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Wes Montgomery Park to house covered basketball pavilion by the end of the year 

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Residents in the Audubon Gardens neighborhood can expect a new addition to a neighborhood park by the end of the year.

Community leaders gathered at Wes Montgomery Park on April 19 to announce that in addition to its current amenities, a splash pad, open green space, uncovered basketball courts and a public pool, the park will soon include the first covered basketball pavilion in the Indy Parks system.  

This $2.6 million project, which is funded by the American Rescue Plan and Indy Parks, will house two full- size and two half-size basketball courts topped by a shelter structure to provide cover from inclement weather. Residents will also be able to host community events inside the building. 

“Wes Montgomery is more than a park,” said District 13 Councilor Keith Graves during the groundbreaking pavilion announcement. “This is home. I actually grew up at 3342 Whittier, many, many years ago …  I remember spending countless hours right here, but of the many activities that were available … you could always find me and many of my east side friends at the basketball court right here at the Wes Montgomery Park.” 

The 37-acre park is named after jazz guitarist Wes Montgomery who launched his career in Indianapolis and is recognized as one of the world’s greatest jazz guitarists. Montgomery was a self-taught musician who won several awards, and at the peak of his career, suffered a fatal heart attack.  

“I’m hoping for sure that Wes Montgomery Park will be a place of refuge for the children,” Robert Montgomery Sr., the youngest son of Wes Montgomery, told the Recorder. “Also, for the adults where they can come, they can relax, they can mediate, have a picnic and just enjoy life without all the hectic things that go on outside of it.”  

Contact staff writer Timoria Cunningham at 317-762-7854. Follow her on Twitter @_timoriac.

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