Covering an astonishing 11,254 acres, the Indy Parks system is a must-visit for all outdoor loving Hoosiers! Here are some of our favorite features of the area. Arts Throughout the year, Indy Parks features arts programs, for all ages, to engage and educate residents on the importance of arts. Guests can also visit the Garfield Park Arts Center to check out exhibits, and programs in performing, visual, production and literary arts. For pure entertainment, head on over to the MacAllister Amphitheater. The Amphitheater and other locations throughout Marion County host up to 80 free concerts every year. Golf Indy Parks feature 13 golf courses throughout the area all featuring affordable green fees, rentals and lessons and open to golfers of any ability level. From the scenic Winding River Golf Course, its name referring to the White River, to the Sarah Shank Golf Course only two miles from downtown, there is a course in the area for everyone! Pet-friendly Not only are the Indy Parks pet-friendly, but four of the area’s parks feature Canine Companion Zones (CCZ) where dogs can be let off leash to explore their surroundings and interact with other dogs. To take advantage of the zones, owners must purchase “Pooch Passes” for each dog which can be purchased at the park office of any park featuring a Canine Companion Zone including Broad Ripple Park, Eagle Creek Park, Paul Ruster Park and Smock Park. Water For those that love to swim, boat or just be in the water, Indy Parks offer lots of options for you! 19 staffed aquatic centers and pools both inside and outside allow guests to enjoy their day in the water however they’d like. Some pools feature just recreational swimming while others offer lap lanes or Aqua aerobics classes. Thatcher Park’s indoor pool even features a Rock-Climbing Wall from which you can take advantage of the 12-foot diving well! At Eagle Creek Park, guests can also rent canoes, kayaks, sailboats, pontoon boats or pedal boats through Eagle Creek Outfitters. Trails Throughout the Indy parks, there are 135 miles of trails to explore. Of varying difficulty, guests can check out the trails in a number of the parks in the area. One of the coolest things about the Indy trails, however, is the Indianapolis Greenway System. The first trail of the system, The Central Canal Towpath was built in 1836 and further efforts are pushing to have over 200 miles of greenway paths serving to connect downtown Indianapolis to the vast array of natural attractions and parks surround the city. Eagle Creek Park With 211 parks in the Indy Parks system, there are so many great places to see and things to explore. However, it is important to point out Eagle Creek Park as it is one of the largest city parks in the U.S. with 1400 acres of water and 3900 acres of forest. In addition to Go Ape! Treetop Adventures, Eagle Creek features day camps, art shows, the Earth Discovery Center, an ornithology center and so much more. Guests can truly spend a day with all of the great things this park has to offer. Whether you’re visiting the area for a weekend getaway, want to take a lunch-break walk or wish to encourage your kids to grow up with an appreciation of the outdoors, Indy Parks has something for everyone. Maybe you’ll find your perfect place to Live Life Adventurously!
