Running Indyparks
mojohowitz
Posts: 900 Member
I have done quite a bit of running (trotting and wheezing) at Ft. Ben Harrison and Southeastway Park. Ft. Ben is closer to town but Southeastway is nice if you are looking to escape the urban environment. The outer loop at Southeastway Park is 2.25 miles I believe and the loop around the pond at Ft. Harrison (with the ridiculously huge hill) is 2 miles.
Both seem pretty safe. I don't see any creepy types in vans or teenagers causing problems. Mostly families and old folks walking dogs.
Anyone recommend any of the other parks?
Both seem pretty safe. I don't see any creepy types in vans or teenagers causing problems. Mostly families and old folks walking dogs.
Anyone recommend any of the other parks?
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I love running in Eagle Creek Park, both road and trails. The main roads have a bike/run lane and drivers are (mostly) careful and aware on side roads. Trails are well maintained and have lots of small hills. (Just FYI, bikes are not allowed on trails in case someone is thinking of biking there)0
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I'd recommend exploring the off-road trails at Fort Ben as well. The Lawrence Creek trail is a nice unpaved loop, with some hills for a bit of a challenge, and is criss-crossed by mountain bike trails that are also fun to run on.
Speaking of bike trails, the Town Run Trail on 96th St. is a blast to run on, but it's pretty heavily used by cyclists, so keep aware and be polite about stepping to the side--you have a lot more control than the bikes do! For a bike-free experience, there are a couple of organized trail races there during the year--the DINO one has options of 5K or 15K, and I think the other one is just a 5K.0 -
I'd recommend exploring the off-road trails at Fort Ben as well. The Lawrence Creek trail is a nice unpaved loop, with some hills for a bit of a challenge, and is criss-crossed by mountain bike trails that are also fun to run on.
Speaking of bike trails, the Town Run Trail on 96th St. is a blast to run on, but it's pretty heavily used by cyclists, so keep aware and be polite about stepping to the side--you have a lot more control than the bikes do! For a bike-free experience, there are a couple of organized trail races there during the year--the DINO one has options of 5K or 15K, and I think the other one is just a 5K.
Thanks majope! Can you give any pointers on where the trail heads might be for Lawrence Creek and Town Run (or if not the "head" at least a good place to jump on)?0 -
There are two trail heads for Lawrence Creek. One is over by Walnut Plantation--there's a parking lot there just past the walnut trees, shortly before the road ends for cars, if that makes sense. I think it's called the Walnut Trailhead on the map. The other is called the Lawrence Creek Trailhead. If you come in the park entrance on Post Road, take the first left past the gate house and there's a small parking lot on the left side of the road, with the trail head across the street.
Or do what I do--park at the bathrooms across from the sledding hill, and it's an easy run to either trail head. And there's a bathroom when you get back.
Map here: http://www.in.gov/dnr/parklake/files/ftharrison_trail.pdf
For Town Run: the park is on the south side of 96th St., between Keystone and Allisonville Rd. I take Keystone to 96th St., turn right onto 96th, and it's about 1.8 miles, on the right just past Hazel Dell Parkway. If you want to mapquest it, the address is 5325 E. 96th St.
Site here: http://www.indy.gov/eGov/City/DPR/Greenways/Pages/Town Run Trail Park.aspx0 -
Great info! Thanks!0
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This is a very cool site. I had NO idea Indy had this many running/biking trails.
http://www.indianatrails.com/content/indianapolis-trail-system0 -
This is a very cool site. I had NO idea Indy had this many running/biking trails.
http://www.indianatrails.com/content/indianapolis-trail-system
Nice link, thanks!0 -
I agree! Very sweet link!0
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Southwestway Park has some really great trails for hiking or running (as well as mountain biking and horseback riding). I work for Indy Parks and this is one of my favorites!0
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Southwestway Park has some really great trails for hiking or running (as well as mountain biking and horseback riding). I work for Indy Parks and this is one of my favorites!
So, YOU'RE the one they based Parks & Rec on..... :laugh:0 -
A really nice place to run/walk is Crown Hill Cemetary, if your not spooked by a cemetery. I walk their alot have learned a lot about famous people from the city and theres like 35 miles of road, a lot of wildlife and things to look at and you can make your walk/run with hills etc. It works for me and its definitely quiet...so far i havent seen any ghost or had any issues while walking.0
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Southwestway Park has some really great trails for hiking or running (as well as mountain biking and horseback riding). I work for Indy Parks and this is one of my favorites!
So, YOU'RE the one they based Parks & Rec on..... :laugh:
Love that show!
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A really nice place to run/walk is Crown Hill Cemetary, if your not spooked by a cemetery. I walk their alot have learned a lot about famous people from the city and theres like 35 miles of road, a lot of wildlife and things to look at and you can make your walk/run with hills etc. It works for me and its definitely quiet...so far i havent seen any ghost or had any issues while walking.
I think I'd be ok running there in the daytime... but at night... probably not I run by the cemetary in our small town sometimes at night and it gives me the creeps for some reason-- I don't know why. I'm always really glad to get past it. 0 -
A really nice place to run/walk is Crown Hill Cemetary, if your not spooked by a cemetery. I walk their alot have learned a lot about famous people from the city and theres like 35 miles of road, a lot of wildlife and things to look at and you can make your walk/run with hills etc. It works for me and its definitely quiet...so far i havent seen any ghost or had any issues while walking.
I think I'd be ok running there in the daytime... but at night... probably not I run by the cemetary in our small town sometimes at night and it gives me the creeps for some reason-- I don't know why. I'm always really glad to get past it.
You'll be alright. Dead people are soooooo slow.0 -
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