INDIANAPOLIS – Today, Indy Parks broke ground on the Riverside Adventure Park, a $13 million project that will transform the northern portion of Riverside Park into one of the city’s most unique multi-use green spaces.
“Indy Parks is very excited to share yet another milestone project for the Riverside community and for the entire city,” said Indy Parks Director Phyllis Boyd. “With the opening of the Riverside Promenade last month and today’s groundbreaking for the Riverside Adventure Park, we are one step closer to bringing the Riverside Park master plan into reality.”
Funded by the Circle City Forward Initiative and the Lilly Endowment Inc., this game changing project will include newly paved trails, a pavilion and plaza with restrooms and parking, a nature-inspired playground, and a fitness loop with outdoor exercise equipment. This project will complete the first phase of the Riverside Adventure Park Comprehensive Master Plan with opportunities to incorporate other aspects of the plan in the future.
“With today’s groundbreaking, we elevate the spirit of adventure and play that has always characterized Riverside, a spirit that will inhabit the planned pavilions and plazas, the nature-inspired playground, the paved walking trails, the fitness loop trail, and all the other planned amenities,” said President Vop Osili. “The best part is knowing that the completed Adventure Park will be a place accessible and enjoyable to people of all ages, abilities, and interests, from this neighborhood, this city, and perhaps beyond.”
“My colleagues and I on the council have been proud to work with Mayor Joe Hogsett to deliver historic investments in our local parks made possible through federal and philanthropic funds,” said Chairman William Duke Oliver. “These major investments demonstrate our commitment to improving the quality of life in our neighborhoods and providing a foundation for vibrant, healthy, connected communities for many generations to come.”
The Adventure Park groundbreaking is the latest investment Indy Parks has seen in 2023, including the completion of the Riverside Promenade in October. Other major 2023 projects include:
- Announcement of the $80 million grant from the Lilly Endowment, phase one projects are currently in the public meeting stage
- The opening of the Broad Ripple Family Center
- Groundbreaking for the expansion of Grassy Creek Park
- Opening of Rev. Charles Williams Park
- Construction on 27 playgrounds funded by the American Rescue Plan, the majority of which will be completed by summer 2024
- Completion of a splash pad at Frank & Judy O’Bannon Park
- Family Center Improvements at Douglass and Krannert Parks that will be completed in early 2024
Construction on the Adventure Park is scheduled to finish by the end of 2024.
