About Willard Park
Willard Park is located on the Near Eastside of Indianapolis and sits on 10.72 acres. This park is named after William Willard, founder of the Indiana School for the Deaf. Willard himself was deaf and was both principal and teacher at the school, which was located on the grounds from 1850 to 1911. The Indiana School for the Deaf was the first in the country to provide education for the hearing impaired at no cost to students and their families. Though it has since moved, the school still operates and serves the local Indianapolis community.
Willard Park recently underwent a renovation funded by an Urban Parks and Recreation Recovery Grant and the Indianapolis Park Foundation. Updated amenities include a large picnic shelter, playground equipment, park benches under shade trees, an aquatic center with a pool and splash pad, a soccer field, two basketball courts, and a new skatepark. There’s fun for the whole family in this urban Indy Park!
Willard Park received a new playground in 2024 with funding from the American Rescue Plan.
Did You Know
- The Indiana School for the Deaf originally opened at this location.
- This park first opened in 1913 and featured Tennis courts, a baseball diamond, football field, and a crushed stone walkway.
- The Willard Park Skatepark was constructed in honor of Ethan WIlliams, an IU student who was shot by a stray bullet while visiting New York City in 2020. This skatepark is considered Indianapolis’s “first proper” skatepark and serves as a memorial in collaboration with Ethan’s parents and the Indy skateboarding community.
Top Things to Do in Willard Park
- Enjoy the new playground and provide your feedback using the sign with the QR code near the playground shelter.
- Visit the Willard Park historical marker and explore the Sylvia Likens Memorial for a local history lesson.
- Grab your skateboards, quads, or inline skates to practice your moves at Willard Park Skatepark’s flow bowl, ramps and rails.
- Cool off in the summer with a family trip to the pool. Bonus points for going down the big yellow slide!
