top of page

Master Guide to Greenwood/ Johnson County Playgrounds



Here is where you can check out an in depth guide to the Greenwood, IN playgrounds! The point of this guide is to help give you some insights on each park that I have gone to with my two kids (3 years) & (6 months).


The goal is to provide the right details you need to know before going to play with small children. That way you can go confidently!


For each park, you’ll find:

  • Wins” and “Watch Outs” list

  • Overall rating for specific age groups–babies/pre-walkers, toddler/walkers, and ages 5+.

  • Scale -- 1 is not a good option for that age group, 5 is the best.

  • Rating on ease for a one-parent outing -- scale: easy, neutral, hard.


My reviews are mostly tailored for younger age groups based on my experience with my kids! (Both of mine are under 5!) The goal is to give you the information you need to feel prepared heading into the park, all while ensuring you and your kiddos have a great time!


__________________________________________________________________________________


City Center Park

415 Lincoln St. Greenwood, IN



This big and mostly shaded playground has handicap accessible areas and has lots of different amenities for kiddos of all ages! When you walk up to the park, the play structures are on your right and Greenwood’s splash pad is on your left! It’s a go-to park for us because it sits right across the street from Coffeehouse Five. I can grab a quick pick-me-up before heading to watch my kids run off some energy!



Wins

  • This playground has lots of different kinds of equipment that are suitable for all ages. Swings, multiple slides, climbing structures, and more!

  • There are two playgrounds for different age groups. One for toddlers and one for bigger kids.

  • Some mulch, but most of the equipment is placed on rubber flooring.

  • It is very stroller friendly! I’m able to push my baby around to all areas of the park while watching my toddler.

  • The splash pad is great for summer outings. Kids can go back and forth between each one throughout the day!

  • There is a huge turf area that has some shading to sit at with babies and prewalkers. (We bring lunch to eat here!)

  • There are clean bathrooms on site.

  • Most of the equipment is shaded!


Watchouts

  • There is an area by the splash pad that can get muddy and has rocks. So if your little one is into throwing rocks or playing in mud, try to steer clear of that little area.

  • The parking lot fills up quickly and it is somewhat small.

  • There is some mulch as well.


RATING BY AGE GROUP:

Baby/Pre-Walker: 5

Toddler/Walker: 4

Age 5+: 5


EASE FOR A ONE PARENT OUTING: EASY


Craig Park

10 E Smith Valley Rd. Greenwood, IN



This park sits on top of a hill right by Craig Trail and near the community center! It’s a great little park with a more traditional set up with designated areas for bigger and littler kids. There are tunnels, slides, big and small play structures, swings, and some interactive STEM features.


Wins

  • The park is very open so it is easy to see your kids all across the playground.

  • There are walkways to tennis courts, a volleyball court, and three nature themed play pockets. (These are behind the park).

  • Lot’s of areas to explore, so you can be here for a while without getting bored.

Watchouts

  • The park is on a hill, so if you park at the lot at the bottom of the lot you have to walk up it. (Thinking of the parents with strollers).

  • The park is completely mulched, so it can get muddy when it rains. There is also a step up into it, so you can’t bring your stroller in it.

  • No baby swings.


RATING BY AGE GROUP:

Baby/Pre-Walker: 1

Toddler/Walker: 3

Age 5+: 4


EASE FOR A ONE PARENT OUTING: NEUTRAL only because of the hill I had to climb with my stroller. The playground itself was NEUTRAL.


Freedom Park

850 W. Stop 18 Rd. Greenwood, IN




This park sits behind Freedom Springs Aquatic Center. There is a walking trail, disc golf course, soccer/football fields, a large playground and both tennis and basketball courts. There are distinguished playgrounds for bigger kids and little kids! If you have a climber, this may be a good park for you!


Wins

  • There is good parent visibility while your kids play.

  • The highest climbing area is enclosed, so the fall risk is minimal.

  • Separate areas for bigger kids and little ones.

  • Clean and updated bathrooms!

  • Regular and baby swings.

Watchouts

  • There is no shade to sit under during hot summer days.

  • It is completely mulched under the playgrounds, so it does get puddles and muddy when it rains.

  • Some areas are open to potential falls on the bigger play area for small toddlers.

  • You do have to walk a little bit from the parking lot to get to the playground. (We always bring a stroller).


RATING BY AGE GROUP:

Baby/Pre-Walker: 1

Toddler/Walker: 4

Age 5+: 4


EASE FOR A ONE PARENT OUTING: NEUTRAL when not crowded, somewhat HARD with toddlers when crowded.


University Park

200 Legacy Blvd Greenwood, IN



This hidden gem sits back off the road and in a partially wooded area in Homecoming at University Park on the East side of Greenwood. The forest themed playground has one big play structure with lots of slides, swings, rock climbing, etc. There is a nice walking trail that is about two strollers wide.


Wins

  • Bathrooms on site.

  • Lots of areas to explore.

  • Basketball courts for the ballers in your family.

  • The playground itself is large, so there is lots of potential for play!

  • Picnic tables are close to the playground.


Watchouts

  • This park is not very stroller friendly, so you can’t get your stroller up next to the equipment unless you push it through the mulch.

  • There is lots of mulch.

  • There are very limited options for kids under 5.


RATING BY AGE GROUP:

Baby/Pre-Walker: 1

Toddler/Walker: 3

Age 5+: 5


EASE FOR A ONE PARENT OUTING: EASY



Northeast Park

100 Crestview Dr. Greenwood, IN



Northeast Park is located on the North side of Greenwood and has a very traditional playground setup with slides, swings, and rock climbing. There are also basketball courts and soccer fields if your kids are into sports! It also is home to Greenwood’s only skate park!


Wins

  • There is good visibility at the park

  • A good park to stop at if your kids just need to run off some energy.

  • Great walking trails if your kids are into nature.

  • The skate park is really neat!


Watchouts

  • There is very limited seating, so you’ll want to bring your own chairs.

  • It gets very muddy when it rains.

  • The playground is surrounded by mulch, so beware if your little ones like to try and eat everything.

  • No bathrooms on site. (Sometimes there are port a potties)

RATING BY AGE GROUP:

Baby/Pre-Walker: 2

Toddler/Walker: 3

Age 5+: 4


EASE FOR A ONE PARENT OUTING: NEUTRAL


Old City Park

304 S Meridian St. Greenwood, IN



This newly renovated park has some really cool and modern play spots! Old City Park has something for all ages of kiddos! Located in the heart of Old Town Greenwood, you can walk to The Greenwood Public Library, check out a cool coffee shop called Fresh Pots, or even grab ice cream at Mrs. Curls on a hot day! Equipment includes a large climbing system for big kids, and a smaller one for toddlers, rope climbing, STEM stations, and even a foosball table. There’s also a creek close by to explore!



Wins

  • Large swings, and lots of tables to sit at while watching your kids play. (with shade)

  • A big field next to the park to play in.

  • All rubber flooring and some turf.

  • Play options for all ages.

  • Good visibility to watch kids all across the playground.

Watchouts

  • Be careful letting your littles climb up the big climbing system. It’s hard for adults to climb up if your little one gets stuck. (I learned that the hard way).

  • The creek is close by with lots of rocks. If your little one likes to throw rocks, you may want to beware.

  • Cement wall surrounding the turf can be easy for toddlers to climb over.

  • Not a lot of shade other than at the tables on hot days.


RATING BY AGE GROUP:

Baby/Pre-Walker: 5

Toddler/Walker: 5

Age 5+: 5


EASE FOR A ONE PARENT OUTING: EASY when not crowded, but NEUTRAL when crowded.


Westside Park

820 West Main St. Greenwood, IN



Located on the West side of Greenwood with lots of shade and walking trails, Westside park has a midsize playground with equipment for all ages including tunnels, climbing aparatices, slides, and more. There is a tennis court, basketball courts, a dog park and a nice walking trail in the woods.


Wins

  • The visibility to see across the playground is great.

  • There is some shade in this park as well as the walking trail.

  • Lots of space to sit and have a picnic at a table or in the grass.

  • There are baby swings.

  • There are bathrooms on site.


Watchouts

  • The playground areas are surrounded by mulch, so when it rains it does get muddy.

  • It can be busy during ball-game days.


RATING BY AGE GROUP:

Baby/Pre-Walker: 2

Toddler/Walker: 3

Age 5+: 4


EASE FOR A ONE PARENT OUTING: NEUTRAL


Northwest Park

West 1300 Fry Rd. Greenwood, IN




This park is located on the Northwest side of Greenwood with some great nature trails surrounding the playground. The playground itself is on the smaller side, but it has a really cool rockwall for kids that love to climb. There is also a creek close by that is great for creek stomping in the summer months.


Wins

  • There are restrooms on site.

  • There are open areas to play outside of the playground. (Perfect place to practice soccer or throw a ball around.)

  • There is a pavilion with picnic tables to eat at.

  • There is some shade to sit under with little kids while the bigger ones play & the visibility is great!

  • There are basketball courts for the ballers in your family.

  • Lots of the trails are paved.


Watchouts

  • It is a mulch covered playground, so if your little one likes to eat mulch, it may not be the best park to take them to.

  • There is little for young toddlers and pre walkers to do. (it’s geared more towards bigger kids.)


RATING BY AGE GROUP:

Baby/Pre-Walker: 1

Toddler/Walker: 2

Age 5+: 3


EASE FOR A ONE PARENT OUTING: NEUTRAL


Independence Park

2100 S Morgantown Rd. Greenwood, IN



Independence park is located in the Center Grove area and is somewhat of a hidden gem because it is so far off the road. There are a lot of equipment options here for kids of all ages. You have some traditional equipment like swings, slides, and tunnels, but some of them have a modern twist. We love the rope climbing area the most. There are also basketball courts, picnic tables, and multiple pavilions.


Wins

  • Equipment for all ages

  • There are restrooms on site.

  • Shaded areas with picnic tables and multiple pavilions.

  • The visibility is good across the playground.

  • There is no mulch!

  • The park sits up next to a farm, so there are goats that hang out near the fence my kids like to watch. (Don’t touch or feed them).


Watchouts

  • The equipment is dark colored and gets hot on very warm days.

  • None of the equipment is shaded.

  • Little kids can fall from the rope climbing area.


RATING BY AGE GROUP:

Baby/Pre-Walker: 4

Toddler/Walker: 4

Age 5+: 5


EASE FOR A ONE PARENT OUTING: EASY



Young’s Creek Park

161 W Monroe St. Franklin, IN


Located in the heart of downtown Franklin— Young’s Creek Park sits in the perfect spot to spend the day. With all the different types of equipment, there is something here that kiddos of all ages can enjoy! Don’t forget about the walking trail & pickle ball courts as well!


Wins


• Rubber flooring all throughout the playground

• Lots of shaded areas—including equipment

• Great option for babies, toddlers, & bigger kids

• Stroller friendly playground. (I can push mine all throughout it)

• Baby friendly splashpad open during the Summer months.

• Giant field next to the playground that kids ca play in

• Lots of parking

• Down the street from lots of local restaurants & shops!


Watchouts


• it can be hard to watch one kid at the splash pad and one kid at the playground at the same time due to visibility.

• The splash pad can get really busy & it may no longer be very baby friendly.

• The rubber floor can get hot when it’s really warm outside. (I always bring a blanket to put my baby on when it’s hot)


RATING BY AGE GROUP:

Baby/Pre-Walker: 5

Toddler/Walker: 5

Age 5+: 5


EASE FOR A ONE PARENT OUTING: EASY

_____________________


Blue Heron Park

405 Driftwood Ct, Franklin, IN 46131


This park is located less than 5 minutes away from downtown Franklin & has a lot to offer! If you’re wanting to check out a park with lots of equipment (with all rubber flooring) & a cool walking trail— this is a park for you!


Wins


• Rubber flooring under the entire playground

• Handicap accessible equipment

• The trail so it is paved so very stroller friendly—Lots of nature to check out on it as well!

• Lots of seating options for parents with some shade

• Very good visibility across this park

• Lots of equipment for kids of all ages to enjoy

• Easy parking


Watchouts


• trail can be busy, so have your kids watch for bike riders

• there is some mulch just in the landscaping around the park. (in case your little like to put it in their mouths)

• Very little shade on the equipment


RATING BY AGE GROUP:

Baby/Pre-Walker: 5

Toddler/Walker: 5

Age 5+: 5


EASE FOR A ONE PARENT OUTING: EASY


Kephart Park

Bargersville, IN


Kephart Park sits less than 3 minutes down the road from beautiful downtown Bargersville. When you walk up to this park, the splash pad is on the left while the park and pickle ball courts are on your right. With so many equipment options, kiddos of all ages can find something to do here!


Wins

  • This playground has all different kinds of equipment for kiddos of all ages— Swings, multiple slides, climbing structures, and more!

  • The flooring is a mixture of turf & rubber flooring.

  • It is very stroller friendly!

  • The splash pad is great for summer outings & kept separate from the park. It’s still easy for my toddler to go back and forth though!

  • There is parent seating all across the park. Benches & picnic tables with some shaded areas!

  • There are clean bathrooms on site.


Watchouts

  • Smaller toddlers may get stuck climbing up to the second area in the climbing structure.

  • The visibility between the splash pad and park is not super great if you’re trying to watch kids in both areas at the same time.

  • Little shade on the playground, so the rubber flooring and equipment can get really hot.


RATING BY AGE GROUP:

Baby/Pre-Walker: 4

Toddler/Walker: 4

Age 5+: 5


EASE FOR A ONE PARENT OUTING: NUETRAL, EASY if all kiddos are in the same area.

Comments


bottom of page