100 Acres Art & Nature Park | Fairbanks Park at Newfields


 

The 100 Acres at Newfields

The Virginia B. Fairbanks Art and Nature Park: 100 Acres at Newfields, formerly the Indianapolis Museum of Art, is full of shady spaces in the warmer months, perfect for a picnic, an afternoon nap under the trees, family photos, discovering nature and art IN nature. During the winter, you can enjoy many of the same sights and activities, just bundle up! We’ve been exploring places we can hike with our kids in Indy and other fun spaces to get out and enjoy the outdoors, like the new Storywalk in Fishers.

Newfields was recently given a 10 million dollar grant specifically for the 100 Acres Fairbanks Art Park. With the grant, they will add bike paths and a children’s play zone among other additions and improvements! Stay tuned!

Things for Kids to do at the 100 Acres

My kids love hearing the birds chirping, seeing the leaves falling, crawling around in the grass, and practicing walking on the trails. If the 100 Acres isn’t a place your family has visited yet, add it to your “Must Do” list! Your family will see woodlands, wetlands, meadows, and a 35-acre lake (which was home to our favorite exhibit “Indy Island.”)
Kids can check out the “Funky Bones” art installation which appeared in the movie “The Fault in Our Stars.” They’ll also love the yellow art that pops up throughout the park. The tree swings are a favorite for our crew and the wild grass labyrinth is a lot of fun too!

Art at the 100 Acres

There are many pieces of art throughout the park and more art pieces will be commissioned as time goes on. In fact, Lulu and I saw a new installation underway when we last visited. Our stroller did pretty well on the trails and so much of the art was hands-on so that my children could climb and sit and play on it. We encountered wildlife on our walk to the Visitor’s Pavilion. Deer love the 100 Acres and so do many other animals.

Hours and Admission at 100 Acres Art Park

Admission is free and the park is open from 11 am to 8 pm every day, parking is free!  Drive west on 38th Street and continue past the main IMA Newfields entrance, exit onto North White River Parkway East Drive on the right. Dogs are welcome on a leash. Fishing is allowed with your Indiana Fishing License and if you use artificial bait. Guided tours are available frequently, but if you have young children, if might be more fun to explore the park on your own or using a map provided at the entrance or even a mobile tour on your smartphone.

The restrooms are located at the Ruth Lilly Pavilion. The 100 Acres restrooms are closed November – April 1st.

Hiking Tour of 100 Acres

On the first and third Saturdays of the month, meet up at 11:30 a.m. for a guided walking tour of Fairbanks Park.

If you like hiking in this area, you might want to check out the Marian University EcoLab. If you love art parks, check out the art park at the Indianapolis Art Center.

Address
4000 Michigan Rd
Indianapolis
in

Visit 100 Acres Art & Nature Park | Fairbanks Park at Newfields

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