On the far west side of Carmel, just off 116th Street, West Park is one of those places that proves a reimagined playground can change the whole feel of a park. This 120-acre park packs a two-level playground, an accessible merry-go-round, a two-story sledding hill, walking trails and a summer splash pad into one spot, and my daughter and I got to explore nearly all of it on a recent visit.
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West Park first opened in 2002 and was reimagined in 2022 thanks to funding from the Clay Township Impact Program. The playground is the main draw for most families, and it is easily one of the most thoughtfully designed playgrounds I have visited around Indy. It is split into two levels, with the lower section built for younger kids and the upper section geared toward bigger climbers.
Parking sits right off 116th Street, and the lot is huge. The playground is directly next to it, which makes getting kids from the car to the play structures about as easy as it gets.
The Lower Playground
You enter the playground on the lower level, which is perfect for the 2 to 5 crowd. There are plenty of play opportunities down here, including climbing features, slides and all the smaller-kid equipment you would expect. One standout we do not see at many other playgrounds was a rope feature designed for climbing and balancing.
But the biggest hit for my daughter was the accessible merry-go-round. These are ground-level spinners designed for kids of all abilities, including kids who use wheelchairs. They have a flush, roll-on surface, safety barriers and room for friends to ride along. My 6-year-old loved it for two reasons. First, she had not really seen one before. Second, she could push off the ground and get it spinning on her own without any help from me.
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The Climbing Wall Between the Two Levels
Dividing the lower and upper sections is a rock climbing wall. When I first saw it, I assumed it was just part of the playground’s design. I quickly realized it was built to be played on.
Full disclosure: I loved it. I am always looking for sneaky ways to get a little exercise in on playground days, and I climbed it a few times while my daughter worked her way down the slide. My legs felt it.
As a mom with older kids now, I was glad the climbing wall did not catch me at an earlier stage of parenthood. My fearless second-born would have been up that wall in her toddler years, and it would have made me nervous. If you have a little climber who treats everything as a challenge, keep an eye on them over here.
The Clock Tower
The upper level is where the main play structure lives, and it is a tall one. A clock sits at the very top, which is why my daughter and I started calling it the clock tower.
There is only one way to reach the giant slide at the top, and that is up a climbing net. This structure is more advanced than the ones we have seen at other Indy-area playgrounds, and whether your child can make it up is going to depend on their skill level. My 6-year-old got to the top on her first try. I honestly do not think her 8-year-old brother could have at her age. Some 6-year-olds are going to fly up this net, and others are not going to be ready yet.
For the sake of this review, I decided to put the clock tower to the test and climb it myself. I will not lie, it was tricky. Pulling myself up was not a problem, but fitting through the web of ropes was. It is a tight squeeze for an adult, and there is no way I could have climbed up while helping a smaller child. This structure is truly for independent climbers.
Once you reach the top, the slide down is a great ride. It is fast but not too twisty. The girl waiting at the top of the slide cheerfully suggested I take off my shoes to go even faster. I appreciated the enthusiasm but kept my shoes on.
The Sledding Hill and Walking Paths
After the playground, my daughter and I followed one of the walking paths to what she called “the mountain.” It is actually one of Carmel’s two-story sledding hills, and it doubles as a great spot for a hike or a workout any time of year.
A winding paved path leads all the way to the top, which makes it stroller-friendly. The back side is the sledding slope, and it is one of the best in Carmel. On the warm spring day we visited, we watched two people running up and down the hill as their workout. Noted for next time.
Beyond the sledding hill, West Park has more than two miles of paved and soft-surface trails that wind through a restored prairie maze and pond boardwalks. If you are planning to stay a while, it is a great park for a picnic, a long walk or a lazy afternoon outside.
The Swing Area and Hammock Zone
Before we left, we checked out the swing set area. There are a few swings up by the main playground, but if you follow a path toward 116th Street you will find four additional swing stations, including standard swings, a tire swing, a toddler swing and a parent-child swing. My guess is these are left over from the original playground design, and my daughter loved how quiet this section felt compared to the main play area.
Tucked right next to the swings are five hammock hookup stations. These are bring-your-own-hammock spots designed to protect the trees and give visitors a dedicated place to string up and relax. A small detail, but a really nice one.
The Splash Pad at West Park
The splash pad was not open during our spring visit, but we spent plenty of time there last summer. It is one of our favorites. The design makes you feel like you are standing in a river canyon, with rock walls on both sides and waterfalls built into the space.
If I had one small caution to share, it would be the boulders around the splash pad. They make the area feel unique, but they made me a little nervous about slipping, especially with younger kids. Worth keeping an eye on as the little ones climb around.
The splash pad is open 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. from Memorial Day through September 30.
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Pavilions, Picnic Areas and Restrooms
West Park has four pavilions with picnic tables. Three are spread across the park near the trails, and one sits directly next to the playground. Restrooms are also on the side of the playground pavilion, so you do not have to wander far when someone inevitably needs a bathroom break.
Why West Park Stands Out
What makes West Park feel different from other playgrounds near Indy is how much variety it packs into one visit. You can start your morning on the accessible merry-go-round, climb a rock wall, conquer a clock tower, hike up a sledding hill and cool off in a splash pad canyon, all without leaving the same park. Add in four pavilions, miles of trails and a hammock zone, and it is easy to turn a quick playground stop into a half-day adventure.
More Info
West Park is located at 2700 W. 116th Street in Carmel. The park is open sunrise to sunset. The splash pad is open 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. from Memorial Day through September 30. West Park is part of the Carmel Clay Parks & Recreation Reimagining Parks initiative.
[…] as part of Carmel Clay Parks and Recreation’s (CCPR) Reimagining Parks initiative. The revamped West Park and River Heritage Park were built with the goal of updating and enhancing existing parks by making […]