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Park Projects and Plans

Thanks to generous funding, Indy Parks is seeing a historic level of investment to upgrade facilities and add new amenities.

Indy Parks Project Funding

Thanks to funds provided by the American Rescue Plan Act, the Hogsett administration’s Circle City Forward initiative, and a generous grant from the Lilly Endowment, Indy Parks is seeing a historic level of investment to upgrade facilities and add new amenities.

Circle City Forward

In February 2021, Mayor Joe Hogsett announced a $45 million investment into Indy Parks facilities through the Circle City Forward initiative. The plan sets aside $20 million for Frederick Douglass Park’s new family center, $11 million for upgrades to Riverside Regional Park, and $7 million each for Grassy Greek Park and Krannert Park.

New family centers at Frederick Douglass and Krannert Parks were completed in 2024, with the new Grassy Creek Environmental Community Center and Riverside Adventure Park opening in 2025.

American Rescue Plan Act

Announced by Mayor Joe Hogsett in October 2021, Indy Parks will use $16.7 million in federal funding from the American Rescue Plan Act to transform its playgrounds. 24 playgrounds have been selected as part of this project. As of the fall of 2025, 21 new playgrounds have been completed, with ongoing construction at Brookside and Forest Manor Parks, while Lt. Graham Edward Martin Park will begin construction in 2026.

Learn more about the project here.

View American Rescue Plan Act Financial Reporting here.

Lilly Endowment Grant

In late 2022, the Lilly Endowment granted $80 million towards improvements across 42 parks in the Indy Parks system. The parks selected for funding were prioritized for upgrades based on community input, an equity lens, and likely impact due to usage rates. The equity lens was informed by a recent assessment of park amenity conditions and a vulnerability index determined by census blocks associated with a particular park. As of fall 2025, Indy Parks has awarded contracts, begun construction, or completed over 90% of all Lilly Grant projects, marking substantial completion outside of a few projects. The total grant award represents 14 times the annual Parks capital budget.

View a map of all parks receiving Lilly Endowment funds here.

Below are some current and upcoming park projects. Details about these projects can be found here.

Projects in Progress

  • Al Polin Park: construction on a new playground began summer 2025, with completion scheduled for 2026.
  • Chapel Hill Park: construction on a new playground, courts, and a splash pad began in spring 2025, scheduled for completion in 2026.
  • Dubarry Park: construction on a new splash pad began summer of 2025, scheduled for completion in 2026
  • Eagle Creek Park: new ADA trail is under construction and scheduled for completion in late 2025/early 2026.
  • Frederick Douglass Park: new sports fields under construction and scheduled for fall 2026 completion.
  • Garfield Park: the contract for the new playground project was awarded at the August Parks Board meeting, and the project is scheduled to begin in late 2025 or early 2026. The Sunken Gardens Fountain Project is scheduled for spring 2026 completion.
  • Gustafson Park: the contract for the sports field renovation was awarded at the September Parks Board meeting and will begin construction in 2026
  • Holliday Park: the playground renovation project is scheduled for completion by the end of October 2025.
  • Krannert Park: the contract for the playground and trail renovation was awarded at the August Parks Board and will begin construction in late 2025/early 2026
  • Major Taylor Skate Park: construction began in the fall of 2025 with completion scheduled for late 2026.
  • Perry Park: the contract for Perry Park’s new playground was awarded at the August Parks Board and is scheduled for completion in 2026.
  • Riverside Park: the new Taggart playground is currently under construction, with completion scheduled for 2026. Construction on the Riverside Adventure Park Archery Range is scheduled to begin in the summer of 2026.
  • Sahm Park: this project to provide a new playground, courts, shelter, and restroom is anticipated to begin in late 2025, with completion scheduled for late 2026.
  • Southside Park: this project is currently under construction and scheduled for completion in late 2025/early 2026.
  • Southwestway Park: a new playground and restroom are scheduled to begin construction in late 2025/early 2026
  • Tarkington Park: a new sports field, walking path, and tennis/pickleball courts will be completed in 2026. Construction on a new playground on the northwest corner of the park is scheduled for 2026.
  • Tolin-Akeman Park: construction began in the fall of 2025 and is scheduled for completion in 2026.
  • New playgrounds projects will begin in late 2025 and early 2026 at the following parks:
    • Arsenal Park
    • Babe Denny Park
    • Bellamy Park
    • Christian Park
    • DeQuincy Park
    • Doris Cowherd Park
    • Eagle Highlands Park
    • Faculty Park
    • Highway Parcel #15
    • James Foster Gaines Park
    • Hanover North Park
    • Moreland Park
    • Patricia Park
    • Paul Ruster Park
    • Ridenour Park
    • Taggart Memorial Playground
    • Thatcher Park
    • Virginia Lee O’Brien Park
    • WISH Park
  • Additional projects that were selected by City-County Councilors include:
    • Canterbury Park: scheduled to begin construction in early 2026
    • Robey Park: scheduled to begin construction in early 2026
    • Thompson Park: a new playground and improved trails and courts will begin construction in early 2026
    • WISH Park: a new playground, parking lot, shelter, and site amenities are funded by the Lilly Endowment and Councilor Robinson’s project. Construction will begin in late 2025.

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