Sam Peden Community Park is a good-sized park that needs more trees. There's lots to love about Community Park. The walking path is long and well-kept. If you need an easy path, there's the loop around the large duck and goose pond. If you want something a little more challenging, the path leading back to the 4H Fair Grounds has a decent elevation and optional stairs. There are multiple playgrounds for kids and a few areas for sports and games. Nearby are also shelters that can be reserved for events. Parking is plentiful and in multiple spots. There is also a growing effort to install more public art, a reading path, and some free-range meadow grasses. I'm hopeful that the trees grow back after the building of the Academy apartments and that more are planted around the path to provide more shade during the hot summer months. But a great, local park! read more

After living in New Albany for several years, we discovered the magic that is Sam Peden Community Park (or just Community Park if you grew up around here.) The park boasts loads of amenities in a well-kept landscape. For bird lovers: there's a gorgeous pond which is visited by a lot of ducks, geese, and local bird friends. There's a great 1.2 mile walking track that circles the park, offering views of the pond and a walk and read (single book pages at stops along the trail) for folks with kiddos. They have two playgrounds, four sheltered areas, restrooms (although I've only seen them open twice - pro tip: go to Aldi across the street from the park if they're closed - fast, easy, and clean!), a few short nature trails, green space, a sand volleyball court, soccer fields, a basketball court, and a heck of a lot of tennis courts. I'm new to roller skating and the tennis courts here are a dream come true! Yes, this may not be their intended purpose, and yes, one tennis player one time may have gotten a bit peeved BUT there are so many courts, you don't have to feel guilty about taking away anyone's ability to play tennis. During the week, I've never found the park too crowded. In the early mornings, virtually empty minus some walkers and tennis players. In the evening, loads more folks but still has never felt too crowded, plus LOTS of dog walkers which always makes me excited to see so many sweet puppy faces strolling around. Basketball games are generally happening. On the weekends, this place does get busy. Shelters are available for rent, so there's often parties taking place, we've seen tennis tournaments, soccer games, and more but with how large the park is, we've never felt overcrowded or like we've lost our personal space and have always been able to find easy parking. I would highly recommend this park any time of day and any day of the week. read more

What a wonderful park! I was in the neighborhood to visit a friend and I was a bit early. So I hopped on the handy, dandy Yelp app and saw that literally right around the corner was a sizeable park. There is a paved loop around the park, surrounding a small lake. Along the way you will see several different parking areas close to several shelters and pavilions, tennis courts, playground areas, basketball courts and broad green areas perfect for picnicing and relaxing. I saw many people around the lake fishing. And I just had an overall positive response to the park. It is large and capable of multi-use by a lot of people! My one complaint is a severe lack of shade near the path looping around the park. I did one loop in about 15-20 minutes and I could already feel the sunburn! On a cooler day, or one with a bit more cloud cover, this would be a perfect running path. read more

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This park is a great place to relax under a shaded tree with a blanket or lawn chair, to walk your dog(s), to exercise (jog, walk, bike), to gather with family and friends, play tennis or basketball, or to fish. I saw all these activities today by so many people who decided to get out and enjoy the beautiful weather. The shelters look worn and very uninviting. I personally wouldn't use them, but there are a lot of shaded area throughout the park to pull out the grill. Parking is spread out and plentiful to make it easy to park fairly close to the section of the park to enjoy yourself. There is a trail that goes around the park. I believe the trail branches off a couple of places to other areas of park. And there are a couple of docks positioned out into the lake for those who might want to indulge. There are benches throughout the park for those who walk the trail and want to take a rest. I noticed that most of the benches aren't in a shaded area. This also means a good portion of the trail isn't shaded. The trail is paved and seems to be pretty solid, meaning it's not crumbled in pieces in different spots - it's in pretty good shape. I was able to wheel my mother in her wheelchair without being concerned about uneven concrete. The park has always been peaceful and relaxing and it also appears the city does an excellent job at keeping it well maintained (except for the shelters) and clean to keep the community returning. read more

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This park is great for walking. A very nice walking trail around most of the park. Also includes many off path dirt trails to walk or check out as well. There is an abundance of parking along with several covered picnic areas that are perfect for a family function. Many tennis courts are available as well for those enthusiasts that are capable. A true gem in New Albany that I just happened to stumble upon. read more

Sam Peden Community Park - A creek along the trail. - Parks Near Me - New Albany, Indiana

What you need to know about Community Park is I have been coming here all my life. I learned to play soccer here. Had family reunions here. My kids have learned to play soccer here. I think you are probably picking up what I am putting down. There is nostalgia for me at Community Park. Is it the best kept park in our local park system? Maybe not. Is it the most modern park in the local park system? Nah. Is it loved by all and in many ways a social cornerstone of New Albany/Floyd County? Bingo. Here's to you Community Park, you old dinosaur, I love you. Pro tip: Not the best of lighting at dark, maybe come back during the day. read more

Sam Peden is my favorite park to take my dogs on a walk at. The pond and abundance of water fowl is really neat and the walk path is well maintained. There are a bunch of tennis courts and a volleyball court. The terrain is mostly flat, so it's great for a jog as well. read more

Sam Peden Community Park - My babies at Sam Peden - Parks Near Me - New Albany, Indiana

I've been going to this park since I was a little girl. It is always kept relatively clean (minus the duck poop) and the grass is regularly mowed. It's a park that has a little bit of everything! If you like to hike there are several small hiking trails scattered around the park. There are several playground areas with swings and slides. There's a huge pond that has a walking/running path wrapped around it. If you enjoy playing basketball or tennis there are courts for both. Also, there are covered picnic areas although one of them looks to have quite a bit of graffiti. The only negative that I will add is that especially as a lone woman jogger/walker you have to be careful when you visit. There are times that sketchy looking characters ride by here or stay parked in the lot for an extended period of time! All and all, although I have visited nicer parks, this one is pretty decent!! It's worth a visit. read more

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My boyfriend and I stumbled upon this park on Saturday while looking a way to enjoy the sunny afternoon. He and I enjoyed walking around in the grassy area near the lake and watching the geese and ducks. I didn't have hiking shoes on or we would have checked out the hiking trail that this park offers. Instead we sat lazily under a tree and enjoyed the warm weather. We noticed that there were multiple playgrounds, tennis courts, basketball courts, and shelters, and lots of children running around so this looks like a very family friendly place. I would give it five stars but the bathrooms were disgusting and I really wish there had been an actual walking trail around the lake. Overall a very nice park though. read more

Sam Peden Community Park - Geese by the lake at Sam Peden Community Park. - Parks Near Me - New Albany, Indiana