Indianapolis celebrated the grand opening of Riverside Adventure Park on May 1, marking a major milestone in the $13 million project funded by the Circle City Forward Initiative and the Lilly Endowment Grant.
Mayor Joe Hogsett, City-County Council President Vop Osili and Indy Parks unveiled the first phase of this transformative space, featuring over four miles of paved trails, a nature-inspired playground, a fitness loop with outdoor exercise equipment and a pavilion with restrooms and parking.
“Through investments from our Circle City Forward initiative and the Lilly Endowment, it is with great pride that we continue to bring major improvements to one of our largest parks,” Hogsett said. “The new Riverside Adventure Park will play a vital role in the city’s park and trail systems.”
The Adventure Park represents the first phase of improvements outlined in the Riverside Park Master Plan. Future developments include an archery range in 2026 and a nature center in Phase 3. Since 2019, Indy Parks has invested over $36 million in Riverside Park, including the $11 million Promenade Trail completed in 2023.
City-County Council President Vop Osili highlighted the park’s community-driven design.
“This park embodies a vision shaped by community input, rooted in equity and designed for connection — connection to nature, to movement and to each other,” he said.
Indy Parks is also modernizing playgrounds citywide, with a $2 million Taggart Memorial Playground slated for construction this summer.
“Access to greenspaces like the Riverside Adventure Park improves both mental and physical health,” Indy Parks Director Phyllis Boyd said. “With over $140 million being invested in our Indy Parks system, we’re enhancing the quality of life for all residents.”
The Riverside Adventure Park spans 180 acres within the 862-acre Riverside Regional Park. It is open year-round from dawn until dusk. For more details, visit indyparks.org.
Contact Health & Environmental Reporter Hanna Rauworth at 317-762-7854 or follow her on Instagram at @hanna.rauworth.
Hanna Rauworth is the Health & Environmental Reporter for the Indianapolis Recorder Newspaper, where she covers topics at the intersection of public health, environmental issues, and community impact. With a commitment to storytelling that informs and empowers, she strives to highlight the challenges and solutions shaping the well-being of Indianapolis residents.
