Even during winters’ chilliest days, there’s still fun to be had #AroundFishers! Fishers Parks has compiled a list of our staff’s favorite activities at five different parks around the city for winter fun and cold weather ecotherapy.
While most people tend to hibernate indoors during the winter, there’s ample health benefits to enjoying nature during the colder months. From staying active and getting the blood flowing to decreasing stress and the beating the winter blues, a hike in the brisk air or a trip to the park can do wonders for your mental, physical, and emotional health.
Head to playfishers.com to explore parks and trail maps and grab your coat and head outside for our top winter activities.
Ritchey Woods Nature Preserve
10410 Hague Road
Ritchey Woods Nature Preserve is the perfect place to unplug. The park, one of only two state designated nature preserves in Hamilton County, is approximately 127 acres and boasts nine beautiful nature trails totaling over 2.25 miles that are perfect for running, walking, or enjoying time in nature. Learn more by visiting playfishers.com/ RitcheyWoods.
THINGS TO DO:
- Have a dance party on the stage in the prairie.
- Take a walk along the trail to find the pioneer graveyard.
- Photo time! Find the boardwalk and snap a photo.
- Count how many animals you see on your hike – deer, rabbits, and other wildlife love our trails!
- Gather your family and take a selfie on the bridge.
Upcoming event:
Taking place on Saturday, February 10 from 9 to 11 a.m., Heart Hike is presented by Fishers’ Parks at Ritchey Woods. During your short, self-led hike, look for images of hearts that are naturally occurring in nature placed along the walking trails. Learn more at playfishers.com.
Holland Park
1 Park Drive
Located in the heart of Fishers, Roy G. Holland Memorial Park is Fishers’ first municipal park, developed in 1991. The park is approximately 34 acres and offers a variety of amenities for all age groups and abilities. From sports fields and basketball courts to playgrounds and picnic areas, the central location and proximity to several neighborhoods makes the park a hub for activity year-round. Learn more at playfishers.com/Holland.
THINGS TO DO:
- Bundle up and take an evening walk around the multi-use trail loop.
- King of the castle! Take a photo from the top of the playground.
- Pick out a book (or donate one you’ve already read) at the Little Free Library.
- Play a game of Horse on the basketball court.
- Playground time!
- Take a video going down one of the tunnel slides.
Heritage Park
10595 Eller Road
One of Fishers’ most charming parks, Heritage Park is a hidden gem in the heart of Fishers. The 33-acre park is known for its scenic multi-use and wooded nature trails, one of the best sledding hills in the city, and the beautiful Historic Ambassador House and Heritage Gardens. Learn more at playfishers.com/Heritage.
THINGS TO DO:
- Build a snowman in the field and give them a name and cool outfit.
- Grab your sleds and saucers and head down the sledding hill.
- Find an animal track on the trail and try to identify it.
- Take a walk along the trail and count how many steps it takes to make one loop.
- Visit the front porch of the Ambassador House and check out the historical marker to learn about the houses’ history
The Nickel Plate District & The NPD AMP Pavilion
6 Municipal Drive
The Nickel Plate District Amphitheater (NPD AMP) is one of Central Indiana’s premier outdoor music and event venues! Each year, it hosts a variety of events including concerts, cultural events, festivals, the Fishers Farmers’ Market, and much more. The outdoor venue is open year-round and can hold performances from a simple acoustic set to an orchestral ensemble to a 5,000-person concert. Learn more at playfishers.com/NPDAMP.
Steps away is The NPD AMP Pavilion featuring a patio with seating for dining al fresco and a fountain available during the summer months. The glass pavilion features restrooms, tables, and natural lighting. Learn more at playfishers.com/Pavilion.
THINGS TO DO:
- Be the “I” in Fishers – Take a photo along the back of the Pavilion.
- Play a game of hopscotch along the sidewalks.
- Dance, sing, or play your best air guitar on the NPD AMP stage.
- Winter is the best time for star gazing – look for constellations from the NPD AMP lawn.
- Warm up! Enjoy a cup of hot cocoa or coffee on The Pavilion patio
Flat Fork Creek Park
16141 East 101st Street
Tucked away on the east side of Fishers, Flat Fork Creek Park is the perfect place to escape the busyness of the season. The park is just over 60 acres and features unique and diverse amenities and activities for every age, ability, and interest, including a sledding hill (the tallest in Hamilton County!), treehouses nestled in the woods, a fishing pond, and boardwalk with paved and nature trails. Learn more when you check out playfishers.com/FlatFork.
THINGS TO DO:
- Visit one of the treehouses for great views!
- Hang a hammock in the trees and listen to the sounds of nature.
- Try your hand on the mountain bike trails.
- A Fishers Favorite – climb to the top of the highest point in Hamilton County for sledding fun.
- Balancing act: try to balance two people on the mountain bike teeters.