7 free family-friendly things to do in Hamilton County parks this May
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Weary of paying top dollar for mid outdoor adventures involving high strung ropes, wet slides and thick tires?
With four large suburbs and an expansive network of county parks there's no shortage of free recreational activities in Hamilton County as summer nears. Here are some of the best family activities in May:
Fishers Agri Park
A little-known bucolic gem in the suburb known for its high-tech entrepreneurship is this corner of fauna and flora on the East Side.
The 33-acre urban farm at 11171 Florida Road opens its 5th season Thursday, May 1.
The park has rows of planted produce such as tomatoes, squash, lettuce and sweet corn that are free for the picking, gardens, a playground, nature trail and nurseries.
Patrons can also get close to animals in the livestock area, petting or feeding a horse, cattle, sheep chicken, goats and the resident pig, Otis.
The farm this year added indoor restrooms and classroom and programming space. For more information call 317-595-3150 or visit FishersAgriPark.com.
Coxhall Gardens
The 125-acre county park in West Carmel offers much to explore at 11677 Towne Road.
Visitors are welcomed by the Centerpiece, two 90-foot-high bell towers, a gazebo, fountain and tiered lawn seating.
A trail winds around a recreational lake and leads to an arboretum, woods and garden, as well as a children's garden with village stores, a sun-dial, tiki huts and peek-a-boo hills.
On May 24, the restored Williams House will open to the public for its free inaugural tour at 1 p.m. The two-story 1865 Italianate brick home has its original flooring in the kitchen, where a staircase leads to three bedrooms in their original layout on the second floor.
On May 21, a tour of Coxhall Mansion will start at 4 pm. The tour will provide information about the Cox Family legacy, the park's namesake, the stately mansion, its grounds and the family's ties to Hamilton County.
Creek stomping
Fishers has several nature parks and within them, creeks, which can only mean one thing: creek stomping.
The activity is as simple as it sounds — a chance to wade into the shallow water and explore what lurks below, or above: small fish, large birds, frogs, dragonflies, turtles and dragonflies. Skip rocks, build a dam. The four best spots in Fishers are:
Flat Fork Creek Park,16141 E 101st St.
Cheeney Creek Natural Area, 11030 Fishers Pointe Blvd.
Cumberland Park, 10580 Cumberland Road
Brooks School Park, 1180 Brooks School Road
Cherry Blossom Festival
The City of Carmel will host its first-ever Cherry Blossom Festival on Sunday, May 4 at 1 p.m. The festival will be held at the Japanese Garden on the grounds of Carmel City Hall and is a celebration of Carmel's sister city, Kawachinagano, Japan, and Japanese culture.
Visitors will get the opportunity to dabble in traditional Japanese arts such as calligraphy and try on garb like kimonos and yukata. Violinist Yuri Horiuchi will be among those performing music, dance and martial arts. Unfortunately the Cherry Blossoms will not be in bloom and the garden is undergoing an expansion — but pictures of the finished work will be available.
Free parking is available in the following locations:
Civic Square Garage, 50 Red Truck Road
Veterans Way Garage at Carmel City Center, 100 City Center Drive
The Center Public Parking at Allied Solutions Center for the Performing Arts, 819 3rd Ave. SW.
Proscenium Garage, 1225 Veterans Way
Peony Festival
Peony Palooza takes over Noblesville on May 17 as the city celebrates the sweetly-scented large blooming state flower. The Indiana Peony Festival kicks off in Seminary Park, which will be alive with peonies, music, merchandise and plants for sale. More than 150 stores and other locations along the Peony Trail throughout downtown Noblesville will feature cut flowers, bouquets, plants, clothes and decor.
This will be the festival's fifth anniversary. The Indiana general designated Peony as state flower in 1957.
The festival drew 50,000 visitors to Noblesville last year.
Volunteer to water trees
The Carmel-Clay Parks and Recreation Department gives children a chance to get their hands wet while communing with nature.
The department celebrated Arbor Day 2025 by planting 100 native trees at West Park, 2700 W. 116th St. and is now seeking volunteers to water them. The free event is May 7 from 3:00 until 4:30 p.m. To sign up visit https://volunteer.bloomerang.co/web-admin/app/#/join-party?k=975oxwoipp8nn5.
Free fishing
On May 11 participants of all ages and skill levels are invited to a free fishing day hosted by the Indiana Department of Natural Resources at Meadowlark Park, 450 Meadow Lane, at the East Shelter.
Carmel Clay Parks and Recreation's website.
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