We really enjoyed our visit to Tarkington Park! The big draw for me was Teas Me Community Cage…read morebeing right there, and I must say, it was fantastic to have an iced tea while in the sunshine on a sunny day! My mini BFF enjoyed the younger area--the small slide, the tunnels, the little hills. There are so many cool aspects of this park to climb, swing, jump, crawl,spin, and even make music. Next time I'm in this part of town, I'll be happy to stop by again!

My Realtor group assisted with cleaning the park today for Earth Day. We made a difference in four…read morehours. I can't believe how different the park looks. I stopped to grab lunch at Teas Me afterward. I forgot to take before and after photos.

I visited Martin Luther King Memorial Park in early April 2026, right after they finished…read morerenovating parts of it. They expanded the outdoor exhibits, including the Landmark for Peace Memorial, an art piece depicting Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and Robert F. Kennedy with outstretched arms. They also added lights to the basketball court area and new walking paths, and reopened the Visitor Center, although it was closed when I visited. The playground at MLK Park is still relatively new, even though it wasn't a part of the remodel. It has fun things for all ages, like musical instruments, swings, a huge netted climber, a merry-go-round, and a small playground structure for little kids. The ground is that rubber padding that cushions falls. If you like murals, then come on over to this park, because it got it some murals. There's a mural of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and Robert F. Kennedy (of course), but also a mural depicting the "Masters of Disaster," a student chess team from IPS 27 that became national champions in the 1980s. How cool to be good at chess, and also get your mug on a wall in a park!

MLK Park is undergoing a major upscale renovation. I stopped by last week to monitor the progress…read more The park is home to a fabulous sculpture depicting Bobby Kennedy and Martin Luther King reaching out to each other. The sculpture sits on the ground where Kennedy delivered a moving speech on April 4, 1968, after the assignation of MLK. A nearby historical marker describes the importance of the speech. Many visionaries contributed to the Park and Memorial conception, including the Simons Brothers, The Pacers, politicians and artists. The sculpture was designed by Indiana artist, Greg Perry and cast by Daniel Edwards. I find the sculpture exceptional and moving. A modern Memorial Center is under construction just north of the Statue. The Center will house Park staff and exhibits about MLK and civil rights. An MLK quote is inscribed on the Center wall "Hate cannot drive out hate, only love can do that," Several contractors were working during my visit and the Center is behind closed fences during construction. It is hard to say when the Center will open, but I would guess Spring of 2026. A modern and colorful playground is also on the park grounds with climbing structures, swings and more. The made of the playground is soft matting material to improve safety. A swimming pool and basketball courts are also contained on the park grounds. Lots of green space is maintained on the park grounds. Landscaping efforts are in progress between the statue and Center with new walkways and signage. There is free street parking surrounding the park. Park use is free (not sure about pool use though). Several interesting murals of MLK surround the park. I look forward to visiting with my granddaughters when the Center opens. This is a moving Memorial and fabulous resource for the city.

There is a lot of space to run or be involved in group activities at this park. Indy Parks has…read morepartnered with IMPD and share the activity center. The police get a place to meet and use the many sport fields on site while the park gets the benefit of increased park security. The neighborhood is one of the rapidly transitioning areas on the near north side as 16th Street is seeing numerous renovations and reclamations of property. Further development along the nearby Monon Trail is also fueling the change. The park is named after James Thomas Vastine Hill who was one of Indy's first African-American attorneys back in 1882. He rose to the level of deputy prosecutor before retirement. A large mural of JTV Hill has been painted on the side of the activity center. The park has a shelter with picnic tables and a grill. There is a playground with swings and climbing equipment, but the drainage is not that great. The park does have it's own parking lot if you enter from the south (18th Street). Fun fact: 18th Street is paved with bricks along the park's edge. For hours and activities inside the center, you can refer to Indy Parks' website. Review #515

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

At first glance, Lt. Graham Edward Martin Park seems like a relatively small park. As you drive in,…read morehowever, you begin to realize just how big it is (65 acres) and you can't help but notice that major improvements are in process. The park was established in 1979 and named after one of the first African-American offices in the U.S. Navy. After the Navy, he went on to coach varsity football and baseball from 1947-1982 at Crispus Attucks High School. Prior to its current life, it was known as 16th & Fall Creek Park. The park is definitely experiencing significant upgrades right now. The downside to that is that it looks pretty darn awful right now. It has shelters, basketball courts, softball diamonds, tennis courts, and playground equipment. It has a lot of green space. There are significant playground upgrades coming, and the plan on file includes paved, walkable pathways. When I was at the park today, there were a couple IU Health vehicles. Others would join in. It kind of seems like a weird location for a park as it's just west of the Methodist Hospital and it's mostly an industrial area. However, I drove to the back of the park and noticed a pretty decent residential area not far away. If upgrades weren't in the works, this would easily be a 2-star park. Here's hoping the upgrades make a big difference for this promising but seemingly neglected space. In terms of accessibility - there's not much here. Everything right now is pretty faded and worn. There aren't really workable paths, so a wheelchair user would struggle here. Again, however, the upgrades will help and will offer some improved accessibility. I did not see any public restrooms here, however, I didn't wander a whole lot.

The park was originally known as Fall Creek Park. It is over 100 years old and was renamed 10 years…read moreago to Lt. Grade Graham Edward Martin Park after one of the first African Americans who became officers in the United States Navy.  This seems to be the park that time forgot. The park is surprisingly big, covering about 67 acres, and has covered pavilions, basketball courts, playgrounds and lots of grassy field area. There is a fair sized parking lot near the basketball courts and a gravel area to park near the playground. There is also free street parking available. The tennis courts need some severe TLC and are barely playable. The fields are not very well kept either and are in need of some grooming. The park has a full and a half basketball court. They are very nice. They are the best thing about the park. There are benches on the side of the court that you can sit and watch games. The playground is accessible and is a bit worn. There is a swing set, and a decent sized jungle gym. There is also a very metal merry go round there as well. There are two covered pavilions with picnic tables under them at the park. However, grills were noticeably missing. This park is in desperate need of help and really needs some maintenance, grooming, and upgrades. There was no one there while I was there, except for someone playing in the field with their dog. This park has so much potential, but I it is now, I would probably not visit here if I did not live in the adjacent neighborhood.

I have been here a couple times for different events. Each time I have come here I am amazed about…read morehow beautiful this facility is especially with it being brand new. I love that they have this beautiful facility out here in this location for this community. This community center offers a lot for the community which is always a plus and I love seeing this as a social worker. The gym is nice and they have spaces that you can rent out to have an event at. I'm not sure on the cost to rent a space here to hold an event. The employees were all so kind and they will check on you to make sure there is not anything that you need. They have a lovely playground area and there is a swimming pool. Also there is an indoor track here. You definitely should check this place out.

I was Proud to attend the ribbon cutting ceremony of the grand reopening of Frederick Douglass Park…read more& Family Center located in the Martindale Bright-wood neighborhood. The park was originally built during segregation and because of gentrification is now becoming more diverse to reflect the changing landscape of the neighborhood. The renovation costs were upwards of 25 million dollars and will offer everything from technology, the arts and fitness opportunities.

Alfred "Al" E. Polin Park was first established in 1973 as 29th and Talbott Park. It's a small…read moreneighborhood park sitting on two acres of land within the Mapleton-Fall Creek Neighborhood with a handful of amenities: Shelter/Picnic Tables/Benches Playground Equipment Basketball Court (It's my understanding Lilly Endowment funded this) Restrooms (Seasonal Availability) This is most definitely not a destination park - it lacks any unique features and has only minimal parking available around the neighborhood. Essentially, the people who use this park are within walking distance to do so. This park is perfectly fine for what is basically an urban playground for kids. The basketball court has somewhat increased its use as at one point there was talk of tearing down the park to increase parking availability in this area (it's quite limited). The park is named after Al E. Polin (obviously), a lifelong Mapleton-Fall Creek resident who retired as the coordinator for the Quality of Life/Human Relations at Allison Transmission. He served on the Indianapolis Community Policing Board, Drug Free Indiana Commission, and for the Indianapolis Neighborhood Resource Center. He actively worked to develop parks for youth and his work to improve life in Mapleton-Fall Creek contributed to his having the park named in his honor.

The former 29th and Talbot park was renamed for a local citizen who did much to preserve the…read moreneighborhood. As part of the Indy Parks system, the two acre park has a number of amenities like a shelter, a restroom building (open seasonally), park benches and picnic tables, swings and a climbing playground. On the north end of the park is a basketball court. The biggest drawback to the park is finding parking. There is a lot next door, but it is designated for a business with ominous threats posted to anyone else who uses it. So, you have to find street parking if you can (just don't expect any on 29th.) Review #518

I'm honestly amazed I've never reviewed Arsenal Park. I live just east of SoBro, South Broad Ripple…read morefor the uninitiated, and drive by and/or visit Arsenal Park on a pretty regular basis. It's a 13-acre park smack dab in the middle of the SoBro area. This is a definite residential park with parking that's pretty interesting - it's essentially around the perimeter of the park. This is a very wooded park. It's actually a pretty heavily utilized park and there's very few times that I drive by here that I don't actually see people at the park. This park was purchased by the City of Indianapolis in 1928 (Fun fact: Original price was $19,915). It resulted from a desire for a park in the area east of what's known as Meridian Kessler. Early development came from such projects as the New Deal jobs programs and the Works Progress Administration in the 1930s. Arsenal Park offers a variety of activities including basketball courts, a bicycle polo course, a multipurpose field, a splash pad, playground, a shelter and a comfort station. Arsenal Park was purchased by the City of Indianapolis in 1928 following community interest in establishing a park in the area east of the Meridian Kessler neighborhood. Much of the early development of the 11-acre park was done through New Deal jobs programs like the Works Progress Administration in the 1930s. This park offers basketball courts, a bicycle polo course, a community garden, a multipurpose field, a splash pad, playground equipment, a shelter, and a comfort station. This seems to be a park that's always under some sort of development. There's a current master plan for the park and it's a beautiful setting that I don't feel like has ever lived up to its potential. Another fun fact: It's called Arsenal Park because it used to be on Arsenal Avenue (which became Indianola). At one point, it was also called Haverford Park. If you pay attention to this area, there's a Haverford baseball complex down the street. I tend to agree with most of the reviews here. I love this park. It's also great for those who geocache - there's more than one geocache in this park. It's not the most wheelchair friendly park and there's really not a walking path here. However, the playground is fairly accessible. Overall, this is a solid 4-star park that could easily be developed into a 5-star park with some love, attention, and vision. I typically do feel safe in this park, though the bike area can get a bit congested. It's surrounded by houses and pretty open concept.

This is a neat park. It is a bit older, dating back to 1928, but still has a lot of life left. It…read morewas originally named Haverford Park, after Haverford Avenue which borders it on its West side. The park is home to a garden. I believe it is one of those community gardens that are popping up all over the area. It has a table and chairs to sit and looks nice. The park seems well maintained and has adequate parking available. It spans 13 acres and spans a bit of everything. They have a skate park that has seen better days. It sits on what use to be old tennis courts. It looks like it was put together using items that were found laying around. It has rails, ramps, stairs and other pieces that I do not know the name of. It may be makeshift, but it works. There were people shredding (is that still the word) when I was there. The park also have a restroom facility and a couple of shelters with picnic tables under it and grills outside of them. There is also a very nice water park there. It seems relatively new. There are benches over there that are shaded by canopies where parents can sit and watch their littles play. The park also has a lot of green space that could be used for activities such as football, soccer, flying a kite, or having a picnic. The park's full basketball court has seen better days. It will do for those wanting to just throw up a few shots. The court could use a fresh coat of paint though. Of course the park has a playground. It is on a bed of wood chips and consists of a few pieces of older traditional equipment. It is not a very big area. Some of the equipment includes a bank of traditional/toddler swings, an accessible medium sized jungle gym with slides, and a spinning net climber. The splash pad makes this park a destination park for some. It is a nice traditional park that has a lot to offer.