Fishers AgriPark: Part Urban Farm, Part Park

Fishers AgriPark just might be my favorite hidden gem. I loved it because we went home with free produce, and my son loved it because of the farm animals and mud kitchen.

Fishers AgriPark in Hamilton County

Part community urban farm, part park, Fishers AgriPark is located in a beautiful, relatively remote section of Fishers. The drive itself is part of the experience. Having lived in Hamilton County for 42 years, I remember when Fishers mainly was farmland. Over the past 20 years, the population of Fishers has grown significantly, and the farmland has steadily decreased. AgriPark is Fishers’ way of paying tribute to its agricultural past.

Animal Encounters and Produce Picking

The entrance to Fishers AgriPark is a gravel path that divides a vibrant field of wildflowers from the public produce field. At the end of the path, a friendly volunteer greeted us, handed us a cardboard box, and gave us instructions on what produce was available for picking.

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On our way to the produce field, we were pleasantly interrupted by an animal encounter. A very friendly horse, sheep, and cow were gathered to greet visitors. After spending some time with them, we visited a pig and some chickens before heading off to gather kale, mustard greens, and sugar snap peas. I recommend bringing garden shears and wearing proper footwear to avoid dusty toes, as we experienced.

Natural Playground and Mud Kitchen

Before we left, my son wanted to check out the play area, which also required play clothes. The most popular section was the mud kitchen. I think my son could have stayed there for hours playing contentedly There are several spots for adults to relax and read, both in the shade and sun. While my son played, I researched recipes for the fresh produce we’d collected.

In addition to the free produce, play area, and farm animals, Fishers AgriPark also has an accessible, shaded nature trail. We didn’t visit this time because we weren’t fully prepared with the proper footwear.

On our way out, we stopped by the volunteer tent, where our produce was bagged, and we were given a free squash. As we walked back to the car, I took a few pictures of my son with the wildflowers in the background, and we talked about coming back when the green tomatoes we saw might turn red.

More Info on Fishers AgriPark

Fishers AgriPark is located at 11171 Florida Road in Fortville. Hours of operation vary depending on the season, so check the Fishers AgriPark website for details.

Fishers AgriPark reopens on Wednesday, May 1, for the 2024 season.

Hours:

• Sunday-Monday: Closed
• Tuesday-Wednesday: 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
• Thursday-Saturday: 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.

What to Bring:

• Sunscreen: The park is mostly open and sunny, so sunscreen is a must—especially if you plan to spend time in the fields or playground. You don’t want to risk a sunburn while you’re out having fun!
• Water Bottles: There isn’t easy access to a water fountain in some areas of the park.
• Gardening Gloves (Optional): Not a requirement, but having a pair of gardening gloves can be handy when you’re picking produce, especially with tougher plants or roots.
• Garden Shears: If you’re planning to harvest things like greens or snap peas, shears will make the job a whole lot easier and quicker.
• Closed-Toe Shoes: Make sure to wear comfy closed-toe shoes or boots, especially if you’re hitting the nature trails or heading into the fields. The ground can be a bit dusty or muddy depending on the weather, so it’s best to be prepared.
• Clothes You Don’t Mind Getting Dirty: Between playing with animals, picking produce, and possibly getting muddy, you’ll get a little dirty.
• Extra Bags: Volunteers will have boxes for you to collect your produce, but bringing a few reusable bags can make it easier to carry everything back to the car—especially if you end up picking a lot!

Upcoming Events at Fishers AgriPark