Despite the fact that Wes Montgomery Park is only a few minutes away from my house, I'd never…read morereally taken the time to stop and check it out until recently. This eastside park is located at 34th & Hawthorne and is named after Wes Montgomery (I bet you could figure that out, eh?), universally regarded as one of the greatest guitarists in jazz history who was born in Indy in 1923 and died at the age of 45 while still living in Indy. He picked up two Grammy Awards and had three other nominations including one posthumously in 1969 for "Willow Weep For Me." The park is a rather impressive park, though it has been plagued by acts of violence including homicides in 2021 and in August 2022. A 2017 homicide, 18-year-old Deante Williams, was in broad daylight. Wes Montgomery Park is a 37-acre park that features a small spray park, baseball diamonds, several basketball courts, a public pool, swing sets, a shelter house, and a medium-sized greenspace area that feels larger than it is. Like all public parks in Indy, parking is free and fairly abundant here. As a fun fact, the splash pad is designed in the shape of a guitar to honor its namesake. Wes Montgomery Park does offer some accessibility features in its park called the Boundless Playground. This was added in 2011 and offers children with disabilities the opportunity for recreation alongside nondisabled children. It's quite cool, though it seemed a wee bit worn (as did much of the park, though it's important to note that I did visit during the winter and not during the height of playtime). Overall, I'd consider Wes Montgomery Park a good but not great park. It's certainly not a destination park, however, it serves this neighborhood well. While it's important to be aware of the potential for violence, for the most part the park is well used and often the subject of service projects from area companies. I never felt unsafe during my time here and love that the park honors the memory of one of Indy's music greats.

The park is named after Indianapolis native, Grammy-award winning musician John Leslie "Wes"…read moreMontgomery. This is a very nice park that spans 37 acres and has a little bit of everything. The park has a very nice playground area that is lined with wood chips and rubber matting (which is in very bad shape). There are benches along the perimeter where parents can sit and watch their littles play. The playground has some very good equipment which includes a jungle gym with a bunch of slides, a rock climbing wall, and monkey bars. The jungle gym is accesible and has a ramp that allows littles with disabilities to play on it. There is also a spinning net pyramid, a climbing net and a bank of swings with traditional swings, toddler swings and a disability swing. It is a very nice playground and is shaded by a bunch of trees. There is a picnic shelter with picnic tables under it and a grill outside of it right off of the playground area. The park has an awesome splash pad with benches around that parents can sit. And there is another shelter with picnic tables and and grill next to the splash pad. There are also some picnic tables scattered around the park's ground's, most of which are shaded by trees You will find three full and 2-half basketball courts at the park. They are in OK shape. They are a bit older. The rims and backboard are in fair shape and the court itself needs a little TLC. The park's 3 baseball fields are in decent shape and are well maintained. The park as a whole is very well maintained and you can tell that the landscaping maintenance is on a regular schedule. The grass was cut and the trash was removed when I was there. I am not sure how safe the park is though. A quick internet search showed that someone was shot there a year ago. There was also some sketchy people just parked in their vehicles hanging out when I was there. In addition to all of park's amenities, there is a ton of green space pockets that are suitable for picnics, playing catch, a football game, soccer or flying a kite. This is a very nice park that is well maintained. It is definitely worth a visit. You can spend hours here, especially in the summer when the splash pad and pool are open.

This park is 88 acres and has many features. The first thing that you will notice as you enter the…read morepark is the Southern Hancock County Veterans Memorial, a memorial dedicated to the Veteran heroes that called Hancock County home. It is a well done and fitting tribute to those men and women. There is no problem parking at this park. It has a decent sized private parking lot. The park also has a basic dog park that is basically two large fenced in areas with some seating. To the best of my knowledge, the use of the dog park does not require a membership, which if true, is nice. The park is home to a decent paved trail. My only issue with it is that it is a down and back trail and not a circular one. It runs along the side of the park and is about 2 miles, round trip. There are a few benches along the trail for people to use and take a load off. The trail also has some fitness equipment along its path to use that has bee there for over 12 years. You will find a picnic shelter at this park, with picnic tables under it and a grill just outside of it. The shelter and picnic tables are a bit aged and could use a little TLC. It is available to be reserved through the county, if you are looking. The park's playground area is on a bed of old wood chips and has some older equipment that consists of a pebble bridge, a spiral slide, rocker bees, a rock climbing wall, a jungle gym with a spiral slide, canopies and bridges, a bank of traditional/toddler swings, a pyramid net climber, and a see-saw. They have benches along the area's perimeter for caregivers to sit and watch their little ones, while their little ones play. The playground equipment is serviceable, but you can tell that it has been since 2010. A 9-hole disc golf course was also installed at the park in 2010 as part of a Boy Scout project. There is no shortage of field or green space at this park. The park has a multi-use field with a bunch of soccer nets spread out on it. There is also a backstop on the field as well, that could be suitable for sports such as baseball, softball, or kick ball. The open field could be used for just about any field activity including football, soccer, field hockey, flying a kite, playing catch, or having a picnic. The park does not have a rest room facility. You will see a porta-potty by the dog park, just off of the parking lot though. Feel free to use that. Anyway, the park is relatively well maintained, but there was a little trash and junk around the shelter though. On a positive note, the grass was well groomed. Does it need a few updates and new equipment? Yes, but it works for now. It is a decent park to pass some time and hang out at, if you are in the area. I probalbly would not call it a destination park though.

One of the first things you notice at the entrance of the park is that there is a new installation…read moreof the Southern Hancock County Veterans Memorial going in. The memorial has flags and some nice monuments and a bunch of loosely laid bricks with veteran names on them. I hope that these bricks will be installed properly when the memorial is completed. The rest of the park has a dog park, a playground, something that looks like it might be a frisbee golf game (I honestly haven't seen anything like it), and space for sporting events. And poor drainage. So much so that even after two days since the rains cleared out, much of this former field had standing water. The playground was surrounded by water, so I can't see this being an ideal condition for most visitors. I guess if you want to use this park, you hope for a drought and then there is a lot you can do. I will give it a bonus star out of respect for the memorial, but the rest of the park needs some drainage and attention. Review #780

Sweet walk down memory lane to read my old "pre-children" review of this park now that we have a…read more3.5 year old and 9mos.old in the house. This park ended up being quite the refuge during COVID and a daily spot for my son and his nanny. From the covered seating area with outdoor grills to the playscapes for various ages, there's a little something for everyone here. Not to mention the adorable Northside Lights festivities featuring Santa each year for the neighborhood celebration.

For sentimental reasons alone, I'm inclined to offer this Old Northside park a five-star rating…read moredespite minor reservations around accessibility. Shawn Grove Park is managed by the Old Northside Foundation. Located at 1401 N. Alabama, the park was created to memorialize 24-year-old Shawn Grove, a Riley Hospital nurse who was shot to death outside a nearby Jack's Pizza while resisting a purse grab. I'm not sure you could better honor a nurse than to create a park such as the Shawn Grove Park. It's got two playgrounds - one is considered a toddler playground and is fenced in and the other is for older kids. This is definitely a small park - I'd say it's slightly larger than a pocket park, however, it's definitely not a destination park. It's a true neighborhood park that's ideal for gathering and ideal for small children. It's well-maintained. Parking around here is fairly easy (a bit tougher for wheelchair users since it's primarily street parking and the street is a bit narrow). The surface in the toddler area is fun and seems to be designed with toddler safety in mind. It's sort of comprised of mosaic rubber bits. There's swings and slides older kids. There's a covered area with picnic tables, bike racks, and fun rides. I don't get to the Old Northside a whole lot, but as someone who's been a lifelong activist in violence prevention this is a place I stop whenever I do. I'm grateful that even after all these years it continues to be well-maintained. In terms of my minor accessibility concerns - these would be the difficulty of street parking, the slightly uneven surface, and the lack of adaptive features. However, curb cuts are solid here, the features are simple enough that they'll work with a lot of kids (with supervision), and there's too much to love about this park to give it anything less than five stars.

This is touted as Greenfield's very first inclusive playground. It is named in memory of the…read moregrandson of the city's mayor, Chuck Fewell. who passed away with a rare genetic disorder, Hunter's Syndrome. The park opened in June 2022 and is very, very nice. You will find this park just southwest of Greenfield Central Jr. High School and just off the Greenfield Baseball Park. There is more than ample parking available, but it could become tight during a baseball tournament though. One thing to keep in mind is that this is purely a playground. There is no green space, there are no trails, nor are there any tennis courts or basketball courts. I also did not see any restroom facilities, but that does not mean that they are not there. They have a decent sized picnic shelter with picnic tables under it. It is very nice. The play area has the rubbery mud free surface that is being used on most new playgrounds. The equipment is first class. There is a huge jungle gym with slides and a climbing net. There is a bank of swings with expression and traditional swings. You will also find congos, a saucer swing, a new age merry go round, and a sit and spin. Some of the equipment, including the jungle gym has a built-in shade and I love that they have placed benches around the play area where parents can sit and watch their littles. This inclusive playground features safety swings for children of all abilities, wheelchair ramps, and sensory stimulation such as musical instruments and roller-bar slides. It is first class and is in excellent shape. It still has that new car smell, so to speak. It is relatively small but has enough equipment to keep the littles entertained for s bit. This is a nice play option for those looking for a play space in Greenfield. I really like this playground and its inclusive theme. Many children with disabilities are left out of the planning of play spaces, but this one was actually designed with them in mind. I recommend checking this place out.

This is a small park (1.7 acres) that is located right off of the Monon Trail. There is no private…read moreparking lot, just free street parking available in front of the park and in the nearby neighborhood. It is touted as one of the best neighborhood parks in Indianapolis. The park is relatively small but has a lot of amenities. There is a medium sized shelter with picnic tables under it, a very nice sand volleyball court, a bathroom facility , benches and a playground area. The playground area is decent. It is on a bed of wood chips and has older, but well maintained equipment. The limited equipment consist of a medium sized jungle gym with a couple of slides and a tunnel. There is also a bank of traditional swings, a bank of toddler swings, and a rocking plane. The location is prime as it has a paved path that leads from the nearby neighborhood, through the park, and onto the Monon Trail. It is a decent park, if you are in the area. It is definitely not a destination park. This would be a nice park to host a small event, like a birthday party or sand volleyball game. It is also a popular spot for joggers and cyclists to take a break while trekking the Monon Trail. There is not much green space for much else. All in all, this is a decent park and I like it, even though it is limited and not much space.

This park reminds me of the neighborhood park I grew up next to. It's quaint and has everything…read morethat you need. I personally love that it's tucked away in a quite neighborhood so that there's not constant traffic zooming in and out. My office loves coming here in the summer to play volleyball after work. From what I can see, a lot of families bring their kids here so the playground is adequate and there is a shelter that you can rent to cook out and host a small party. My favorite part about Canterbury is that it backs up/adjacent to the Monon Trail, I always see a few people I know running/walking their dog while I'm at the park. There's also plenty of smaller trees around that you can put a hammock up to enjoy the day. It's also a short walk to a bunch of neat places like Locally Grown Gardens, Gallery Pastry Shop, Tiny House Treats, Liter House, Mama Carollas, Diavola, etc.

River Heritage Park in Carmel sits right along the White River and is SO much more than just a…read moreplayground. There's one main playground with: * Swings * Climbing structures * Spinning equipment * An interactive game on a rubber surface * Two shaded picnic tables But here's where this park gets really fun Take the hard, rubberized trail through the park and you'll find three mini play areas scattered along the trail. And THIS is where you'll find the zipline! I've checked out a lot of parks around Hamilton County, and this is one of the longest and fastest free ziplines I've found. There's also a slide just past the zipline, and if you keep walking, you can make your way to White River overlooks. A few things to know: The main playground doesn't have much shade There is shade along the trail Bathrooms are available The rubberized trail is smooth and much easier on your joints than mulch or uneven trails It's basically a playground + mini playground adventure + scenic walk + White River views all in one. And did I mention the zipline is FREE?!

Oh gosh! This park is completely different than when I last reviewed it eight (eight!) years ago…read more River Heritage Park underwent a complete makeover in 2022, and it's so much better. We used to call this "the bee sting park" because this is the park where my son got stung by a bee. But River Heritage looks so different that my children forgot all about "bee sting park" and have fully embraced this new park because it's so much fun. What I especially love about River Heritage Park is that it encourages walking and exploring. There is a fun playground right off of the parking lot, but the magic lies beyond this area as you walk deeper into the park. A little ways away, you'll find another area with playground equipment like a netted swing and other fun things. Walk a little farther down the path and you'll see even more playground equipment, including two ziplines. Each of these areas have benches for parents or caregivers to sit and enjoy watching their kids play. If you walk even farther down the path, you'll find an area with a few picnic tables set among the woods. Walk even farther, and you'll find a secret (OK, not-so-secret) fort made out of big logs and branches! I'm proud to say that my children helped build it, and it's really cool. The walking path goes in a loop all around the park. The path is wide and smooth, and can easily accommodate strollers and wheelchairs. It's also made of a rubberized material and is a little bouncy, which I've been told is easier on the joints. If you visit this park during the off season (approximately November through mid-April), the restrooms will be locked, but there are port-a-potties available. The parking lot is still in a state of transition. The parking lot is dirt, and I imagine it would be messy when it rains.

Although the park may be quite useful for local parties and celebrations, the condition of the park…read moreduring my visit left me with a less than favorable review. Yes, there are multiple shelters and there was a small playground, but the condition of the wood on the baseball dugouts and a mini shelter by the playgrounds were worn and needed some attention. The park is flat with a gravel driveway that leads back on the north end with no clearly designated parking area (If it is like my hometown, folks probably pull off onto the grass.) That's okay as long as it doesn't rain. All the playground surfaces were stone based which aren't the most kid friendly surfaces available either. I think that the park could just use some TLC and a bit of cash to improve the condition of some of the pieces I've mentioned. Having seen parks all across central Indiana, I've seen how great a park can be when it is important to the community to view it as an asset. Review #863

This is a very large nice park for such a small town. The entire park can be rented for special…read moreevents such as graduation, birthday, family reunions, parties, or sections of the park can also be rented. This is the only community park in Morristown, and it's actually a little bit north of town over the hump where the railroad tracks are, and you will see it on your left side, and cornfields to the right, ha. There is a children's play ground area, a soccer field, softball field, golf driving range, public restrooms, and power hookups at various locations. There are lots of open flat grass areas for all types of other fun activities. There are 3 shelters that include; charcoal grill, picnic tables, lights and power. There is an Amphitheater / stage that is great for live bands, as there is plenty of grass seating in front of the stage area that will accommodate many people. Park Shelters are available for rent: $50 per day with a $25 refundable damage deposit. $50 per day for use of the Amphitheater Stage area per day with a $25 refundable damage deposit. No charge to County organizations for shelter but a $25 refundable damage deposit is required. Donations from the local Veterans keep the park looking great. The park is open from dawn until dusk daily, and free to use the amenities during those hours. There is also a concession stand that sells snacks during special events such as league softball games. There is plenty of parking off the driveways in the grassy areas. I have been here for large parties with live bands, catered in food, drinks, etc and it was a great time!

Orange Park is a "blink and you'll miss it" kind of park that falls under the umbrella of Indy…read moreParks. It's not a park that I'd have gone out looking for, however, I was on the southside resolving some errands and, quite honestly, got lost coming back. I looked over at one point and there was Orange Park. So, I stopped to check it out. Orange Park is definitely a neighborhood park with a relatively small playground, some benches, some green space, and that's about it. You can find parking along the street, but this is far from a destination park with nothing else to really do. Orange Park was established in 1993. It did receive an upgraded playground in 2024, though it tends to be pretty modest even after the upgrade. This park is a one-acre park. It's a little bigger than a pocket park, but not by a whole lot. The park is on the Southeastside of Indy. The park's playground targets kids aged 2-12. There's definitely nothing for teens here. For what it is, Orange Park is perfectly fine. There's no reason to go out of your way to visit it. However, it serves its purpose for those who live in this area.

Southeast of Fountain Square is a neighborhood playground and open space park. Located on Orange…read moreStreet, it is easy to understand how the park got its name. There are a few pullover spaces along the street for convenient parking if you are headed eastbound. The park's south perimeter is lined with mature trees for shade, but the park itself doesn't have any shade by the play areas. There are some benches, but no shelter is available. The playground has a few remaining pieces including a small fort, some swings, and a climbing structure. As I moved around the park, I could see timbers remaining from some forgotten purpose that had the equipment removed and has become reclaimed by the lawn. Although there isn't a lot to draw visitors here currently, it is hoped that as the area becomes home to more younger people wanting to live near Fountain Square, the park will get some needed attention to make it an asset for the neighborhood. Review #2862