Let’s Go Play: Nearby Parks and Places to Play
It’s time to get out and PLAY! Load up the family for some classic playtime by visiting one of the many great public places to play in or around Howard County. Grab some water, sunscreen, and bring on the FUN!
Just a few reminders…
Kokomo Parks & Recreation Department enforces park hours from 8 a.m.-11 p.m. all year long.
It’s always a good idea to be mindful of your surroundings and aware of where your children are at all times.
It’s recommended that youth get at least 60 minutes and adults get at least 30 minutes of physical activity daily. You can achieve this easily while playing with your family!
We can all do our part to keep our parks and local facilities clean by cleaning up after ourselves.
Bon Air Park,
2500 N. Purdum St., Kokomo, IN 46901
Located on the North side of Kokomo near Bon Air Elementary, Bon Air Park is home to a playground, a small dog park, a basketball court, pickleball courts, an outdoor picnic shelter and an enclosed private rental building.
Park Perks: Bon Air Park offers a little bit of everything, but he fact that Bon Air Park is home to some official pickleball courts, makes it a unique opportunity and a good enough reason to stop by!
Brady Park and Russiaville Town Park,
E. Kinsey Drive, Russiaville, IN 46979
Right behind the Russiaville Town Hall, is Brady Park. The park has a fenced-in toddler area with age-appropriate activities. The big kid’s play area features a big playset with slides, a merry-go-round, swings (including a Jennswing) and a climbing sphere. Behind the play area, there’s a basketball court and an outdoor roofed picnic shelter.
Park Perks: We visit Brady Park when we want to switch things up. As a mom of young ones, I appreciate the fenced-in toddler area because I can let my boys play a little more independently. The park is right in the center of town, it’s perfect after a trip to the Russiaville Branch of the Kokomo-Howard County Public Library. and maybe grabbing lunch at Waddell’s for a picnic at the park.
Depot Trailhead Park,
403 E. Defenbaugh St. Kokomo, IN 46902
This park sits along the Industrial Heritage Trail and has a train-themed playground, a bike repair station, and restrooms that are open year-round.
Park Perks: As a boy mom, trains are a favorite at our house so we will be visiting this park often. The only downside is that there is no parking available. However, I can see this park being something fun we do after eating dinner at Andy’s Pizza just across the street!
Crossroads South Campus Playground,
4252 S. 00 EW, Kokomo, IN 46902
This is a new place to play on the south side of Kokomo, Crossroads Community Church fundraised to be able to build a new inclusive community playground. The playground isn’t always available, as its primary purpose was for use by Crossroads Learning Corner classes during the day. It is open and available during the week from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. and during the evening hours (6 p.m. to Dusk) at your own risk. On Saturdays and Sundays, it's available to use all day.
Park Perks: As a mom of young ones I always appreciate a play area that is fenced in and well maintained. This new playground offers that and many fun features including a picnic area, manufactured shade over the equipment and the potential for loads of fun!
Country Club Hills Park,
1800 Gentilly Court, Kokomo, IN 46902
A tiny neighborhood park off of W. Boulevard St. Country Club Hills Park has a small playset and a basketball court. The playset is simple but fun for all ages with two slides and some opportunities to climb. There is also a very nice indoor rental space at this park for birthday parties or other social gatherings.
Park Perks: This park is small, but kids don’t care when they just want to play. My son’s favorite part of playing at this park was the big rocks he could climb on to feel, “like a king.” His words, not mine.
Cutler Park,
1600 E. Vaile Ave., Kokomo, IN 46901
Just off of 931, Cutler Park boasts its youth baseball fields, along with the playground there are parking spaces and restrooms available to park visitors. The playground is tucked between the baseball fields and has a play-set with slides and climbing obstacles. There is also a solid set of swings for big kids and little kids.
Park Perks: Location, Location, Location! We will definitely be visiting Cutler park to run the bases when the fields are available and play after getting dinner nearby. I love that it’s located right off of 931.
Foster Park,
721 W. Superior St. Kokomo, IN 46901
Foster Park is the place for all things Kokomo! It is the site for many festivals, concerts and community events happening downtown. The Kokomo Arts Pavilion is located in this park near a playground and a skatepark. The Walk of Excellence Trail runs along the south side of the park following Wildcat Creek and is connected to a loop that circles inside the park. If you explore Foster Park you’ll also find its home to Willy the Whale and a historic Jackrabbit tank from World War II.
Park Perks: I like the size of the Foster Park Playground, there are multiple places to sit and some area between the play systems and the swing sets. One of the play sets has a wide ramp that could be wheelchair accessible and could be meant for younger-aged kids. The other playset features activities to test your kids climbing, reaching and balance skills. I appreciate the paved walking path and all of the amenities Foster Park offers in one space!
Highland Park,
900 W. Defenbaugh St., Kokomo, IN 46902
One of the most popular parks in Kokomo, Highland Park has a lot to offer its visitors. The newly updated playground is a hit and perfect for kids ages 5 to 12. The playground includes multiple slides and climbing areas, a zipline and swings — beware! Your kids won’t want to leave! The park features an outdoor stage, Roger’s Pavilion building available for rent, a walk and biking path, fishing and disc golf too and you’re missing out if you don’t stop by and see Old Ben and the Sycamore Stump in the pavilion at the top of the hill!
Park Perks: My family recently visited Highland Park to go for a run and to play at the playground and the toddler play area. Before this, we drove through the Christmas Light Display, strolled through a car show and had family photos taken in front of the covered bridge. It has so much to offer guests and is a great place to play.
Huston Park,
2800 N. Webster St., Kokomo, IN 46901
Just off of North Webster Street, Huston Park boasts its youth baseball field and concession stand available to reserve outside of practice times. It also has a nice outdoor-roofed picnic shelter and restrooms. The playground features a climbing play-set with monkey bars, a stand-alone slide and swings for big kids and little kids.
Park Perks: The shelter at Houston Park is a great place to picnic or meet for a casual game of baseball with your kid’s friends. But besides swings, this playground caters toward older children.
Jackson Morrow Park,
4200 S. Park Road, Kokomo, IN 46902
This park is the largest Kokomo Park with 100 acres of fun available to you and your family. Jackson Morrow Park is home to the Kirkendall Interpretive Nature Center, which is open to the public, free of charge, and offers opportunities for visitors to learn about plants and animals native to Indiana. Two outdoor picnic shelters are available to reserve for a small fee by contacting the Kokomo Parks and Recreation Department. The park also offers a playground with some accessible features, a basketball court, sand volleyball courts, and a large 1.3-mile paved walking path.
Park Perks: My family loves using this walking path because it's easy to measure your distance. We especially enjoy the butterfly garden near the nature center and the trails through the wooded area of the park. The playground is a good size and has a play set with a ramp and swings, including a Jennswing. The taller playset has monkey bar-type rings underneath and some big opportunities to climb. You may not notice while playing, but the playground from above is the shape of the State of Indiana!
Mehlig Park,
1701 W. Carter St., Kokomo, IN 46901
Just off Dixon Road, Mehlig Park is a trailhead for the Walk of Excellence and the Cloverleaf Trail. It’s home to Kokomo's very first dog park, a small playground, and a basketball court. The playground includes two standalone slides, a pyramid jungle gym and swings. On the northeast side of the park storage barn, there was an observation honeybee hive.
Park Perks: This park is a great place to take a break on your walk or bike ride using the Walk of Excellence or Cloverleaf Trail, but we were most excited to see the Observation Honeybee Hive, unfortunately, it’s not available right now, but we look forward to visiting again when the honeybee’s are back!
Mendota Park,
5713 Mendota Drive, Kokomo, IN 46902
Located in the southern area of the Indian Heights Neighborhood, Mendota Park is a quaint neighborhood park. The park features a baseball diamond, a basketball court, and small playset with slides and a playground fun phone. Parking is available for visitors along the streets and in a small lot.
Park Perks: This park has everything to make a kid happy, but specifically the playset at this park is well suited for younger kids with smaller slides and wide steps.
Meridian Park,
500 E. Harrison St., Kokomo, IN 46901
Reopened in 2018, Meridian Park sits at the home of the old Meridian Elementary School. It has a basketball court, a beautiful outdoor roofed picnic shelter and a playground. The playground had a playset with slides, a swingset with big kid swings and also two bucket seat swings. Parking is available along the streets for those visiting this little park just outside of downtown.
Park Perks: If you’re looking for a nice place to host a birthday party, definitely consider reserving the shelter at Meridian Park, it's beautiful! The park is also fenced in which makes me worry a little less about my kids or their toys going into the street.
Miller-Highland (UCT Park),
1325 Kingston Rd., Kokomo, IN 46901
This park, like others, is nostalgic for its baseball pastime. UCT park as its known has two youth baseball practice fields, a playground, a bike repair station, parking and restrooms that are open year-round. The Walk of Excellence passes alongside the area as the northern side of the park slopes up into a nearby neighborhood, making it a great place to sled in the winter months.
Park Perks: This park is one of our favorite places to see wildlife along the Walk of Excellence and there is plenty of parking available.
Mohawk Park,
Mohawk Drive, Kokomo, IN 46902
Located in the northern area of the Indian Heights neighborhood, Mohawk Park includes a basketball court and a playground. Parking is available along the street and also in a small lot next to the basketball court.
Park Perks: I think of Mohawk Park being Mendota Park’s big brother since they are located in the same neighborhood. The playset at the park is suitable for bigger kids with more climbing items and bigger slides. This park also has lots of trees around it providing some shade over the swings.
Mohr Park,
2302 Saratoga Ave., Kokomo, IN 46902
Just off of Goyer Road on the east side of Kokomo, Mohr Park has a large dog park, restrooms, an outdoor roofed picnic shelter and a basketball court. There are two playground areas, one which is older, but friendly to younger kids with toddler swings and big kid swings, two cute squirrels to ride on, a low and high set of monkey bars and some slides. The other playground is newer with a straight and curvy slide as well as many climbing features, and a tire swing. The only street parking is available at this park.
Park Perks: The tire swing at this park was a big hit with my children when we visited! We hope to visit for the Recreation Adventure Program this summer.
Northside Park,
2201 N. Main St., Kokomo, IN 46901
This park is home to a new bike pump track with three different areas of difficulty. Northside park was originally the home of Kokomo’s Northside youth baseball league. One baseball field remains even though the Kokomo baseball leagues consolidated into the Kokomo United Baseball and Softball League and play at the new Championship Park. In addition to the baseball field the park has a playground with some hands-on musical instruments that are fun for all ages, swings, a playset, zipline, and a parking lot. Northside park is in memory of Mr. ‘Bob” Reel and sits along the Industrial Heritage Trail.
Park Perks: This park gives me some serious “The Sandlot Vibes” and I loved that. The playground at the park is friendly to younger and older kids, but this mom loves that there are many nice benches available! The main playset specifically mentions its for ages 5-11, but my 3 year old enjoyed playing with me close by.
Northwest Park,
1600 W. Judson Rd., Kokomo, IN 46901
Between Judson Road and Morgan Street, Northwest park has five lighted regulation adult softball fields, a basketball court, two outdoor roofed picnic shelters, restrooms, and a parking lot. The playground is in the back of the park and has standalone slides, swings, and a big playset with climbing structures and 4 slides.
Park Perks: This playground is a hidden gem as my son now calls the main playset the “Super Slides.” The playsets aren’t new but are different from our other local parks. I appreciate the parking available at Northwest park and the fact that the play area is surrounded by many big old trees and is very shady on those hot summer days.
Reservoir Park,
851 County Road N 500 E, Kokomo, IN 46901
KPRD leases land from the Indiana-American Water Company to maintain a park and boat launch area near the reservoir. The park has a playground with swings, and a playset featuring slides and climbing challenges. There are also two outdoor-roofed picnic shelters and a fishing pier. You can easily access the Peshewa Nature Trail and there is parking available to park visitors.
Park Perks: The Reservoir Park gives you a secluded country feel and a great view of the water! We visited in the evening when the park was shady and not very busy. Reservoir park is a great picnic spot and somewhere you could try out your first family fishing experience like us!
Riley Park,
700 E. Speaker St., Kokomo, IN 46901
At the site of the former Riley Elementary School, Riley park is a small neighborhood park with a basketball court and parking lot. The playground at the park has monkey bars, slides, and swings.
Park Perks:The playground at Riley park sits under a big tree so it's mostly shaded with the basketball court nearby. The park has a small cozy feel and has parking if available if you don’t live in the area.
Somers Park,
1000 E. Jefferson St., Kokomo, IN 46901
Owned and cared for by Center Township, Somers park is located just northeast of downtown. The park has two play sets, a basketball court, an outdoor picnic shelter, and a large hill made for sledding. The park was gifted to the city of Kokomo in 1920 after the death of civil war veteran Orlando Somers, whom the park was named for. You can learn more about Somers park on the Center Township website.
Park Perks: I have driven by this park many times before and it always looks well-kept and clean. I think this will definitely be on our radar for some winter sledding fun! The park is a nice open area with a great story of its history. The only downside is there isn’t parking exclusively for the park, but you can park on a nearby street or walk.
Studebaker Park,
1030 N. Purdum St., Kokomo, In 46901
This park has a lot to offer with its basketball court, adult softball diamond, tennis courts, skate park and playground. The playground has been recently updated with new swings and playsets with climbing nets, slides and more! The playground area at the park is large with the former slides, swings and play-sets filling the grassy area up to the railroad tracks.
Park Perks: The new play-set at Studebaker Park has something called a net climber playset and it is very cool! The playground is recommended for ages 5-12 so this is a playset where I can be more active and play with my kids when we visit. I also appreciate the shady spots this park has to offer on these fun, hot summer days.
Waterworks Park,
1227 E. Carter St., Kokomo, IN 46901
Just off of 931, Waterworks park is the eastern trailhead for the Walk of Excellence and has a newly renovated playground area. There are also two basketball courts, an outdoor picnic shelter, and plenty of benches along the Wildcat Creek. For those that enjoy being on the water there is a boat ramp or public access to the creek as well. Parking is available in different parts of the park.
Park Perks: My oldest is so excited to go back to Waterworks park to climb all over the “spider web” as he calls it. This playset is nice and offers a lot of play options, including a swing set, slides, a rock climbing wall, and much more! I also think this might be a fun spot for fishing in town.
What’s your family’s favorite local park to play at? Tell us in the comments section. We are so thankful for our local parks and are very excited for continued upgrades and maintenance provided by the City of Kokomo Parks and Recreation Department.
