Forest Manor Park

Under ordinary circumstances, I would likely trash Forest Manor Park, an Eastside Indy 18.8 acre neighborhood park that was established in 1937 and continues to serve the area around 21st and Sherman. The park has three defined areas - a north end green space appropriate for picnics or just chilling out, a playground area in the center of the park, and a baseball area on the south end that has hosted the Indianapolis chapter of Reviving Baseball in Inner Cities (which is actually called Play Ball Indiana) since 2012. Reviving Baseball is an offshoot of the charitable arm of Major League Baseball and is designed to promote baseball among kids aged 5-12. The park actually has four baseball fields and a practice area. This was yet another park I stumbled across tonight while doing a post-work drive to sort of wind down. This is also another park that I'd never visited before despite the fact it's about 3-4 miles from my home. Ordinarily, I'd probably call this a 2-star park. It's a tremendously run down area with bare minimum playground equipment that is worn and ragged along with baseball diamonds that clearly are not well maintained. The park itself does have mature trees and decent parking within the park and along area streets. This is a definite neighborhood park with lots of houses surrounding it. Nothing here is likely to appeal to wheelchair users. The playground equipment isn't accessible, though you could probably wheel to it. The baseball diamonds are rough enough that even the ground would likely cause a risk of tipping. This park isn't particularly far from the vastly superior Brookside and Spades parks. Wheelchair users would probably be most comfortable at Brookside (Spades has its own accessibility issues). Pogue's Run also is more accessible than this park. This is the true definition of a neighborhood park. Unless you're actually from this area, there's little reason to visit but if you are from this area there are enough options for recreation that it may be worth your while. I'm also pretty sure there's no restroom facilities here, though I'll confess I didn't really stay here long tonight.

This park has plenty of shade on the north end, baseball fields on the south end, and a playground and parking lot in the middle. There is also street parking all along the park, so you don't have to travel far to the specific part of the park you wish to use.The playground has some swings and climbing equipment with slides. There are some benches for adults to rest while supervising. Not a lot of equipment, but sufficient.Access is easiest from 21st Street. Forest Manor road does not go through to 16th, so you have to know your way around to get to the park from the south.Review #576

I attended baseball games at this facility and was very disappointed. The fields were in very rough condition and no bleachers for fans. The worse thing was there were no restrooms for any participant. Fans and players had the leave the field or use the woods. Unbelievable!

Come to watch my nephew play ball and while waiting on second game to start, parents going to concession stand to get there kids something to eat where turned away b/c they ran out of food. When you have a venue like this with kids you should make sure your stack up on supplies.. They had lots of candy but no food (hot dogs, hamburgers etc) with substance.. Ridiculous!!!