About Tarkington Park
Tarkington Park is located on the near north side of Indianapolis and has been a community hub since its establishment in 1945. Offering a range of recreational activities, from tennis and basketball courts to a multi-use sports field and covered shelter, this park is a haven for active living. Also included is the Tea’s Me Community Café featuring public restrooms, a splash pad, and a performance shelter. The sports field was named the Richard “Coach Nell” Hamilton Field in 2023. Dating back to 2005, the Indy Steelers Youth Football team saw thousands of local youths out on the multi-purpose field practicing each season with Coach Nell at the center of the team.
Early in 2023, Coach Nell learned that improvements were coming to Tarkington Park, including development of the field. Six days later, Coach Nell died during a road rage incident. Coach Nell’s legacy lives on through the thousands of football players he coached throughout the years, and now will be remembered during each game played on the field.
Header Photography by Susan Fleck.
Tea’s Me Community Cafe
Did you know that Tea’s Me Cafe has a location inside of Tarkington Park? This community gathering space, open Monday through Saturday from 9 am – 3 pm, offers breakfast, lunch, and a variety of teas from around the world. With restrooms, plenty of indoor and outdoor seating, and a reading corner stocked with free books, be sure to bring the whole family in to fuel up for a day of play.
Learn more at the Tea’s Me Cafe website or call (317) 603-2229 for questions.
Special Events and Rentals:
Looking to host an event and invite the public? Whether you anticipate 20 people or 2000+ people, filling out a Special Event Permit Application is the first step. To learn more about the process, click here.
Updates:
Tarkington Park Splash Pad is closed for the season and will reopen late May of 2025.
Tarkington Park’s Comfort Station restroom will be closed October through April.
The multipurpose field will be under construction beginning in late 2024 and will run through the fall of 2025.
