Written by Jessica Deubner
Located 20 minutes south of Indianapolis, Franklin is home to a number of amazing parks and playgrounds. Blue Heron Park and Wetlands is one of our absolute favorites because of the sheer number of activities packed into this park. Blue Heron is huge and can easily provide a full day of outdoor activity.
If you are looking for other playgrounds to visit in Franklin, be sure to check out Young’s Creek Park or one of the other amazing parks the city has to offer.
Not One But Two Playgrounds
My kids are always so excited when we make the trip to Franklin to go to Blue Heron Park. As soon as we park the van, the kids bolt to the playground at the front of the park. This is a beautiful playground filled with modern equipment. Their absolute favorite feature is the pipe slide. It makes a great sound as they go down and is so fast!
There are plenty of spaces to climb on the play structure as well as a number of ramps making it accessible for all kids. This playground has rubber turf, making it a great choice if you are avoiding mud. You will also find a large selection of swings. We also enjoyed the swinging benches, merry-go-round, and percussion play area. There are some picnic tables close by, making it the perfect lunch spot.
The paved path to the second playground has a few interesting features along the way. The first is the stunning tree tunnel. At its peak in summer, it provides amazing shade from the hot sun. In winter, it intrigues the kids to see the twists and turns of the vines. It is such a unique feature and provides an excellent backdrop for photos.
Just past the tunnel, you will find a bike repair kit. Because the paths here connect to the Franklin Greenway Trail, you can travel quite a distance by bike. The park is perfect for a jog, too. The bike repair kit is a thoughtful extra and comes in handy in a pinch.
Just around the bend, you will find the second playground. This is a much more traditional playground with plenty of slides and climbing equipment. The ground here is mulch and the area can be prone to a bit of flooding. Be sure to have the kids wear play clothes and shoes that can get messy! It is nice to have such a wide range of playground equipment at Blue Heron Park to keep kids busy. If your children get bored at one playground, whisk them away to the other one!
Sports and Exercise are Plentiful at Blue Heron
Blue Heron Park has a variety of game options available. A 25-hole disk golf course is located on the grounds and winds through the forest near the creek for a few holes. You have a beautiful backdrop for your game as you wind through the trails. You can also find a basketball court near the second playground. There is even a cricket field located at the park. This is open for public use unless league play is taking place.
If fishing is more your sport, there is a large pond waiting for you. The surrounding grounds are beautiful, making this a tranquil place to cast a line. Make sure to bring along your fishing license. We loved walking around the pond and watching the different types of waterbirds swimming and wading around.
Back by the second playground, you can find an exercise station. We had a lot of fun taking a break from our hike and trying out different exercises on the equipment. There are directions for each machine along with modifications for different abilities. If you are looking to get a workout in, you can use the equipment while your kids play on the nearby playground.
Explore the Wetlands and Take in Nature
Our absolute favorite part of Blue Heron is walking the trails and discovering this beautiful, quiet wetland nestled in such a busy area. There are multiple entrances into the forested area. On a recent visit, we made our way through the back portion of the park and found a wooden bridge to cross, along with paths that lead down to the creek.
We had the best surprise once we got to there – loads of tiny frogs! We had a blast watching them jump. We found animal tracks and plenty of interesting plants. Many water birds such as herons, ducks, and geese frequent the area as well. I recommend downloading a Naturalist app to help you identify the different species of plants and animals you encounter.
In this area, you will find a paved path which is the connection to the Franklin Greenway Trail. You will also discover a variety of unpaved trails that meander through the forest and snake their way through ravines and creekbeds. My kids love wandering along these paths and stopping to climb on downed tree limbs.
In addition to all of these amazing features, you can also rent a shelter for events. Restrooms are seasonally available. We also found an adorable gazebo towards the back section of the park that would make for a great romantic location for a date.
Spend the Day in Franklin, Indiana
Franklin is one of our favorite places to visit in the state. There is so much to do here. The downtown is quaint, clean, and filled with one-of-a-kind boutiques, restaurants, bakeries, and stores to keep you busy. We love the festivals held throughout the year. On Saturdays in the summer, we head down to the Amphitheater for the Farmer’s Market. You can find plenty of activities and restaurants to keep your family entertained. If you are wanting to get out of Indianapolis for a date night, Franklin is filled with outstanding restaurants and unique venues to bring excitement to an evening out with your sweetheart.
Address
405 Driftwood Ct
Franklin
IN
46131
Visit Blue Heron Park and Wetlands | Franklin