The $12 million project includes a new Environmental Community Center and nature playground
INDIANAPOLIS – Today, Mayor Joe Hogsett joined City-County Councilor Rena Allen, and Indy Parks to open the new Grassy Creek Environmental Community Center and nature playground. Funded through the city’s Circle City Forward Initiative and the Lilly Endowment Grant, Grassy Creek Park is the city’s fourth nature and environmental education focused park joining Eagle Creek, Holliday, and Southeastway Parks. The new playground is the largest in the Indy Parks system.
“The City of Indianapolis is thrilled to unveil these new Grassy Creek Park amenities to our Far Eastside neighbors. Enhancements like these are transforming our city’s parks into more than just recreational spaces,” said Mayor Joe Hogsett. “We are creating centers of education and enrichment that will shape our youth for generations to come, which was one of the many reasons the Circle City Forward Initiative was launched four years ago.”
The completion of the project marks the completion of the City’s Circle City Forward Initiative announced in 2021 that invested $45 million in major park projects including:
- $20 million for the Frederick Douglass Park Family Center, which opened in 2024
- $11 million for the Riverside Promenade Trail, which opened in 2023 and Riverside Adventure Park, which opened on May 1, 2025
- $7 million for the renovated Krannert Park Family Center, which opened in 2024
- $7 million for the Grassy Creek Environmental Community Center
“This is a proud moment for our residents on the Far Eastside,” said City-County Councilor Rena Allen. “Grassy Creek Park has long been a source of pride for our neighbors, and these new investments reflect what this community deserves – beautiful, safe, and inspiring spaces for our families to gather, learn, and grow. I’m grateful to Mayor Joe Hogsett, Indy Parks, and community advocates who made this vision a reality.”
The park grounds, including the new playground and trail connection to the rest of Grassy Creek Park, will be open to the public from dawn until dusk. Information about programming at the center can be found here. The new community center includes several community rooms that will be used for programs and will be available for rent. Images of the new nature playground can be found here.
“The impact of Circle City Forward has been felt across the city with landmark projects like these new amenities at Grassy Creek Park,” said Indy Parks Director Phyllis Boyd. “At its core, this new center and playground gets to three essential aspects of quality of life: community, access to nature, and play.”
Additionally, Indy Parks and the Indianapolis Department of Public Works will begin construction on an expanded Grassy Creek Trail this summer that will connect to County Line Road to the east and Mitthoefer Road to the west. The trail project is funded by the Central Indiana Community Foundation through a grant from the Lilly Endowment. An overview of that project is available here.
Indy Parks acquired 75 acres of additional land that was added to Grassy Creek Park in 2021, protecting additional greenspace on the city’s east side. At over 240 acres, Grassy Creek Park is one of the city’s largest parks.
