After some construction delays, the West Commons Playground at Central Park is now open to the public, including the splash pad area.
Originally, it was hoped that the playground could open in mid-summer with the splash pad components, but Carmel Clay Parks Director Mark Westermeier said weather and other mitigating factors delayed opening until Sept. 2. The splash pads opened on Labor Day.
Part of the delay is that Carmel Clay Parks has built a destination play area unlike anything in the metropolitan area, Westermeier said, with more than 25,000 square feet for climbing, swinging, sliding, exploration and water play.
The playground has a futuristic appearance and features two, 32-foot-tall enclosed towers with bridges, walkways, slides, climbing opportunities throughout the play area and numerous tunnels and coves.
“The response has been very good so far,” Westermeier said. “The kids are loving it and so are the parents.”
Westermeier said crowding shouldn’t be a problem, because the parking lot has been built to be compatible with the capacity of the park.
Wheelchair accessibility was considered when the park was built, and there are many features available at ground levels.
The park is west of the Monon Community Center at 1195 Central Park Dr. W., west of the Central Park bridge. Parking is available adjacent to the playground. The easiest way is to access the playground off of College Avenue, between 116th and 111th Streets.
