There is a brand-new playground in Carmel, and this one is hitting all the right notes.
The new Monon Boulevard playground is a free, music-themed play destination featuring a towering play structure, giant slides, interactive instruments and plenty of opportunities for kids to climb, explore and create. Located along the Monon Greenway near Carmel’s performing arts campus, Up and Down the Monon is the centerpiece of the Monon Boulevard Phase 3 expansion.
The playground is officially open and ready to become a popular stop for families spending the day in Carmel.
A 40-Foot-Tall Playground Tower on the Monon
The main attraction is impossible to miss. A bright red, 40-foot-tall play tower rises above Monon Boulevard, connected to two very, very tall slides, giving kids a big adventure to conquer before they race back down.
The tower was designed to resemble a metronome, the device musicians use to keep a steady beat. According to Carmel Clay Parks & Recreation, the structure is the tallest playground feature ever constructed by Minnesota-based playground manufacturer Landscape Structures.
Kids can climb high into the structure and make their way toward two enclosed, twisting metal slides. These are not the scorching metal slides many parents remember from childhood. The enclosed design captures heat near the top while helping the sliding surface stay cooler in the sunshine. The concrete landing areas were also selected to remain cooler than many traditional playground surfaces.
Still, this is Indiana in the summer, so checking the temperature of any play surface before children use it is always a good idea.
The two enormous slides are some of the most exciting features at the Monon Boulevard playground. The slides are enclosed, twisting, and tall enough to make the climb feel worthwhile. My kids went back to them again and again, which is one of the reasons we ended up staying for so long.
The tower immediately caught my kids’ attention. They climbed high into the structure, worked their way through the different levels, and raced toward the giant enclosed slides.
The height makes the playground feel like a real adventure, particularly for kids who love to climb and are always looking for the tallest slide at the park.
Parents of younger children may want to stay nearby while they figure out the tower. There are several paths through the structure, and excited kids can disappear upward quickly.
Musical Playground Features on the Monon
The musical theme continues throughout the playground.
Children can experiment with interactive musical features, make their own sounds, and explore the connection between music and movement. Even the pathways get in on the theme, with paving arranged to resemble piano keys.
Signs near the playground include words from a song about the historic Monon Railroad, connecting the new play area to the history of the trail running beside it.
The playground’s theme fits perfectly with its location. It sits near the Allied Solutions Center for the Performing Arts and next to the future site of the Great American Songbook Museum.
Kids don’t need to understand the musical references to have fun here, but families who love music will enjoy spotting the thoughtful details woven throughout the space.
A Playground Built for Big Adventures
This is the kind of playground that will immediately appeal to confident climbers and kids who love tall slides. If you’re ever looking for a playground for older kids, this is a great one!
The play towers invite children to move upward, navigate different pathways, and decide how brave they feel before heading down one of the enormous slides. Musical elements and imaginative spaces offer additional ways to play, so it’s more than just climbing to the top.
Younger children may need extra assistance or close supervision around the larger equipment, especially when the playground is crowded. Families with children of different ages may also want to establish a meeting spot before everyone runs in different directions.
And they probably will run in different directions. This playground has a lot to investigate.
Part of the Monon Boulevard Phase 3 Expansion
The playground is part of a much larger transformation of the Monon Greenway through central Carmel.
Monon Boulevard Phase 3 extends the boulevard two blocks south, connecting Walnut Street and City Center Drive. The $14 million project transformed this portion of the former railroad corridor into a wider public recreation and gathering space.
The expansion includes a 12-foot-wide paved trail, green space, landscaped areas, wider sidewalks, new roadways, updated stormwater infrastructure and additional places for the community to gather.
The music-themed playground itself represents an investment of approximately $2 million. It was designed as the centerpiece of the expansion and as another reason for families to stop, play, and spend time along the Monon.
Make It a Full Carmel Adventure
One of the best things about this playground is its location. There are so many things to do in Carmel, plus some great family-friendly restaurants in Carmel.
Families can reach it while walking, riding bikes, or exploring the Monon Greenway. It is also near Carmel City Center, the Center for the Performing Arts, and other Carmel family-friendly destinations along the trail.
Continue north on the Monon to reach Midtown Plaza, where families will find additional free amenities, including green spaces, community tables, outdoor games, public art, and a seasonal spray plaza with a splash pad.
You could pack snacks, bring bikes or scooters, and turn a playground visit into a longer Carmel adventure. Just remember that bicycles, skateboards, and rollerblades should stay outside the playground area.
What Families Should Know About the New Monon Playground
The Monon Boulevard playground is located east of the Monon Greenway, just north of City Center Drive in Carmel. It is near the Allied Solutions Center for the Performing Arts and along the newly expanded section of Monon Boulevard.
Admission to the playground is completely free.
Carmel Clay Parks & Recreation lists its parks as open from sunrise to sunset, except during approved activities. Adult supervision is recommended, and pets are not permitted inside playground areas.
With a 40-foot play tower, enormous twisting slides, interactive musical features and a location directly along the Monon, Carmel’s newest playground is much more than a quick neighborhood play stop. It is a destination playground built for climbing, creativity, and big family adventures.
As always, Indy with Kids is not associated with this attraction. Playground conditions, surrounding construction, parking information, and operating details may change. Families should check with Carmel Clay Parks & Recreation before visiting.
Monon Boulevard playground address:
Address
south of midtown plaza, north of main
carmel
in
Visit Monon Boulevard Playground | Up and Down the Monon
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