Rev. Charles R. Williams Park is Indy's latest public park. Named after the late Indiana Black Expo…read morepresident and the founder of Indy's Circle City Classic, Rev. Charles R. Williams Park resulted from an over $2 million partnership between a Land and Water Conservation Funds Grant matched by Indy Parks. The park features horseshoe courts, new playground equipment, a picnic shelter, an open lawn area, a perimeter loop trail, and a connection to the Monon Trail. The space also offers a universal expression swing, rubberized surfaces in a variety of colors and patterns, an arch basket swing, a sensory cove, musical equipment, and more. The park is located within a residential area and is relatively small at about 7 acres. Parking is clearly defined, though this is very much a neighborhood park rather than a destination park. Rev. Charles R. Williams Park was officially named in 2015, though it's actual development has taken several years. The resulting park may not be Indy's fanciest park, however, it is a fine legacy for Rev. Williams's long history of community work in Indianapolis. With an official ribbon-cutting on 9/20/23, Rev. Charles R. Williams Park honors a man who worked tirelessly to improve the lives of Indy's African-American residents. He became Black Expo president in 1980, initially as a volunteer before a Lilly Grant began funding staff in 1983. Rev. Williams served as Special Assistant under Mayors Lugar and Hudnut and was instrumental in the city's first observance of Black History Month. He also organized the first Indy Jazz Fest in 1989. An ordained minister, he provided leadership for several organizations and received a myriad of community awards. He passed away from cancer in 2004. If you get a chance, I'd definitely check out this latest addition to the Indy Parks network of neighborhood parks.

Brown's Corner Park is a 3.22 acre park that is, quite accurately, a corner park existing at the…read morecorner of East Washington Street and Emerson Avenue. The park is named after 2ndd Lt. Hilton Brown, who as a young boy would play Army in the area. Lt. Brown ended up being killed in France during World War I. As Ken N. noted in his review, there's a plaque in the park that explains who Lt. Brown is along with one honoring the life of painter William Forsyth. The park has no amenities. It is adjacent to Pleasant Run and does tie into the trail. The park recently experienced some clearing out of its wooded area due to a homeless encampment that existed within the park area. There's a short turn lane here to access East Washington. This is adjacent to a residential area and also can easily access two gas stations directly across the street. This is certainly not a destination park, however, it does sit on the edge of Irvington and definitely recognizes some Irvingtonian history. While the Kin Hubbard Memorial is directly across from Brown's Corner, it is actually a separate park. There's no real reason to stop here unless you're like Ken - who had a passion for documenting Indiana's parks as part of his Yelp involvement - or like me and simply pass it on a daily basis to and from work. I'd probably give it a 3-4 in terms of access. You can fairly easily park in the residential area if you want to visit. There are curb cuts here, however, the park does have a bit of a rolling landscape with the exception of the easy to use trail that goes through it.

This small park lies on a triangular piece of land at the corner of Washington and Emerson. The…read morepark is named after Hilton U Brown, a field artillery lieutenant who died in the battle of the Argonne in World War I. The park has no amenities other than a small drive through lane for parking if you are headed westbound on Washington Street. Most of the park is wooded along the Pleasant Run river. A small plaque is on site to tell visitors who Lt Brown was. A second marker can be found in the park. It is for painter William Forsyth, one of the Hoosier Group around the turn of the 20th century who lived and had a workshop in a home diagonally across the street from the park. Unfortunately, the home was destroyed long ago and only the marker is left to remember the significance of the works painted there. Review #557

I was wheeling the Monon Trail from Indy to Carmel today and came across the Vera J. Hinshaw Park…read moreand Preserve. This is a 11.73 acre greenspace/undeveloped nature preserve just north of the Monon South Trailhead at East 96th Street. So, yes, this is part of Carmel's park system. The preserve includes several mature, high-quality trees - hickory, walnut, black cherry, and oak. There a definite effort for restoration in this area and more invasive species of plants have been removed. The park is a bit newer. It's next to the preserve and was recently acquired by the park system with joint management between Carmel-Clay parks and Sunrise on the Monon HOA. There's a small loop, a pond, and a shelter. There is, of course, also a path that allows for direct connection to the Monon Trail. The preserve is technically on Windpump Way (I'll confess that the 12-year-old in me giggles at this). However, it's easily and directly accessed from the Monon Trail. I'd remembered this area, however, it's much nicer and bigger than the last time I came this way on the trail. There's parking at the trailhead (along with public restrooms - thank you, Carmel). So, this is a definite easy spot. While I'd not call it a destination area, it's definitely worth a stop if on the trail. Carmel does a really nice job of caring for areas like this (unlike a certain city that I live in) and it's definitely quite nice. This area of the Monon is well paved, though there are some gentle inclines and declines worth noting. This preserve itself is completely flat and a great place to enjoy nature and get some exercise.

This preserve is located off the Monon Trail at the Indianapolis and Carmel border, just north of…read morethe 96th Street Monon Trail parking lot. (You know, that area that used to have the memorial to Pirate Cat! If you know, you know.) To access it, your best bet is to park at the parking lot at 96th Street (it's also called the Monon Greenway South Trailhead), then walk north up the Monon Trail about 200 to 300 or so steps. Walk through the tunnel, and you'll see a mailbox up ahead. That's where the Vera J. Hinshaw Preserve is located! It's a big, open space with lots of grass, a paved walking trail, a fountain and pond, and now they've recently built a shaded atrium area. It's a nice spot to take a break if you're walking on the Monon Trail in this area. There aren't any benches or even a trash can, but at the entrance of the preserve, there's a brick planter that you can sit on. I've also seen people fly kites in the grass. There's a neighborhood beyond the preserve. Surrounding the preserve are big, mature trees -- hickory, walnut, black cherry and oak. This is a nice little spot along the Monon Trail, and you can't miss it if you're in this area.

Beckwith Memorial Park falls under the umbrella of Indy Parks and is located in what is known as…read morethe Martindale Brightwood neighborhood. The park was established in 1970 and is a smaller park at 5.24 acres. It's pretty much the definition of a residential park - it is located between the Blackburn Terrace Housing Development and the Wheeler Boys & Girls Club. For those who know Indy history, this park is named after Frank Beckwith, an Indianapolis attorney and civil rights advocate whose parents had grown up as slaves. He became the first African-American to run for President in a primary. The park is pretty simple, though it is pretty well maintained. It has playground equipment, football fields, basketball courts, and a shelter. As Ken N. noted, this is really most logically accessed through the housing development - and, yes, there are still speed bumps galore. I was only here briefly as there's simply not a whole lot to do. It's not a destination park. It's genuinely developed to serve this neighborhood - and for the most part, it seems to do that well. I have a similarly designed park not far from my home, however, the park by me is a little bit too hidden for my liking. This park has strong visibility so that parents can keep track of their kids. Overall, this is a solid mid-range park that serves its neighborhood well. However, for those seeking a more destination park or a park with more features this definitely isn't it.

This park is one I would like to give a higher rating, but because it is located where the only…read moreaccess is by going through an apartment complex loaded with speed bumps every 100 feet or so, I found it easier to get lost than to find the park! I was driving around 30th and Keystone and couldn't find an entrance from either main street, so I angled northeast on Baltimore Avenue and drove by the main entrance to the complex. I saw 32nd and turned toward the direction of the park and got caught in the maze of turns, angled buildings and bumps. (I would hate to have to get out of here in a hurry!) Anyway, I found the park and it appeared to be in good condition with new basketball courts, a playground and a single shelter. There was a large trash spill from one of the trash barrels, but that should be an easy fix for the parks department or the neighbors. But I have enough trouble dodging potholes so going through the endless speed bumps make me think I would rather move on to one of the other parks unless I lived here. Review #693

Known as a pocket park with a purpose, this is a small park nestled away in the Hawthorne…read moreneighborhood. It is literally behind 2 houses. It dates back to 2013, and was created after receiving a Project Green Space Grant from KIB.You can find parking in front of one of the houses, but keep in mind that parking is only allows on one side of the street. It is a small art park, that use to be an abandoned lot that was full of illegally dumped trash and furniture and drug paraphernalia. The first thing that yo notice when you see the park is it's bright yellow 1964 Pontiac Bonneville sitting vertical. You will also find bench seating and a picnic table around the car and a fire pit with some stump seating around it as well. The fence is painted with a rainbow version of the city's skyline. In addition to serving as a place to display public art, the park serves as a place that local residents can garden. There are also some fruit trees there. You will also find this home to many species of local native vegetation. Events are hosted at the park throughout the year such as Art in the Park. So, outside of one of these special events, you probably will not spend a lot of time at this park. It is however, a nice place to see and has a wonderful backstory about a neighborhood coming together and doing something positive in their community. And plus you get to see some cool public art (for free) and it provides for some awesome photos.

This used to be an abandoned lot, and now it's a beautiful space for the community. You gotta love…read morethe great things that can happen when residents come together to make their neighborhood better. Purpose Park is a pocket park in the Hawthorne neighborhood. It's on a quiet, residential street, and you would probably drive right by it, except for the fact that there's a yellow 1964 Pontiac Bonneville planted right in the the ground at the entrance of the park. It's a photo op for sure, but also practical: The bottom of the car has been smoothed and is used as a projection screen for neighborhood movie nights. It's a small little park, but it serves the local residents by being a place to plant vegetables (there is a raised bed community garden here). There are also fruit trees and grape vines that surround the park. There's a casita that's used for community performances. There are wooden stumps that circle a fire pit that the neighbors use for summertime campfires. According to Purpose Park's Facebook page, this pocket park is a meeting area for community events, such as Easter egg hunts and other gatherings. I love pocket parks so much, and this little one is a great addition to Indianapolis' amazing community spaces.

While I was pleased to see the October 20, 2025 re-opening of Hazel Landing Park in Carmel, I was…read moreeven more excited with the debut of the new Bur Oak Bridge. While I've had my issues with Carmel, the truth is this is a city that does its landmarks well and that includes bridges. The Bur Oak Bridge spans 500 feet across the White River. It's 14-feet wide and is designed for both pedestrians and cyclists (or, in my case, wheelchairs). What's cool here? The Bur Oak Bridge connects Carmel and Fishers by also connecting Hazel Landing Park (Carmel) and Heritage Park (Fishers). It also serves as a connector for Monon, Nickel Plate, and Big 4 Trails. This thing is honestly beautiful to look at, constructed very nicely, and super friendly to users. The Bur Oak Bridge was reportedly named after input from Native American tribes and reflects the nearby presence of several bur oak trees. The bridge was an $11 million project. It was a collaborative effort between Clay Township, Carmel Clay Parks & Recreation, Hamilton County, Delaware Township, and the City of Fishers. While I'd seen it a couple times before the recent snowy weather hit, I had the chance to stop by this week and check it out even in the snow (and people were still using it). Beautiful bridge and I can't wait to use it again once the weather improves.

This is a small pocket park located in Westfield. It was established in 1995 and is dedicated to…read morelifelong resident of the city, Roy Hadley. Hadley served as a town trustee from 1947 to 1954 and was selected as one of Westfield's Citizens of the Century at the Sesquicentennial Celebration in 1984. The park is less than two-tenths of an acre, but is in very good shape. You can tell that the city maintains it. It is pretty simple and is basically a place of relaxation and reflection. There are not amenities here. It is pretty basic and consists of brick paved walkways, some benches, a few planters/gardens, and a nice Pergola with a bench under it. If you look, you will also see a bronze plaque explaining the city's significance as part of the underground railroad. It is a nice park. Very well maintained. It is small and simple. There is free street parking nearby and there is a lot across the street that you can park in as well. This is not a destination park, but a decent stop if you are in the area with time to pass.

It is basically a little island in the middle of an intersection or the center of a large…read moreroundabout, depending on how you look at it. There is a small fountain in the dead center of it with little paths leading up to it from all 4 roads. It's a nice little neighborhood hangout for kids and nature lovers alike. Loads of trees, the fountain, some benches, a bust and a historical marker. Irvington host a few events on this circle, my favorite being the Spooky Hollow generally on Thursday night before the Halloween parade. The winners of a student spooky story contest get to have their stories read. During 'Intermission" you can often see a dance performance of the witches aka Black Hat Society of Irvington.

Irvington Circle Park, which has also been known as Irving Circle Park, has been part of the…read moreIrvington area since 1870 but officially established as a .1 acre park in 1904. In the early 20th century, it became known as a much more wooded area with quite a few trees the park underwent a renovation after it had largely declined in condition by the 1960s. This included improving the fountain and planting more trees. This park exists at the corner of Audubon and University in a neighborhood that housed the original location of Butler University. Now, it's largely adjacent to a 3-location strip center and within walking distance of Coal Yard Coffee. It primarily consists of flower beds, trees, natural sitting areas, and a bust of American author Washington Irving ("The Legend of Sleepy Hollow"), an appropriate author for this neighborhood that is noted for its haunted locations and Halloween festival. There are no true "amenities" here, though if you look closely you will see a brick paver program for people who sponsored the plaza. The park is also right off of the growing Pennsy Trail. It gives trail users a great place to stop for lunch or ice cream (Heartbreaker) or a baked good (Landlocked Baking Company) or a drink (Strange Bird). Friends of Irving Circle Park is a non-profit established to help maintain the park. While it's obviously a small park, it does host small events throughout the year - especially during the summer. This includes concerts. Geocachers should also note that there's a fairly easy to find geocache here. The 19th century Castle House is about a block away (and also has a geocache extremely close to it). Irvington was originally considered an Indianapolis suburb. It was annexed in 1902 and became part of Indianapolis. It was established by Sylvester Johnson and Jacob Julian. The two felt like it looked like Sleepy Hollow and decided to call the area Irvington. The park, as a result, is named after the established neighborhood. This little park is a great place to rest, renew, and enjoy one of Indy's more unique neighborhood areas. You can spend time on the Pennsy and/or visit one of the area businesses. There's lots of history to be found within walking distance and the streets in Irvington are nearly all named after American cultural icons.