Park and Recreation - The Monon Center

If there is one place in my beautiful city of Carmel, Indiana that could be called a one stop vacation spot it is Central Park. Not THE Central Park but our Central Park.

Comprised of 161 acres with four miles of walking trails and the largest recreational facility in the state, Central Park also contains a picnic area with shelters, fishing, a 10,000 square foot skatepark, and a magnificent waterpark. Is park and trails are open to the public at no charge.

The highlight of Central Park is The Monon Center, a fitness and recreation center that has an indoor pool, dance studios, gynasiums, a lagoon and boardwalk, art studio, banquet facility, class rooms and beautiful wetlands.

The walking trails at Central Park connect to The Monon Trail, a sixteen mile walking trail that stretches from downtown Indianapolis to the city of Westfield Indiana, just outside Carmel.

Central Park houses all the amenities needed to spend a leisurely vacation of fun in the sun. But should it rain, fear not, the indoor facilities offer just as much fun without the sun.

Your experience will be as exciting as any place you can go and for a lot less money. You will also be treated to the added attraction of the nearby Carmel Arts and Design District, which has its own amenities for your vacation enjoyment.

Photos: All photographs are by designsbyharriet

Picnic Area

There are sixteen parks in the city of Carmel ranging from1 1/2 acres to 161 acres. Central Park is the largest, so it is not surprising that it is a great place for a picnic.

The newest additions to the Monon Center, which as I said is in Central Park, is the sheltered picnic area. There you will find two picnic shelters and men's and women's rest rooms.

Since Carmel is the roundabout capital of America, this park is traversed by such a roadway. In the center are plantings, which have just begun to take root.

The picnic area is the first spot you come to when entering Central Park. It is just below the Monon Center complexes. I tell you this because I am certain that any picnic will also involve the use of the Monon Center's many facilities.

Skateboarding at its Finest

The 10,000 square foot Skatepark made especially for those who love skateboarding is a sight to behold. Hills a valleys and lots of challenges abound.

Surfaces are smooth so skateboards can glide along with getting stuck. Young teenagers seem to enjoy the Skatepark the best. As long as it is light outside, you will see youngsters on their skateboards.

I love this Skatepark, because it keeps children out of the way of traffic and gives them an enjoyable place where they can meet and skate.

The Skatepark is next to the entrance of the Monon Center where children will find water and a cool area to rest between skating. However, I don't think resting is on the minds of any of these skaters who whirl around the Skatepark with great skill.

Get Ready to Catch the Wave

The Monon Center's Waterpark is truly something to behold. Of course, the main attraction is swimming, but who would this of at least seven different ways to swim? Well, The Monon Center did just that.

The newest swimming attraction at the Waterpark is the FlowRider. This ingenious device is actually a simulated surfing ride. The description of this unique water attractions says you do not need lessons to ride it. I cannot vouch for that at all, since I can't swim.

You can ride a wave body board style or just standing. Standing on the wave? I don't think so. Lessons, however, are offered every morning to those who do not want to take the chance that this is a sport that does not need instruction or if you want to learn advanced tricks whatever they are.

In case you are interested, there is a fun fact on the FlowRider. It rushes water at 30 milesper hour and 30,000 gallons per minute. And they say it does not require lessons.

Fun for All

On the offchance that the FlowRider is not for you, there are many other swimming areas offered at the Waterpark. There is a zero depth activity pool, where you are guaranteed not to drown.

You will find a lap pool with 25 meter lanes for those who are practicing for the olympics.

There is a tiny tot slide, but the child still has to be 48 inches tall to participate.

A sand area is available where children must be under 48 inches to play. Can't say they didn't think of everything.

If you or your child are in a relaxing mood, there is a 1/8 of a mile Lazy River area where everyone just floats around gazing at the sky.

Into more exciting activities? Then try the two large water slides or better yet let your children try them.

For the really daring there is a one meter diving board and a plunge slide.

If none of this appeals to you, the park offers a concession stand and a party tent.

The Waterpark has restrooms and a lifeguard. Thank goodness for that one.

In Case it Rains or you Hate the Sun

I cannot leave this discussion without offering the option to get into the airconditioned shade of The Monon Center. I assure you that you can have just as much fun inside the center, if you are looking for a more subdued atmosphere.

You don't have to give up swimming to come inside. The Center offers an indoor pool that is quite luxurious and even contains a slide.

Not into swimming? How about an indoor walking track, a fitness center with machines and weights, or a gymnasium where basketball is king.

If learning is more your speed, the Monon Center offers all year round classes for kids, teens and adults. Tennis, fencing, dancing, photography, painting, cooking, fishing, sign language, hypnosis, meditation, social media bootcamp, bridge, and on and on. It is even possible to learn spring warbler watching, if bird watching is your thing.

What more can I say that might convince you that Central Park, the one in Carmel, Indiana, with its Monon Center is a great place for a summer fun vacation, and it is in my own great city.

For your information, I have listed some information about parks and recreation centers.

I love my city of Carmel, Indiana and am very proud of what the Mayor has done to make it one of the most attractive and fun cities in the country. I hope you enjoyed this discussion and will someday stop by in your travels.