Indy Westsiders, this one is for you! For the past five years, Lora Helmick, and the staff at Washington Township Parks and Recreation in Hendricks County have been working tirelessly to bring their innovative project to reality – an all-inclusive waterpark for the community to enjoy. Murphy Aquatic Park is now open in Avon, Indiana! This water wonderland is full of fun for the entire family.
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Avon Waterpark Address
If you’re looking for the address for Murphy Aquatic Center, it’s located at 753 South CR 625 East, Avon, Indiana.
Avon Water Playground
The team at Washington Township Avon Parks started by touring waterparks currently operating around the state, to see what they were offering because their goal was to offer something different. Inclusive play that welcomed people of all abilities was a big emphasis when the parks department designed Murphy Park on the approximately 35 acres east of CR 625 East. They accomplished that goal with a central play space — this large play feature has 48 different splash and water toy features like water cannons and dumping buckets, and a wide ramp that allows room for two wheelchairs to pass through simultaneously. The extra-wide ramps give guests in wheelchairs access to the upper deck of the play area in the center of the pool.
The lower deck features the central water playground area where kids can be splashed by the dumping bucket, kick around, and have fun! There’s a toddler zone and zero-depth entry to make the all-inclusive playground and pool fun for all, as well as accessible slides and a hydraulic pool lift. The water park provides ample shade opportunities like sun sails and umbrellas, with lounge chairs. Chairs are available on a first-come, first-served basis, but guests are welcome to bring their own.
The entire central play structure is handicap accessible, with features above and below for various play opportunities. An anonymous donor has provided water wheelchairs for both adult and child use, and these are available to anyone who may need to use them during a visit to Murphy Aquatic Park on a first-come, first-served basis.
Avon Waterpark Features
Both bodies of water are zero-depth entries. The recreational pool has basketball hoops on three sides, providing a great family play area. The aquatics facility has two water slides (also known as body slides), which you must be at least 48 inches to ride. There’s a wave pool with simulated waves to splash around in. The pool will be used for open recreational swimming, parent & tot swim lessons, and group and private swim lessons.
Special Amenities at Murphy Waterpark
Cabanas are available for rent for $50 for a three-hour rental, or $80 for the day. Cabana rentals should be arranged in advance to avoid disappointment. A bathhouse is available for showering, changing clothes, and locking your belongings in a rental locker. A concessions stand called Compass Cafe has a wide variety of menu items for purchase. A few dozen lifejackets are available to borrow. Guests can bring their own life vests but they must be Coast Guard approved.
Avon Waterpark Admission
Day passes for residents are $8, and non-residents are $10, with kids under 2 being free. Season passes are available for both residents and non-residents. Seasonal admissions for families can also be purchased for a household of five people. Additional family members can be added to a pass for a small fee. This will be a waterpark that you’ll want to visit all summer long. Passouts are available, guests can get a hand stamp as they leave and return anytime during operating hours on the same day.
Sensory Friendly Swim Hours
The Murphy Aquatic Park Sensory Swim will take place every Tuesday, 9:30 am – 11:00 am, May 31 – July 5. During this 90-minute period, the park will only be at half capacity, offering a quieter swimming experience and the wave pool will be turned off. Pre-registration is required. The cost is $10 per person and season passes and memberships are not valid during Sensory Swim.
Birthday Parties at Murphy Aquatic Park
Host your next party at the newest Indy area waterpark! Call for options, including cabana rentals and after-hours rentals. Reserve it. Parties are currently listed as $350 for two hours. This includes a designated party space with tables in the grassy area and admission for up to 25 guests. Pizza, hot dogs, fountain drinks, and chips are available from the concession stand. BYO birthday cake for the party.
Field Trips at the Waterpark
Groups are invited to visit Murphy Aquatic Park. Find more info by filling out the interest form on the website.
Movies at the Waterpark
We expect to see many new activities offered at the waterpark but for now, there’s a JAWS movie night scheduled in September.
Murphy Aquatic Park Hours
The Avon waterpark is open seven days a week, 11:00 am – 6:00 pm, during the pool season.
Food at the Waterpark
Coolers are not permitted, but water bottles are welcome.
You’ll find lots of options at the concession stand. Ice Cream $1 – $3, Entrees such as hamburgers, chicken nuggets, mini corn dogs, hot dogs, pizza, nachos, and pretzels are $5. A whole pizza is $25 and a meal deal with an entree, fries or chips and a small drink is $8. Sweets, sides, and snack-type items are 50 cents – $3. Iced coffee is $4 and up, and drinks and slushies start at $1.75. Just like our friends at the Greenwood Waterpark offer, you can purchase a $10 souvenir cup and get $1 refills all season.
New Inclusive Playground and Inclusive Park
Opening in the fall of 2022, outside the aquatic center, is a playground that perfectly complements the aquatic park’s theme of inclusivity. Expect to see ADA-accessible equipment in this exciting new project. Lora Helmick, Washington Township’s Parks and Recreation Director, said she heard from the community about a need for playground equipment that would allow a wheelchair to roll into it, instead of only allowing a transfer option. Making this happen was a large focus of the project. This playground will allow visitors in wheelchairs to stay comfortable in their chairs and engage in play with their peers. There will be a merry-go-round with a click-in option for a wheelchair, as well as an interactive teeter-totter and wheelchair swings combination.
The new park will have trails with a connection to AJAA (Avon Junion Athletic Association), a large recreational hill (sledding, maybe?), a recreation pond/retention pond, and native plantings within the park.
Pods are built into the playground for natural sensory breaks and hives for guests to take breaks while they play, and rejoin when they are ready. Lora emphasized her vision is inclusivity and is for people of all ages and abilities to be able to enjoy this playground and aquatic center. There will be signage available for non-verbal guests to better understand the equipment with picture prompts. Check out these other Indy area inclusive playgrounds.
The team that has brought this vision to life is so excited for the community to have access to the facility after a five-year journey. Murphy Park is a highly anticipated project that has been crafted with so much love and care for the community. We are so excited to see a truly inclusive waterpark in the Indianapolis area, and can’t wait to make a splash at the opening this Memorial Day Weekend.
You can find nearby splash pads and splash pad hours on our Splash Pad Map.
Address
753 South CR 625 East
avon
indiana
Visit Murphy Aquatic Park | Inclusive & Accessible Waterpark in Avon, Indiana
Yeah you won’t allow the comment total bull a hot dog is $5… and no coolers, not everyone can afford to eat there!
Hi, we don’t own or operate this facility, we just write about it. So, your complaint is directed towards the wrong people. I’ll allow this comment but no, you’re right, I won’t allow the one with obscene language.
Do you have a lazy river
There is no lazy river at Murphy Aquatic Park.