Juan Solomon Park
Overview
Expert Summary
Detailed Insights
Juan Solomon Park offers easy-to-follow pseudo-wilderness trails, an 'above average' playground, and direct creek access, making it ideal for families seeking outdoor exploration and play away from urban hustle.
Key Highlights
- ✓Scenic, easy-to-follow pseudo-wilderness looping trails, especially near Crooked Creek, designed to prevent users from getting lost.
- ✓A 'well above average' playground for a public park in Indianapolis, noted as being very nice for younger children.
- ✓Short and easy walk back to Crooked Creek, particularly great for little kids.
- ✓Large open field, described as soccer-field sized, suitable for various activities.
- ✓Generally clean environment with minimal unbagged litter observed (as of Dec 2022), with recent landscaping noted as a positive.
- ✓Roofed picnic area available, equipped with a crude charcoal barbecue grill.
- ✓Fenced tennis courts are on-site.
Standout Features
- ⭐Scenic 'pseudo-wilderness' looping trails near Crooked Creek with clear navigation, ideal for a worry-free nature walk.
- ⭐A 'well above average' public park playground that stands out in the area, specifically noted as very nice for younger children.
- ⭐Convenient and short access to Crooked Creek, appealing for young explorers.
- ⭐Expansive 'soccer field sized' open clearing, offering ample space for active play.
- ⭐Roofed picnic area complete with a charcoal barbecue grill, perfect for family meals.
- ⭐Fenced tennis courts for sports enthusiasts.
Perfect For
Ideal For
💡Pro Tips from Reviews
- →Avoid visiting during peak summer sun hours (mid-day) due to the lack of shade and hot metal playground equipment; opt for cooler seasons or early mornings/late afternoons.
- →Bring your own charcoal if you plan to utilize the barbecue grill at the picnic area.
- →Be prepared for fallen trees on hiking paths; these obstacles make bicycling impossible and may pose difficulties for strollers or those with limited mobility.
- →Pack all necessary supplies (snacks, water, sunscreen, hats, insect repellent) as there are no shops or commercial amenities nearby.
- →Consider visiting on a weekday morning for a quieter experience, as low crowd levels were reported (only 6 people seen).
Things to Consider
- ⚠Hiking paths are interrupted by fallen/broken trees, making them unsuitable for bicycling and potentially challenging for strollers or those with mobility issues.
- ⚠Lack of shade over the main park/playground area, causing it to be very hot and bright in summer, especially for metal play equipment which can get very hot.
- ⚠The park is isolated, distant from any commercial districts, shops, or other obvious places to visit, meaning no nearby amenities for forgotten items or additional activities.
Price & Value
This is a public park, implying free access to all facilities. No specific pricing for activities or amenities was mentioned, suggesting excellent value for a family outdoor outing.
♿Accessibility & Special Needs
- •No specific accommodations for special needs were mentioned. Fallen trees on trails could impede wheelchair access or stroller use for those with mobility challenges.
🍎Food & Drink Policy
- •Outside food and picnics are implicitly encouraged due to the presence of a roofed picnic area with a barbecue grill and the park's isolated location away from commercial food vendors.
🚗Parking Info
- •No specific details on parking were provided, but as a public park, it is expected to have free parking, and no issues were reported, suggesting it is adequate and accessible.
👥Crowd Levels
- •Quiet on weekday mornings, with only a few other visitors reported (e.g., 6 people).
🛡️Safety Features
- •Trails are described as 'subtly obvious to follow' with elements in view, soothing concerns about getting lost, enhancing a sense of safety on paths.
- •Tennis courts are fenced for safety. No direct staff supervision or dedicated first aid stations were mentioned.
⏰When to Avoid
- • Mid-day summer visits due to intense heat, direct sun exposure, and potentially scorching metal playground equipment.
- • If your primary activity involves bicycling on the trails, as fallen trees frequently block pathways.
- • If you require immediate access to shops, restaurants, or other commercial services.
Pricing/Package/Events
What People Say
What's Great
- Spacious play areas (mentioned in 3 reviews)
Areas for Improvement
- Parking can be challenging (mentioned in 4 reviews)
Recent Reviews
Mark Petrison
2 years agoEspecially nice pseudo-wilderness walking trails. The looping paths feel close to pure woodlands, and are sometimes scenic (esp. near Crooked Creek); but the paths are still subtly obvious to follow, and there seemed to always be something in view that soothed any concerns that I might be getting lost. There are some fallen trees interrupting hiking paths, which I find endearing; but they're admittedly awful for any thoughts about bicycling. At least at the moment (Dec 2022), there was little unbagged litter visible. A few garbage bags needed to find their way to a dumpster (or similar destination.) Other notes: soccer field sized clearing; fenced tennis courts; well above average playground for a public park in Indy; roofed picnic area, with crude charcoal barbecue grill. Worst park feature is that it's distant from any commercial district, shops, or many other obvious places to visit.
Leanne Purdy
10 months agoHas some issues. There's no shade over the park itself, so the summer sun makes it very hot and bright. Whoch isn't great because so much of the equipment is metal.
Amy Lurker
4 years agoReally nice little park, short walk back to the creek, which was great for little kids. Nice big open field for playing and a really nice playground. We only saw 6 other people on a weekday morning.
Michele Hamilton
a year agoThis was my first time at this park with my grand daughter. She really liked it. The landscaping company came and cleaned. A definite plus.
Jasheena Shelton
4 years agoVery nice play area for younger children. Trails need to be cleared again as there were broken trees blocking pathways.