Coxhall Gardens | Explore Butterfly Village Children’s Play Area

Driving through the gates of Coxhall Gardens, a world of wide open spaces, water, and immaculate gardens is revealed. If you time it just right, your arrival can be announced via the sounds of bells ringing from both clock towers (Carillon Bell Towers) that jet upwards at the front of the property and then again towards the back. My kids love it when we arrive on the hour and roll the windows down to hear the beautiful music. The next time they ring, it generally signals our time to depart after an hour of playing in the park. It works really well with my little ones.

Coxhall Gardens

Coxhall Gardens in Carmel is a serene 125-acre park featuring a recreation lake, the Centerpiece outdoor amphitheater, walking trails, twin 90-foot tall bell towers, and a Children’s Play Area. The Children’s Play Area is an amazing place to explore with curious little ones. It has village stores, echo walls, a sand play area, and lots more.

The grounds of Coxhall Gardens are so beautiful that it is an ideal setting for weddings and photography sessions. On any given day, you will find children running around in the play area, kids flying kites in the wide open fields, families fishing, runners on the trails, and you may even catch a concert at the Centerpiece.

Explore the Children’s Play Area

The Children’s Play Area is full of whimsical and natural features that allow nature and imagination to meet in a colorful way. Void of traditional playground equipment, the Children’s Play Area was designed to foster imaginative play. Explore Butterfly Village which is made up of wooden storefronts, like a Bank, Grocery Store, Library, Pet Store, and Jail. Enjoy lunch under a tiki hut surrounded by sand on “the island“, take a ride down the slide, listen for your friends’ echos on the Whispering Wall, get lost in the Grasshopper Maze, bring a bucket to play in the sand, climb on top of or through tunnels in the Tunnel Run, dance on the rainbow path through the Children’s Garden, check the time on the sundial, and swing together on the bench swing.

When the pollinator gardens are in season, chase butterflies, enter the maze, and learn about all of the different types of gardens growing and what the modern and historical plant uses are. Don’t miss the colorful Quilt Garden out front with a design and theme that changes every year.

There is a separate parking area right next to the Children’s Play Area. There, you will find bathrooms, drinking fountains, and new picnic shelters.

Enjoy a Concert at The Centerpiece Amphitheater

The dramatic Coxhall Gardens Centerpiece features a gazebo, fountains, and tiered lawn seating on stone benches with stone steps. There are also accessible paved paths down to the lower level. There are often concerts in the Centerpiece in summer and fall, as well as weddings and private events.

Go Fishing and Turtle Spotting

Adjacent to the Children’s Garden is a small fishing pond with a dock jutting out over the water. It’s a safe space for the little ones to fish with the protective wooden railing. In the main part of Coxhall Gardens is a huge pond full of turtles, frogs, ducks, geese, and lots of fish. We’ve caught a lot of sunfish here. You can even fish under the bridge for some shade.

Take a Break in the Picnic Shelters

After its 2022 renovations, new picnic shelters were installed near the Children’s Garden parking lot. There is also a Children’s Garden Outdoor Classroom with picnic tables, a grill, and tables. These areas can be rented out for birthday parties and private events through the Hamilton County Parks & Recreation Department.

Hike or Bike the Trails

All of the different parts of Coxhall Gardens are connected by accessible, paved pathways. Start at the Children’s Play Area parking lot, stroll past the Quilt Garden, peek into the bell tower, walk past the Coxhall Mansion and through the Centerpiece amphitheater, climb the steps up to Campbell Crossing for 360-degree picturesque views, continue down by the pond, go under the bridge, search for turtles in the pond, admire kites in the sky, and hopefully pass by the other bell tower as it chimes.

Trails also connect Coxhall Gardens to the Village of West Clay where you can shop for candy at Candy Pizzazz, grab a pint at Danny Boy Beer Works, eat at Sahm’s or Greeks Pizza, and play at the traditional playground. This is just one of many trails to hike and bike in Carmel.

Take a Guided Tour or Attend Programs & Events

There are many different youth and family programs that take place throughout the park during the year. In the summer, catch Sunday concerts at the Centerpiece. You can take a free guided tour of the Coxhall Mansion and Museum or host a luncheon in the historic music room on the third floor of the mansion. Plan a wonderful outdoor wedding at the Centerpiece with a reception in the tented pavilion on-site. Or choose this location for a professional photo shoot.

Find More To Do in Carmel

Be sure to explore all that Carmel has to offer. There are lots of wonderful things to do in Carmel with kids, including visiting all of the family-friendly parks and playgrounds. The Monon Trail connects to tons of other hiking and biking trails so you can walk, bike, or stroll throughout town. You will find great family-friendly restaurants in Carmel, many in downtown Carmel, aka the Carmel Arts & Design District. If you’re looking for a more romantic option, Carmel has several restaurants that are perfect for date night.

Have you visited Coxhall Gardens? Share your comments and pictures with us below or tag us on social media using #PLAYindy. Follow Indy with Kids on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and Pinterest for all of the best ideas and things to do with kids in Indy!

Address
11677 Towne Road
Carmel
Indiana
46032

Visit Coxhall Gardens | Explore Butterfly Village Children’s Play Area

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