Founders Park

My granddaughter attends summer camp at Founders Park so I get the occasional opportunity to go to the park to drop her off or pick her up. The park is ideal setting for learning, relaxing and playing. There are nice tree-lined walkways through the park. The natural prairie vegetation and wild flowers attract birds and butterflies. The walkways are concrete and easily maneuverable for all abilities. The walkways are a good place to walk the dog.There is a nice play ground with climbing structures for toddlers and older kids and sets of swings that includes apparatus for special needs kids and infants. Some of the structures area covered to provide shade. There are benches around the playground for parents. A long sand pit for the kids to play is unique to this playground. The playground has soft matting to cushion the falls. A huge pristine pavilion with picnic tables and restroom facilities is adjacent to the playground. There are even rocking chairs on a covered deck area to sit and enjoy the day.The park also has opened green space and two soccer fields for field sports. The park is maintained by Carmel Parks and Rec. and is located near the intersection of 116th and Hazel Dell. There is parking at several locations throughout.

This is a great little park in Carmel near 116th Street and Hazel Dell Parkway. My workplace rented out Wilfong Pavillion for a socially-distanced staff meeting and it's a great space - tall ceilings, plenty of room to spread out, clean bathrooms and a nice patio area. After the meeting, I explored the small loop of park trails. The gravel path turns into pavement as you weave through the property. There's a pond/lagoon area that's not entirely visible from the parking lot. You can walk right to the water.The playground and picnic shelter area looks to be a hit with families.If you're looking for a place to take a long walk, Founders Park likely isn't your spot. I got only 1,500 steps walking on the trails.

Founders Park is a suburban sprawling park with a playground, multi-use building, recreational area, and walking paths. There is also a pond where fishing is permitted.Since there is a play area and a multi-use facility, there are restrooms on site. Disposal bags for dogs are also located in a few years. Park seems to be generally well maintained. I usually prefer a quick trip to the nearby Flowing Well Park, but since the snow was in the process of melting, I didn't want to get too muddy. So I used the paved paths around here.This is also a good place to get water if you're biking via the paths on Hazel Dell.

A fun and unique park for kiddos of all ages to have fun.There is a "river" of sand with lots of space to accommodate several children. Then, as if that was t enough, there are swings for infants and for older kiddos as well. Once kiddos have filled their fun with swings, there is a play set decorated with fossilized carvings. And for the climbers, there is a rope tower.Once play is done, there are foot and sand toy rinsing stations (during summer season).Oh and I should mention there is a covered picnic area with ample tables to sit and enjoy food or simply the shade.Overall, this is a very clean and fun place to burn off energy with the kiddos!

So so nice to have a place for sand play that is relatively close by! My kids could play here for hours (age 2 &3). Truly a gem. The playground and climbing part makes you feel like we live somewhere else. We really enjoyed it and will definitely be a new favorite spot.

Popped into Founders Park to burn off a little steam before picking up the big sister from school. We hadn't been to the park in quite a while... And some things have changed. Make sure to bring your own sand toys. We happened to have a few in the car to use, but buckets, trucks, shovels and any other sand toys are highly recommended. There weren't any there to play with that hadn't been brought by someone when we were there. Also, watch the slides. Most of the playground equipment is in the sun so the slides and swings get kind of hot. *There is a foot washing station where the kids can rinse off before heading home and even grab some water to take back to the sand to make it better for packing!

Although a lot of the park is open green space and lacks much character, I love the look of the playground and main pavilion area. If I was a little kid again, this is the kind of playground I would have totally enjoyed. Instead of the run of the mill playground like most parks, this place features "rocks" and sand trails. I loved climbing and digging as a kid. When you add the hidden surprises formed into the rock piles, I couldn't help but start searching for more (and there are plenty!)The pavilion is large and has lots of shaded area and tables to relax while the kids play close by. The grounds looked well maintained and the parking lot was just a few steps away if you needed to get something from the car. Review #740

What a great place to play! This park has some really unique features that I've never seen before, including these awesome swings that are like chairs. They were pretty popular with the kids the last time we visited.There are little animals and creatures hidden all around the playground -- rabbits, frogs, lizards, turtles. It's cute to hear the little kids discover them as they play. Underneath a huge awning is several rows of picnic benches, which looks like a great place to have lunch with your friends in the cool shade.

There is a lot to love at Founder's Park. Nearly everything in the park is handicap friendly which also makes it easy for little kids under 4. There are plenty of climbing features and slides for big kids, and enough swings to go around. The massive sand trench that runs the length of the play area is both a pro and a con so don't come if you aren't prepared to get dirty.The shelter boasts 12 picnic tables, bathrooms, and an area for rinsing sand off your feet. I wish the rocking porch faced anywhere but the parking lot and there could be more shade, but an all around great place for the family.

This is a gorgeous park, especially if have little little ones.. The sand areas has the cleanest sand I have ever seen... It was amazing..So we were having a blast just until the sky's opened up and dumped on us... The nice thing, there are plenty of areas to get shelter fast...Lots of swings, nice play areas, sand pits, a nice annex with bathrooms and a water fountain..Great place to bring the kids..