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

We had never been to this park before, I was looking for a trail to walk and this was perfect!…read morePerfect location, has so much to offer. Playground, creek, bridges, basketball court and walking trail. It was beautiful!

Sarah T. Bolton Park is named after the woman largely considered the first lady of Hoosier poetry…read more(I bet you can guess what her name was!). Originally known as Beech Bank, the park was purchased by the city from the Bolton family 1930 and is a nearly 32-acre park that includes picnic areas, a one-acre dog park, play equipment, shelters, restroom facilities, athletic facilities/courts, a creek, and it has a sort of winding topography that makes it Beech Grove's most popular park. It is also recognized as a certified wildlife habitat. In 2012, the baseball diamond was named after Richard "Dick" Templin, a lifelong Beech Grove resident and longtime city council member who managed Beech Grove's American Legion Baseball Team for over 35 years and had scouted for the Philadelphia Phillies. He's a member of the Beech Grove Little League Hall of Fame. I bet you didn't even know that Beech Grove Little League has a Hall of Fame, did you? The park has ample parking and is paved throughout. Generally, it's wheelchair friendly. The paths/sidewalks do have gentle inclines, though I've never had any difficulty navigating. Bolton herself was a poet and women's rights activist whose most known poems were "Indiana" and "Paddle Your Own Canoe." She wasn't well known outside Indiana, though she was quite popular in Indiana. She is buried in Crown Hill Cemetery. There is also a veterans war memorial in Bolton Park that is also wheelchair friendly, though it also has a bit of an uneven surface. Geocachers should also note that Bolton Park has a couple of geocaches within its boundaries, though one, in particular, is definitely a bit tricky to access due to the park's popularity!

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.

Really great place to learn about birds. They have indoor exhibits that are taxidermy and a few…read moreindoor spots you can few wild birds. One overlooking the water and one viewing some feeders that they have. Outdoors they have several live raptors that you can view in their enclosure including a bald eagle. We were lucky enough last time to go on feeding day where they feed the owls, eagles, vultures, and hawks and taught you about the species and why this particular one was there. Very fun and fascinating. Highly recommend stopping here!

The Ornithology Center at Eagle Creek has served bird lovers for over 30 years. The building, once…read morethe private library of J. Lilly, now houses two bird lookouts, a class room and learning centers. Trails for birdwatching are abundant and well marked. Some of the trails are paved, but more of the trails are natural paths through the woods. The staff is engaging, knowledgable, helpful and passionate about birds. Regular bird walks are scheduled throughout the week and take place within the Park boundaries. The staff will let you know where certain birds have been spotted. The second weekend in May, the center sponsors BirdFest. Special events are scheduled during the two-day event. The Park is a major migration path for birds traveling north and south. Hundreds of species pass through the site including many species of warbler. In addition, several large rescue birds are housed adjacent to the center, including owls, a raptor and turkey vulture. The center is a wonderful place to bring novice bird watchers and children. There are several hands-on activities. Plan on spending a couple hours and bring binoculars. The center is accessible by car with a limited amount of parking. The center is free but there is a charge of $7 to enter the park. Restrooms are clean.

Turkey Foot Nature Park is notable for the spectacular virgin sycamore trees that line Eagle Creek…read more A 335 year old downed tree is featured on display in the park. The display marks the rings on the tree trunk with significant events dating back to 1679! The 23 acre park was built along a section of the Eagle Creek just north of Zionsville that was never developed. Today, the park is hidden between housing developments and a Pete Dye golf course. The town of Zionsville maintains the park. On the south end of the park is a paved parking lot which holds 15 cars. The 1.3 mile of trails are also nicely paved making the hike suitable for a stroller or wheelchair. Small unpaved paths along the trail lead down to Eagle Creek where you can get great views of birds and other wildlife including an occasional bald eagle. Along the sycamore-lined trail, native wild flowers bloom throughout the season. There is a lovely footbridge that crosses Eagle Creek. I find the walk tranquil and refreshing. The park is used for running, biking or walking the dog. There is also entry points for canoe/kayak and fishing is allowed in the Creek. There is no charge to use the park.

Turkey Foot Nature Park is a hidden gem! We discovered it via a tip from a friend who likes to take…read moreher kids creek stomping. This is a great park to do that. There is a shallow creek here that's perfect for wading with young kids, and a short hiking trail, and beautiful nature all around. On the bank of the creek, you'll find little shells all around. When we visited, there wasn't anyone else there, so it was very peaceful and quiet. The parking lot is small, so I imagine that Turkey Foot doesn't get too many visitors at one time anyway. There is a pedestrian bridge that was being repaired when we visited, so we couldn't access it, but we were able to see it from the creek.

I've secretly held off on reviewing this place to not make it as known to keep it quiet and less…read morecrowded like most of the other parks are around Indy nowadays. As of April 21, 2025, they'll be charging for entrance, so might as well review it! I've been coming here for years now. It's an amazing spot with one major trail (2.85 miles) and then a shorter out-and-back trail that leads to the water overlook. I frequented this place cause it's not as known, which means less people! One of my go-to places to hike in the city given its ease of access off of the interstate and free admission. Womp. Thanks for providing the free space while it lasted!

The Starling Nature Sanctuary is an 11-acre nature sanctuary within the boundaries of Eagle Creek…read morePark. The sanctuary is named after Scott Starling and is located at the north end of Eagle Creek Reservoir (Pike Township). Starling passed away at the age of 29 after being struck by lightning during a storm. He was a 1977 Pike High School graduate and a Purdue University graduate. At the time of his death, he was working toward a doctorate in marine aquaculture and had served in the Peace Corps. The area was purchased by Indianapolis in 1966 and was officially designated the Scott Starling Nature Sanctuary in 1992. It's managed by Indy Parks. The sanctuary is the setting for a wetlands restoration project led by the Center for Earth and Environmental Science along with Indy Parks, wetland restoration professionals from Spence Restoration Nursery, and IUPUI (now IU-I) students and faculty. The sanctuary has done a great job of maintaining its natural state while also becoming more accessible. The core of the sanctuary is a 2.4-mile trail that is moderately challenging. Initially not very accessible (and trails that branch off can be far less accessible), there's been much done to improve it. The boardwalk section, in particular, is kid-friendly and is a popular yet fairly isolated spot for hiking, walking, and running. In terms of wheelchair users, this is really only a trail for more experienced, independent wheelchair users. I grew up in Pike Township and visited this area a lot in my young adult years, however, now that I live in Lawrence Township I don't get over here as much as I should. Today's visit was a reminder of how much I enjoy it even though there were a couple spots that were pretty difficult to pass in the wheelchair. It's worth the extra effort for sure.

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

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.