The project is funded by the Lilly Endowment and Councilor Robinson’s $1 million district funding
INDIANAPOLIS – Today, Mayor Hogsett, City-County Councilor Leroy Robinson, and Indy Parks broke ground on the renovation of WISH Park. The project was initially funded for a new playground through the Lilly Endowment Grant to Indy Parks and expanded with $1 million from Councilor Leroy Robinson. WISH Park is the only city park in Council District 1.
“This WISH Park project is a special one for the City of Indianapolis, because it is one that comes directly from our Northwest Side community,” said Mayor Joe Hogsett. “With City and philanthropic funding, community-backed projects like this are key to ensuring that park upgrades translate to real quality-of-life improvements for our neighbors across Indianapolis.”
Over 40 Indy Parks are currently under construction or pending the start of construction as part of an investment of over $150 million to upgrade city parks. The timelines of these projects can be found on the Indy Parks Website. Those investments are part of a multi-year effort to upgrade over a third of the city’s 218 parks.
“For too long, residents of District 1 have lacked access to a true destination park,” said City-County Councilor Leroy Robinson. “In 2024, Councilors had a choice to invest $1 million in roads or parks, and I chose to expand WISH Park, bringing additional upgrades our community deserves. This will be a space where families can gather, children can play, and neighbors can take pride in their community.”
In 2025, a fiscal ordinance approved alongside the City-County Budget provided a one-time allocation of $1 million to each district councilor for a park or road infrastructure project. WISH Park is one of four Councilor-directed park infrastructure projects:
- Canterbury Park: The city will break ground on a new playground, volleyball court, pump track and other site improvements on Monday, March 23, at 11am.
- Robey Park: a new shelter, comfort station, hard courts, and trail improvements are scheduled to begin construction by summer 2026.
- Thompson Park: a new playground and improved trails and courts began construction in the fall of 2025, with anticipated completion in the summer of 2026.
“Parks are more than amenities; they are connectors. They strengthen families, support health and wellness, and create the kind of community pride that lasts for generations,” said Indy Parks Director Brittany Crone. “The work we begin today will ensure that WISH Park fosters that sense of community in a part of the city that has historically lacked quality city parks.”
The construction at WISH Park is scheduled for completion by the fourth quarter of 2026. Renderings of the new playground can be found here. Images from the event can be found here.
