Written by Ashley Dykton
In May 2024, Frederick Douglass Park & Family Center completed its multimillion-dollar renovation that was a part of Mayor Hogsett’s Circle City Forward Initiative. The Circle City Forward Initiative invested $45 million into major park redevelopment projects across the city.
Named after abolitionist Frederick Douglass, this park was one of the first in the city to welcome black residents in the 1920s and was once known as the city’s “black park.” It is located in the Martindale-Brightwood community. The renovations to the Frederick Douglass Family Center make it the largest in the Indy Park system.
Frederick Douglass Family Center
The newly updated family center not only features a 2-court gymnasium, fitness room, and walking track but also has a kitchen, gaming room, a dance studio, and rooms that are utilized for classes, programs, meetings, and rental spaces.
Fitness Room
Frederick Douglass Family Center features a new state-of-the-art fitness room that is located upstairs. This area features an elliptical, treadmill, recumbent bike, other cardio equipment, weightlifting machines, dumbbells, and free weights. For adults, the daily fee to utilize this space is $3 and the monthly membership for access to the weight room is $10.
Walking Track
The Frederick Douglass Family Center has an upstairs walking track. There is no fee for the indoor track. The inside lane is for walking and the outside lane is for jogging, running, and passing. Youth ages 9 to 12 must walk beside an adult. No more than two people should walk side by side and no strollers or skates are allowed. Visitors are asked to keep moving while on the track as spectating or standing on the track to watch the gym below is not allowed.
Gymnasium
The Frederick Douglass Family Center’s gymnasium has two courts that are used for basketball, badminton, pickleball, volleyball, family open gym, and other activities. For adult open gym (including pickleball, basketball, badminton, and volleyball) the cost is $3 to drop in and $15 for a monthly membership. For youth under 18, there is no fee for open gym times.
Family and Youth Open Gym
Mon-Fri: 3-5 pm
Sat: 12-3:30 pm
Cost: Free
Adults with Adaptive Needs
Mon & Fri: 12 pm
Cost: $1
This designated time allows adults with adaptive needs the space to play basketball, badminton, bowling, and other activities.
Volleyball
Mon & Fri: 6-7:30 pm
Cost: $3 drop-in rate or $15 Monthly Pass
Pickleball
Mon, Wed, & Fri: 10 am-12 pm
Cost: $3 drop-in rate or $15 Monthly Pass
Badminton
Thurs & Fri: 6-7:30 pm
Cost: $3 drop-in rate or $15 Monthly Pass
Basketball
Basketball youth open gym is free but times and days are subject to change daily based on rentals and in-house programs.
Teen Open Gym
Youth open gym at the Frederick Douglass Family Center is a designated time set aside for those aged 13 to 17 to play in the gymnasium. The current open gym schedule is subject to change based on programs and rentals.
Cost: Free
Youth and Teen Programming
The Frederick Douglass Park and Family Center offers free and low-cost programming for children and teens. Program information, cost, and registration can be found here.
Frederick Douglass Playground
Frederick Douglass Park received funding from the Lilly Endowment Grant to improve their outside facilities. The Lily Endowment Grant distributed $80 million dollars in 2022 towards improvements across 42 parks in the Indy Parks system to be completed by 2025.
The new playground has a mud-free foam ground covering and artificial grass, several new climbing structures, a nature play area, exercise equipment, and musical instruments. The mess-free foam ground is brightly colored with yellow and cooling shades of blue which plays off the colors of the large playground structure. There is also artificial grass on small hills with climbing features including climbing wall rocks. There are plenty of benches and picnic tables throughout the park with plenty of shade provided by the large trees, the shelter pavilions, and sunshades.
The playground has a nature play area with various shaped logs to climb on. Some even have a tunnel to climb through. You’ll also find various spinning features and a large swing set. Looking to stay active while the kids play? There is an outdoor pickleball court and around the park are areas where you can find stationary exercise equipment. The playground structures have a lot of rope climbing features, so keep that in mind when your child picks out what shoes to wear.
Frederick Douglass Space Rentals
The Frederick Douglass Family Center and Park offers a variety of spaces for the public to rent for events, meetings, celebrations, and parties. The availability varies and the indoor spaces are offered only during the operating business hours. Please note that the full amount of the rental is due at the time of the booking.
Prices listed are accurate at the time of publishing, but subject to change.
Frankie Casel Room
$150 Full Room | $80 Half Room per hour
Holds about 150 people
Daniel “Pops” Calvin Room
$40 per hour
Holds about 30 to 40 people
Art Room
$30 per hour
Holds about 20 people
Dance Room
$45 per hour
Holds about 20 to 30 people
Program Room
$40 per hour
Holds about 30 to 40 people
Gymnasium
$150 Full Gym | $70 Half Gym per hour
Holds about 200 people
Podcast Studio
$25 per hour
Holds 2 to 3 people
eGaming Room
$50 per hour
Holds about 10 people
Large Multi-purpose Room (upstairs)
$60 per hour
Holds about 50 people
Kitchen
$25 per hour
Shelter #1 (Outdoor Rental)
$125 for the day
Includes: 15 long picnic tables, 2 grills
Holds about 75 to 100 people
Shelter #2 (Outdoor Rental)
$75 for the day
Includes: 6 long picnic tables, 2 grills
Holds about 50 people
Frederick Douglass Park Hours
Hours listed are accurate at the time of publishing, but subject to change. Please verify directly with the venue before your visit.
Park Hours
Dawn to dusk
Family Center Hours
Mon-Fri: 9 am-8 pm
Sat: 9 am-5 pm
Frederick Douglass Family Center and Park is a great addition to the community! Make sure you follow Indy Parks Frederick Douglass Park for updates on upcoming free and low-cost programs offered and registration information.
Address
1616 E. 25th Street
Indianapolis
Visit Frederick Douglass Park & Family Center