Best volunteer experience I've had! Not only are they organized, they are efficient, and focused on…read moretheir mission to help as many people as possible. I had heard of Fletcher Place food pantry, but I didn't realize how much this location offers. Check it out: 1. Thrift store. People can come and shop around the store to score clothes, shoes, and household items for free. All clothes have been donated from the community and are sorted in the basement by volunteers. Clothing in the store is nice and any stained clothing is given to Salvation Army. Anything the Salvation Army can't use is given to a company in Canada that turns them into rags. Nothing is wasted and the thrift store staff says that their goal is for people to leave feeling better about themselves. That's why the store is so clean, organized, and friendly. 2. Preschool. There are two preschool classrooms for kids. Not only do they receive education, but teachers will pick out clothing from the thrift store for the children if they are not adequately dressed. Children then get to keep the clothes. There is also a large library that allows students to choose books from (to keep) each week. 3. Kitchen. The top floor has a large multi-purpose room that is often used for meals. Churches come in every day and donate food and cooking ability. No one is ever turned down from receiving food. An average of 120 people are fed every meal. The facility is super nice and always clean- but only with the help of volunteers. The building is also very secure and they always have plenty for volunteers to do. They also have an e-mail newsletter they send out about volunteer opportunities. *There is a big Christmas event in which you take families "shopping" throughout the building to get all necessities and Christmas presents. Very cool. They're looking for help* Check this place out if you've never been. They're doing great things!

This is where you bring donations. Don't take them to the chain donation drop off center where…read moreyour stuff is sold. Bring your clothes, blankets, shoes here, where they will be given away to people that really really need them. They also operate a free food pantry so you can bring food items for needy families. After donating a cart load of stuff, they gave me a receipt for tax purposes. On the way out I also noticed a community garden and produce stand that probably operates in the summer. My wife is a Girl Scout troop leader and they often come here to volunteer, sorting food items and helping to sort and display other donations.

Need a low-cost alternative to other more expensive Indy water parks, you can find it at Indy…read moreIsland! Looking for someplace to take the kids all year round for a low reasonable fee (prices range from 2 bucks to 5 bucks depending on peak vs. non peak). From babies to older children, you'll love Indy Island. There is a wading pool area complete with a playground system and geysers. And, a giant 80 feet slide!! Whoo-hoo. Plus, there are 3 lanes for swimming and a hot tub for adults. I enjoy playing with the kids, or just sitting by the side of the pool and enjoying watching the kids have the time of their life. It's also a great place to throw a birthday party! If you have kids, and looking for local fun - find it at Indy Island. You don't have to drive 60 miles to have a good time!

In Indy water park it smells like bleach when you walk in and the life Gaurd are just so mean and…read morethe blow there whistles for no reason

This community center is a much needed resource and I'm thankful to have it available for everyone…read morein the city! I personally visited as part of a local business fair that supported up-and-coming business owners connect with financial, marketing and start-up needs. This center also has a partnership with IPS and helps students find additional educational help, as well as a safe, quiet place to study. They also help with housing questions, offer a fitness zone, host workshops, advocate for east-side development and more. They're truly wonderful! Currently during COVID19, you can't walk in the offices without a meeting, so I'd suggest calling beforehand to book an appointment.

I visited the John Boner Center on a weekend during COVID to get on-boarded to work for the US…read moreCensus, which means the normal goings-on inside weren't happening. But I was able to look at all the photos and posters on the walls to see all the good things that happen there during the weekday. The John Boner Center offers a variety of community services for Indianapolis residents who need it. Right now, during COVID-19, you cannot just have a walk-in appointment. Please make sure you call ahead and schedule an appointment first, and wear a mask!

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.

We love that they have a multitude of events happening at the community center which can be enjoyed…read moreby residents and even non-residents (like us). We went during the holidays to walk through their lighted trail and found it enchanting. It isn't a long path but lots of fun with arches, reindeer, Santa's and more. The lights extended through the whole common area and were a delight! We also went inside for a bit and saw some great displays. The fitness area was busy but there were many spaces for people to sit or have kids play while waiting on others. This is a great aspect of the community and we are so thankful for their commitment to providing concerts, activities and other community activities.

This is a great place with a lot of variety for my kiddo. We attend the reading class for 0-35…read moremonths old at the library and she loves it. The community center has a lot of ways to stay active and engaged

I love how there are so many new playgrounds and park improvements popping up around Indianapolis…read morelately. Indy Parks continues its upward trajectory by building yet another great playground and community center. Grassy Creek Environmental Education Center and Playground is not only a mouthful to say, but it's a badly needed resource in the far east side of Indy. There's no other playground like this in Indy! There's this huge wooden owl in the middle of the playground, and tucked under his little wooden wings are musical instruments. There's a towering treehouse-looking play structure with a giant tunnel slide and giant regular slide. There's a rope climber, swings, an area for toddlers, accessible playground equipment and lots more. Nature themes have been incorporated into the design of the playground, like real wooden beams and animal tracks printed on the playground structures. The whole play area has a soft ground: either artificial turf or a rubberized surface. Inside the community center, there's a bird-watching room, with a big window looking out onto the bird feeders. There are also photos of the birds you might see, as well as activity sheets. The rest of the community center is classrooms and conference rooms. The intention is that this place will hold classes and camps, but I'm not sure they're up and running yet, because this place just opened last week. The community center has limited hours, but the playground and park is open from dawn to dusk. There's also a trail behind the park that goes around a wetlands area. In the future, the trail is supposed to connect to Grassy Creek Trail, which goes from County Line Road to the east and Mitthoefer Road to the west. This is definitely a must-visit place, even if you only visit the playground.

I came across this building after I took the kids to check out the park. I didn't know if the…read morebuilding was open, so I just tried and gladly it was open. The two workers inside said the building for was nature and activities. She said they have coloring activities, bird watching, and there were animals in Aquarium tanks we could check out. They had a tarantula, toads, frogs, corn snake, and more. We checked out the bird watching area which was cool. The building appears brand new, very clean, had classrooms inside, and restrooms.

The Christian Park MultiPurpose Room has got to be the most hidden gem for event rentals in…read moreIndianapolis. It was actually the original gymnasium for the park before they built a new one in 2004. The rooms is 55' by 30' with original wood floor in great condition. We used it for a little rollerskate photoshoot and the rental is only $45/hr! They have 90 chairs, fourteen 6' tables, five 8' tables, and 3 each of two different sizes of round tables. I want to host a kids birthday party here soon, but honestly, the vibe in the space is so good you could bring in a rental company to do fancy chairs and this would make a killer wedding venue, it's that good. If you also need a kitchen, you can add on kitchen rental for just $25 an hour. There also two small classroom spaces you can rent for 25/40 so you could have a getting ready space.

Parents across Indianapolis need to know about the Well. There's an indoor play place with slides…read moreand climbing. There are cars and bikes and balls and toys - even toys for babies. There are tables to eat at and high chairs to put your kids in. There are *comfy* couches and benches to sit on where you can easily see the entire center. It's an actual dream. And. It's. Free. This is, by far, one of my favorite places to go with my two kids under 3.

This is our first time here and we are loving it! Here for a 2 yr olds party and my 3 year old is…read moreloving every minute! There is a large play space, a great separate room for the party, and plenty of spots for the adults to hang out. My only caution is if you have a 2 or under that isn't quite independent yet - a Friday night would not be the time I would visit.

Check out the new walking/biking trail! It's a comfortable and scenic path that winds around the…read moreeast side of Kennedy Park and extends through Progress Parkway. It's a great way to enjoy the outdoors and is a work in progress. The new trailhead facility is a nice gateway into town and future extensions will start there. For water fun, the Meridian Street pool is awesome, and the splash pad at Blue River Memorial Park is awesome. Concerts and arts events are also held there in season. The shelter is a favorite gathering place and playground equipment is new and entertaining for the kids. The parks department offers many activities throughout the year. Information is available at their office on Tompkins St and website shelbyparks.com. We are currently enjoying the newly lined pickle ball court at Kennedy Park. Check it out and join the fun!

Set nice facility!…read more I love the free walking/jogging track. Also love the free indoor park. I have not used any paid services yet so can't speak to those.

I am extremely disappointed with the Fishers Community Center. It is advertised as a community…read morecenter, but my experience has been far from family-friendly. I have three children who are 12, 14, and 15 years old. They were not allowed to play basketball on the court or work out in the gym while I was exercising. Instead, I was told they had to stay next to me at all times. This means that if I attend a group fitness class, they are expected to wait outside until I finish, which is unreasonable for teenagers who simply want to stay active. What makes this even more frustrating is that no one explained these policies when I signed up for my membership. Had I known that my children would not be allowed to use the basketball court or gym while I exercised, I would have reconsidered joining. I have visited other fitness and community facilities where children and teenagers are allowed to use the basketball court and age-appropriate gym areas while their parents work out. Those facilities truly support families. Unfortunately, that has not been my experience here. For a place that calls itself a community center, these policies do not feel welcoming to families. Because of this experience, I plan to cancel my membership and take my family to a facility that is genuinely family-friendly.