About
Grassy Creek Regional Park includes three separate parcels of land totaling more than 240 acres. Two of these parcels, Grassy Creek and German Church & 30th Street, were already parks, and the third parcel of land is a 47.9 acres which was gifted to Indy Parks in 2006 from CAFÉ (Community Alliance for the Far Eastside). Major improvements have been made recently to Grassy Creek Park including a splash pad, a Restroom and Comfort Station, and a new state-of-the-art playground.
In 2023, Indy Parks broke ground on the Grassy Creek Environmental Community Center project, which will be an environmental education hub for the entire city, alongside a brand new playground. Funded by the Circle City Forward Initiative and the Lilly Endowment grant, the project opened in May 2025.
Schedule a Field Trip
Are you looking for nature based experiences for your group? If so, join us at our environmental community center for one of our various field trip opportunities. We have both indoor and outdoor options that can fit the needs for you and your group.
Age group: Grades 2 through 12
Dates and times: September-July Wednesdays-Fridays from 10am-1:30pm
Food Webs (1-hour)
$6 per child – Groups of 10-30 – Year round – Indoors
Step into the fascinating world of Food Webs! Your students will rotate through three dynamic stations, including a hands-on food web game, a food web division challenge, and an eye-opening activity that explores the disruption caused by invasive species. Get ready as we uncover how energy flows and how every creature is connected!
Ecosystems (1 hour)
$6 per child – Groups of 10-30 – Year round – Indoors
Get ready to become Ecosystem Explorers as you rotate through hands-on discovery and uncover the vital connections between living things and their environment! After exploration the mission is on for your students to create a prototype aimed at stopping the spread of invasive species to protect our natural world.
Pond Skimming (1-hour)
$6 per child – Groups of 10-30 – April through Sept – Outdoors
Dive into Pond Skimming where students become citizen scientists, using nets to examine the fascinating micro- and macroinvertebrates living in our local wetland! This hands-on field trip allows students to explore biodiversity up close and determine the overall health and quality of the water in this crucial ecosystem.
Bug Sweeping (1-hour)
$6 per child – Groups of 10-30 – April through Sept – Outdoors
Explore the amazing world of insects with Bug Sweeping, a hands-on experience where your students will use sweep nets to collect and examine the diverse bugs and insects that live all around us! Uncover the secret lives of these tiny creatures and learn about their fascinating roles in the environment.
Animal Talk (30-minutes)
$3 per child – Groups of 10-40 – Year-Round
Engage your students with Animal Talk, a customizable session where they’ll interact directly with a naturalist to learn about Indiana’s fascinating wildlife! Choose from topics like amazing Adaptations, native Reptiles & Amphibians, or local Mammals for an unforgettable, grade-appropriate discussion about Hoosier ecology.
Guided Wetland Hike (1.5 hours)
$5 per child – Groups of 10-30 – March through Nov- Outdoors
Explore the living laboratory of our wetlands on a Guided Wetland Walk, where you’ll gain a deep appreciation for the vital importance of these dynamic ecosystems. Discover Indiana’s diverse biodiversity up close, learning how wetlands function to support unique plant and animal life and contribute to the health of the entire state.
Bird Watching (1-hour)
$6 per child – Groups of 10-30 – Year round – Outdoors
Explore the amazing journey of migratory birds with this incredible field trip, offering an opportunity to spot up to 170 different species on our migratory bird path! Use our binoculars (or bring your own) and learn bird-watching techniques while studying avian ecology and conservation along this vital flyway.
Invasive Cleanup (1-hour)
$6 per child – Groups of 10-20 – March through Nov – Outdoors
Get ready for Invasive Clean Up, a hands-on field trip where students will learn to identify and actively remove harmful invasive species threatening our park ecosystem! This challenging and educational service-learning project will empower older students to protect biodiversity and become stewards of the environment.
Facility Rental Information
Grassy Creek Regional Park has several options for spaces to hold your next gathering! From indoor facilities, to outdoor shelters and sporting fields you are sure to find a great home for your next event.
| Room (Tables, chairs and AV hookups included) | Security Deposit | Hourly Rate | Capacity |
| Full Community Room | $300 | $150 | 220 |
| Half Community Room | $160 | $80 | 100 |
| Full Classroom | $160 | $80 | 70 |
| Half Classroom | $90 | $45 | 35 |
| Conference Room | $60 | $30 | 12 |
| Work Room | $50 | $25 | 10 |
What are the rental hours?
Our rental hours are Friday, Saturday and Sunday from 10am-8pm.
Is there a rental minimum?
Yes, there is a 2-hour minimum on all rentals. After the 2 hours, you can add time in increments of 30 minutes.
Do I get extra time to set up my event?
The time you reserve is your time to set up, host your event, and clean up/tear down. Please take that into consideration when placing your reservation.
What is included in my rental?
Tables, chairs, and AV hook ups are included in your rental. Please bring the technology you would like to hook up in the rooms.
Who manages the door?
You are responsible for overseeing the door at your event for after hours rentals. You are responsible for ensuring your guests have access to the building. Please do not prop open exterior doors to the building.
What do you mean by “guest responsibility?”
When renting a space, you are assuming responsibility and liability for damages, manipulation, and violations to the room rental etiquette, park rules and property, for yourself, guests, and persons your guest let into the space.
Can I bring my own food?
Yes, you are able to bring your own food and warmers, but it must remain inside your rental space throughout the duration of your event.
What defines rental cleanup?
Cleaning up after the rental is defined as clearing out all decorations, wiping/clearing tables, stacking chairs in stacks of 10+, deposing of trash, sweeping/mopping, and breaking down tables and placing them against the wall.
Can I have alcohol at my event?
Alcohol is permitted for special events ONLY upon prior approval from the Indy Parks Board. Without prior approval, if alcohol is spotted at your event, park staff have the right to immediately revoke your permit.
What sizes are the tables in the rooms?
In the community room, we have 5ft round banquet style tables and 6ft rectangular tables. In the classrooms, we have 6ft rectangular rolling tables.
Can I have a bouncy house?
You are able to bring a bouncy house or an inflatable structure, but they have to meet the following criteria: Under 10ft, measuring from the tallest point; You will need a “bouncer” to manage the house; Cannot be a water bounce house; All power cords must be out of the path of play.
What other items are not allowed?
Dunk tanks, petting zoos, pony rides, and glitter are not permitted on park property.
| Shelter Number | Price (Marion County Residents/Non-Residents) | Capacity | Area of Park |
| 1 | $110/$130 | 65 | Center |
| 2 | $110/$130 | 65 | Center |
| 3 | $110/$130 | 65 | Center |
| 4 | $110/$130 | 65 | Center |
| 5 | $110/$130 | 75 | Original |
What are the rental hours?
Our rental hours are dawn til dusk Monday-Sunday.
Is there a rental minimum?
No, when you rent a shelter, your rental is automatically reserved from dawn til dusk, so you have access to the shelter all day.
Can I decorate the shelter?
Yes, you can decorate your shelter; however, the use of drills, nails, and items of the sort are not permitted. Decorations also must be completely removed at the end of your event.
What if someone is at my shelter when I arrive?
If someone is at your shelter when you arrive, you are able to ask them leave, as your permit provides you the rights to the space. If they refuse to leave, you are able to call the IMPD non-emergency line at 317-327-3811. Please have your permit when you arrive.
What about the restrooms and water?
There are outdoor restrooms on both sides of the park; however, they may not be available at the time of your rental. Access to the restrooms inside the center is only available during normal center hours: M-F 10am-6pm & Sat 10am-2pm.
What if I need extra seating?
If you are in need of additional seating, you are allowed to bring your own tables and chairs to the park. Please do not move picnic tables from other shelters.
What is involved in cleanup?
The time you reserve is your time to set up, host your event, and clean up/tear down. Please place trash in trash bins, remove decorations, and ensure picnic tables are clear of debris.
Can I have alcohol at my event?
No, alcohol is NOT permitted in the facility or on park grounds. If alcohol is spotted at your event, park staff have the right to immediately revoke your permit resulting in the cancellation of your event.
Can I have a bouncy house?
You must first get park manager approval, and you must meet the following criteria: must be on a flat surface, need a “bouncer” to manage the house, only for people of your party, cannot be a water bounce house, have its own power source, and cords must be out of the path of play.
What other items are not allowed?
Petting zoos, pony rides, and glitter are not permitted on park property.
| Court/Field | Hourly Rate | Area of Park |
| Soccer Fields (1-5) | Adult Games -$20 Youth Games – $10 Youth Practice – $5 | Original |
| Tennis Courts (1-4) | Adult Games – $7 Youth Games – $5 | Original |
| Basketball Courts (1-2) | Adult/Youth Games – $10 | Original |
What are the rental hours?
Our rental hours are dawn til dusk Monday-Sunday.
Is there a rental minimum?
No, there is not a rental minimum; however rent as much time as you need because other rentals may begin right after your rented time.
Can I have alcohol at my event?
No, alcohol is NOT permitted in the facility or on park grounds. If alcohol is spotted at your event, park staff have the right to immediately revoke your permit resulting in the cancellation of your event.
What is the capacity?
Events with over 100 people will require a special event form which must be completed at least 45 prior to your rental and may require additional security.
What is a special event?
Special events are any event that is open to the public. This means any event that is marketed/ promoted on social media. This is also any event with over 100 people expectant to attend and must be approved 45 days in advance. These events also require a COI prior to booking with the park.
Can I apply for a fee reduction?
Non profit organizations and youth leagues are able to apply for a fee reduction. These applications must be completed at least 60 days prior to the rental.
Do I need a certificate of insurance?
Yes, all rentals of fields, courts, of other athletic spaces require a certificate of liability insurance. On the certificate of insurance must list the “Consolidated City of Indianapolis” as Additionally Insured, and the Certificate Holder address needs to list the address of the park or the City-County Building.
Where can I get insurance?
There are many places were you are able to buy a certificate of liability insurance. There are numerous places online where you are able to buy one. Progressive and Next Insurance are two examples.
Can I have a bouncy house?
You must first get park manager approval, and you must meet the following criteria: must be on a flat surface, need a “bouncer” to manage the house, only for people of your party, cannot be a water bounce house, have its own power source, and cords must be out of the path of play.
Does the park staff chalk the fields?
No, park staff will not be able to chalk field for you. You are more than welcome to chalk your own fields. All marks must only be used to park the lines for your game. No other markings are allowed.
