Westermeier Commons is one of my family’s most visited playgrounds. It helps that it’s only about a seven-minute drive from our house, but this Carmel playground is worth the trip no matter where in Indy you live.
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I think of Westermeier Commons as one of the first “modern playgrounds” built in the Indianapolis area. I still remember seeing Westermeier Commons when it first opened in 2016. At the time, I didn’t even have kids yet, but I still wanted an excuse to check it out. Luckily, working for Indy’s Child gave me one. Fast forward 10 years, and after visiting close to 75 playgrounds with my two kids, this one still stands out as a favorite.
A Playground That Makes the Most of Every Inch
The Westermeier Commons playground is not the biggest playground we’ve been to, but it might be one of the most thoughtfully designed. Every square foot of this space is working overtime. You’ll find monkey bars tucked under the tunnels, little forts hidden beneath the ladders and even rock-climbing walls built right into the retaining walls around the playground. It’s the kind of place where kids discover something new every visit.
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The play structure is nestled into the side of a hill, which does two things really well. It keeps kids naturally contained within the play area, and it hides just how big this playground actually is. You don’t fully realize how big it is until you’re inside the play area. With more than 25,000 square feet of play space, two 32-foot enclosed towers connected by bridges, walkways and slides, plus tunnels and climbing opportunities tucked into every corner, there is a lot to explore.
What Ages Is This Carmel Playground Best For?
My kids are 6 and 8 now, and they have grown up coming to this playground. At first glance, it might not look like a playground for babies and toddlers, and there’s some truth to that. The main play structure is really designed for kids 5 and up, with open sides and trickier equipment that younger kids might not be ready for.
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But the playground has plenty designed specifically for little ones, too. There are two separate age zones, one for ages 2 to 5 and another for ages 5 to 12, so younger kids have their own space. One of my kids’ all-time favorites has always been the roller slide built right into the hillside. Watching them learn how to walk up that little hill when they were tiny was one of my favorite things. As they got older and more confident, I watched them make their way up the rock wall to the tallest slide. They’ve taken a few tumbles along the way, but the soft rubber surfacing throughout the playground has saved us from any real tears.
Standout Features at Westermeier Commons Playground
This playground was built with a futuristic design that sparks imagination for kids of all ages, and there are several features that make it stand out.
The climbing opportunities alone could keep most kids busy for hours. Rock walls, rope ladders and a variety of climbing nets are scattered throughout the play area. There’s also an electronic game built into the playground that works a bit like whack-a-mole, with lighted posts kids can tap along to music. The rubber surfacing includes rolling hills and raised dots that become part of the play, too. Kids use them as obstacle courses, balance challenges or whatever their imaginations come up with.
The Westermeier Commons playground was also designed with inclusion in mind. Children using wheelchairs can access lower-level play areas and reach upper-level features using ramps. Three quiet, cave-like areas throughout the playground provide a calming retreat for kids who need a break from the sensory stimulation of play.
The Splash Pad
Right next to the playground, but in its own contained area, there’s a splash pad that’s open from Memorial Day through Sept. 30. The spray features and geysers are designed to look like cattails, flowers and animals, which fits in with the natural surroundings of Central Park. It’s a great way to cool off after working up a sweat on the playground, especially on hot Indiana summer days.
Beyond the Playground
On longer visits, we almost always head down to the lagoon, which is just steps behind the playground. Walking the 1.2-mile loop around the water is one of our favorite things to do, mostly because we almost always spot turtles poking their heads up out of the water. Central Park also has more than six miles of trails winding through native prairies, wetlands and woodlands, and the Monon Greenway runs straight through the center of the park, so there’s plenty more to explore if you want to make a day of it.
Shelters, Restrooms and Other Practical Stuff
The main community shelter sits between the playground and the splash pad and has restrooms with changing tables. Four additional shelters with picnic tables are open for anyone to use on a first-come, first-served basis. They can also be rented for birthday parties, family reunions or other events. Shaded benches are scattered throughout the playground and splash pad areas, so you’ll have a comfortable spot to sit while keeping an eye on the kids.
More Info
- Address: 920 Central Park Dr. W, Carmel, IN 46032 (enter from College Avenue at 111th Street)
- Hours: Sunrise to sunset daily
- Splash pad hours: 9 a.m. to 8 p.m., Memorial Day through Sept. 30
- Cost: Free
- Parking: A dedicated parking lot is located along Central Park West Drive, just east of the College Avenue entrance.
- Restrooms: Yes, with changing tables, located in the community shelter between the playground and splash pad
- Ages: All ages. Designated play zones for ages 2 to 5 and 5 to 12
- Website: carmelclayparks.com
