Discover Indy Parks

Lives lost and milestones missed. The past 12 months in a pandemic have given us heartbreaking ways to measure time, so I set off to find more positive ways to mark the passing months with our preschooler.

Enter Indy Parks. What better way to measure a year than through parks explored? It’s gratifying to think back to 2020 and remember all the fun we’ve had. A few parks stand out for the joy they brought during a pandemic year.

Our go-to park last year was Garfield Park, where we watched the trees bud and threw rocks in the creek. We registered for monthly take-home activity packets, which gave us a fun way to navigate the winter months.

As spring burst into bloom, we explored Glenns Valley Nature Park, taking walks to watch wildflowers pop up and new birds arrive. We spent mornings watching the geese at Pogue’s Run Art and Nature Sanctuary. We explored the Riverside Regional Park Adventure Park, which is a fantastic place for kids to practice riding scooters or bikes.

When playgrounds re-opened, we rejoiced to return to Edna Baltz Lacy Park and Hot Shot Tot Lot. The search for spray grounds led us to Christian Park and Bertha Ross Park, and we loved picnic adventures to the Colts Canal Playspace and Tarkington Park.

In March, we participated in our first Maple Syrup Day at Southeastway Park, where I may have learned more than our preschooler.

Now we’re back to spring, and I’m planning our next visit to Scott Starling Nature Sanctuary at Eagle Creek Park, to see the fish and spot new birds. But, if not this year, there’s always next year. As we’ve learned, a lot can change overnight, but our parks are here, helping us mark time in ways I’ll forever cherish.

BROUGHT TO YOU BY

WE ASKED SEVERAL AREA SCHOOLS TO SHARE A STUDENT WHO EXEMPLIFIES THEIR SCHOOL'S VALUES, AND THEY ROSE TO THE CHALLENGE.

Joe Fisher – Senior, Brebeuf Jesuit Preparatory School

I am most proud of my work in Brebeuf Jesuit theatre. More specifically, playing the lead role in four productions. Transitioning from sports to theatre certainly took a great amount of courage and faith, but the experiences and outcomes have been more rewarding than I could have ever imagined.

I am attending Purdue University next fall to pursue business management. I am not exactly sure what the future holds, but I am excited and eager to meet the challenges that lay ahead.

Brebeuf has taught me the importance of ongoing personal reflection and growth, and the power of having an open mind. I believe this mentality will serve me well as I venture into the real world.

Kieran McCauley – Senior, Cathedral High School

My proudest achievement in high school would definitely be winning the Christian Service Award my junior year. Cathedral requires everyone to complete service hours, but through this simple activity of giving time to a charitable cause, I truly grew by seeing the love and direct impact of these services.

After I graduate from Cathedral, I will be attending the United States Air Force Academy in Colorado Springs.

Cathedral has prepared me for my future through rigorous academics, leadership experiences, and extracurricular activities that encourage me to be the best I can be. I’ve had the privilege of working with teachers and coaches that challenged me and provided me with a oundation for success in the future.

I've been playing basketball since I was 4 years old and to be in my senior year and headed to state is the most rewarding accomplishment I've had thus far in my career.

My plans are to attend college and to be honest, embrace whatever the future holds for me. I look forward to my next chapter in this game called life.

Lawrence North has provided me with the opportunity to continue in the Spanish Immersion program. In this program I have made lifelong friendships, experienced different cultures, and challenged myself in my education. LN has made my high school experience a memorable one.

I am most proud of earning top 30 recognition in my 4 years at Lawrence Central.

I plan on attending Purdue University studying plant science in my undergrad in hopes of earning my PhD and becoming a research scientist.

Lawrence Central has made available many opportunities to expand my thinking and problem solving skills. These range from leadership positions in athletics to independent projects for the International Baccalaureate program. These learning opportunities gave me the skills needed in order to succeed in the future.

Lena Brooks-Kelly – Senior, International School of Indiana

The high school achievement that I am most proud of is receiving the ISI Biology award at the end of my junior year. Higher-level biology in the IB curriculum introduced me to the rigor and style of a college-level course and strengthened me as a student overall.

I have always wanted to move to the West Coast and I now plan on attending the University of California Los Angeles. I plan to study philosophy or psychology as an undergraduate and then pursuing a graduate degree or attending law school.

At ISI I have learned to handle academic rigor and to welcome new challenges. I know in college I will be prepared to handle any course load because of my ISI preparation and maintain important self-management skills.

Luke – 8th grade, The Orchard School

The school achievement that I am most proud of is our Wintercreeper Club in 3rd and 4th grade. Some students discovered some invasive species of plants in our woods. Throughout that year, our grade dedicated time to pull out the plants and learn about the invasive species and how they are bad for our environment.

My plans for high school are pretty straightforward. They are working hard to keep my grades up, as well as making a lot of new friends. My main goal is to have a great time in high school because it is a once-in-a-lifetime experience.

Orchard has always given students a lot of options to prepare for their future, whether it be through special classes, Winterm [two-week intensive mini-semester], or clubs. Most of our teachers incorporate real-life situations into their teaching. Overall I think Orchard has done a great job preparing me for my future.

Sophie Farnum – 8th grade, Sycamore School

I am most proud of getting into the global competition for Destination Imagination, an extracurricular activity Sycamore participates in, in 7th grade. It was something my teammates and I put a lot of work into, and it was fun to see how far we went. Sadly, we were never able to actually go because of the COVID-19 pandemic, but it was still an achievement that taught me a lot about myself and my teammates, and I feel that what we created together was both incredible and unique.

After Sycamore, I plan on going to high school at North Central.

Sycamore has prepared me for my future by creating good study habits and ensuring that I have the ability to ‘knuckle down and do it’ when I have to, but it has also provided me with many friendships that will likely extend beyond my time here. Additionally, it has allowed me to be more social and talkative than I might have been at a different school because I know everyone so well. Right now, I would like to do something relating to science, but am not entirely sure what yet. This could all change in a few years, so I will probably try to keep my options open and study as wide a range of material as possible, to be able to focus on nearly anything when the time comes.