INDIANAPOLIS — City officials and Indy Parks recently celebrated the completion of a $3.5 million project at Washington Park, 3130 E. 30th St. As part of the $80 million Lilly Endowment Grant announced at the site in 2023, the project replaced the central playground, added a new splash pad, shelter, parking lot, comfort station, and event lawn. These enhancements will serve near northside residents for generations, expanding access to recreation, enriching programming, and fostering community ties.
Washington Park has a storied past: it began as the site for the Indianapolis Indians and the Indianapolis ABCs baseball fields, then became the first home of the Indianapolis Zoo, before evolving into the community gathering space it is today. These new amenities will honor that legacy and offer Martindale-Brightwood families a thriving public space.
In late 2022, the Lilly Endowment granted $80 million towards improvements across 42 parks in the Indy Parks system, which represents 14 times the annual Parks capital budget. Along with $16.7 million provided by the American Rescue Plan Act, these efforts will result in more than 40% of Indy Parks playgrounds being replaced by 2026.
The new amenities at Washington Park are officially open to the public with exception of the splash pad, which is awaiting final water-safety testing results and will be operational soon.
