Below looking up shot of playground equipment at newly reimagined Meadowlark Park.

Reimagining Parks

We're growing parks through reimagination. Read About Our Forward Focus

Making an impact in our community

Carmel Clay Parks & Recreation is dedicated to providing exceptional park and recreation experiences. We seek to enhance and expand the park system to best serve the needs of our ever-changing community.

On this page, you will find details about recent and upcoming park projects.

Monon Community Center Indoor Playground

KidZone operations have been relocated to make room for an exciting new experience for kids at the Monon Community Center. The new Indoor Playground will include a large Luckey Climber play structure featuring giant leaf-like molded plastic climbing platforms with two slides on each side. Luckey Climbers are vertical mazes that promote physical activity and offer imaginative play for children, all enclosed within vinyl-coated safety nets.

The new play space will also showcase “The Dream Tree,” a popular art installation that uses 3D mapping to provide an interactive experience for visitors. The tree will serve as the new entrance and focal point of the playground, combining education and play. Additionally, there will be a secondary play area designed for younger children with activities throughout the Indoor Playground focused on Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math (STEM) education. Construction is projected to be completed by early 2025

Monon Community Center Indoor Playground

White River Corridor

North Extension

Work is underway on the White River Greenway north extension. The project includes extending the greenway north to 146th Street as well as the construction of a river overlook, parking lot and year-round restrooms. Once complete, the White River Greenway will span over five miles in Carmel. The project is in partnership with Conner Prairie and is part of a regional effort to expand the greenway and turn attention toward the area’s most significant natural resource—the White River.

Improvements are funded by a $4 million Regional Economic Acceleration and Development Initiative (READI) grant as well as by the Park Board with over $1 million in park and recreation impact fees. The READI grant, provided by the Indiana Economic Development Corporation through the Central Indiana Regional Development Authority, was awarded in 2022 to support expanding the greenway. 

Pedestrian Bridge

Hazel Landing Park is closed due to construction of the new pedestrian bridge. The bridge will connect Hazel Landing Park in Carmel to Heritage Park in Fishers.

This project is a joint effort made possible by the Clay Township Impact Program, CCPR, Hamilton County, Delaware Township, and the City of Fishers. The future bridge will provide enhanced connectivity between the two communities.

Additional Enhancements

Additionally, we are in the planning stages for additional enhancements along the White River in Carmel. This includes the development of funding strategies for a White River Ecology/Education Center in partnership with Conner Prairie.

All proposed projects are closely aligned with the regionally developed White River Vision Plan.

– White River Greenway Expansion
– River Ecology/Education Center
– Parkland Acquisition

North Extension Feasibility Study    White River Plan

White River North Extension Press Release

White River Greenway Overlook Rendering

ELEVATION VIEWPOINT RENDERING of PEDESTRIAN BRIDGE

White River Planning

Chinese Garden

The Chinese Garden honors the Carmel-Xiangyang Sister City initiative, which was created in 2012 to promote educational and cultural exchange between the City of Carmel and the city of Xiangyang, China. CCPR is partnering with Dr. Yiwei Huang and Purdue University students in the landscape architecture program, including a Carmel High School graduate, to develop plans for a Chinese Garden. 

CHINESE GARDEN MASTER PLAN | May 2023  

Chinese garden rendering from master plan

Thomas Marcuccilli Nature Park

Undeveloped parkland, currently closed to the public

Thomas Marcuccilli Nature Park was acquired in November 2021. The 63-acre undeveloped property is currently in the master plan process.

Thomas Marcuccilli Nature Park Master Plan

Thomas Marcuccilli Nature Park Master Plan Appendices

Watch the Oct. 11 Master Plan Presentation

May 5 Public Open House Presentation

Watch the May 5 Public Open House

Thomas Marcuccilli Nature Park FAQ

Bear Creek Park

Undeveloped parkland, currently closed to the public

Bear Creek Park was acquired in September 2020. The master plan for the 27-acre property was adopted in June 2022. Over the next several years the park will be developed.

Bear Creek Park Master Plan

View the May 10 Master Plan Presentation Slides

Watch the May 10 Master Plan Presentation

West Park – Reimagined + Open

West Park was reimagined thanks to the Clay Township Impact Program and is now open to the public. The projected budget for this park’s upgrades is $6.2m. Upgrades include a new playground and splash pad. Take a look back at some of the documents we released throughout the construction process: 

West Park Master Plan   Elementary-Age Focus Group Meeting  

SCHEMATIC DESIGN REPORT DRAFT    Park Renderings 

Closure News Release

Children playing at West Park splash pad

River Heritage Park – Reimagined + Open

River Heritage Park was reimagined thanks to the Clay Township Impact Program and is now open to the public. Upgrades included a new playground, accessible trails and White River overlooks. Take a look back at some of the documents we released throughout the construction process:

Playground Rendering    Schematic Presentation    Concept Plan

Newly Reimagined River Heritage Park features a new spongy playground surface, accessible play equipment and sensory friendly play activities.

Lawrence W. Inlow Park – Reimagined + Open

Inlow Park was reimagined thanks to the Clay Township Impact Program and is now open to the public. Updates included a new splash pad, two pickleball courts, new picnic shelters, year-round restrooms, and expanded parking. Take a look back at some of the documents we release throughout the construction process:

Schematic Design    Schematic Presentation   Park Renderings 

Closure News Release

Children playing at Inlow Park splash pad

Carey Grove Park – Reimagined + Open

Carey Grove Park was reimagined thanks to the Clay Township Impact Program and is now open to the public. Upgrades included two new playground structures, designed by Kompan, year-round restrooms, a larger parking lot, and trails. Take a look back at some of the documents we released throughout the construction process:

Design + Progress    Park Rendering    Playground Rendering     FAQs  Reopening News Release  Closure News Release  Reimagining Carey Grove Park  Explore Reimagined Carey Grove Park Blog

Carey Grove

Flowing Well Park – Reimagined + Open

Flowing Well Park was reimagined thanks to the Clay Township Impact Program and is now open to the public. Upgrades included Cool Creek bank stabilization, year-round restrooms, a larger parking lot, and trails. Take a look back at some of the documents we released throughout the construction process:

Design + Progress    FAQs    Learn About Flowing Well Park    Park Updates with Councilor Aasen  Reopening News Release  Closure News Release  Reimagining Flowing Well Park  Explore Reimagined Flowing Well Park Blog

Flowing Well Park

Meadowlark Park – Reimagined + Open

Meadowlark Park was reimagined thanks to the Clay Township Impact Program and is now open to the public.  Upgrades included a new playground, year-round restrooms, two new shelters, a larger parking lot, four pickleball courts, a wheelchair-accessible fishing pier (still under construction), an accessible boardwalk, and new interpretive signage. Take a look back at some of the documents we released throughout the construction process:

DESIGN + PROGRESS   Updated Playground Renderings   FAQs 

Closure News Release    Reimagining Meadowlark Park

Family fishing at Meadowlark Park