with wood chips.
There are two tennis courts at the park, but one of the court's net is missing. The court was packed with leaves and in desperate need of repair. You must really need to satisfy your tennis fix if you play on this court.
There are also two basketball courts. They both have some decent rims, and backboards, but the court themselves are in desperate need of repair.
You will find a picnic shelter here with picnic tables under it and a few picnic tables under a tree.
The green space and fields are horrible. They are asking for ankles to be broken. it is very uneven and hard. It has so many divots. There is a field with football uprights on each end a two fields with backstops. As I mentioned though, I would make sure I was up on my health insurance if I played there.
Lastly, there is a hopscotch area near the family center. It looked pretty good as far as hopscotch goes. It look relatively new.
The city really needs to invest some money in this park and give it some much needed updates. It definitely has potential, but I would avoid this park if possible as it is now. read more