Written by Ashley Dykton
The Center at Northview Christian Church, a state-of-the-art indoor facility in Danville, held its grand opening in April 2023. This gorgeous recreational space is FREE and available for the community to enjoy. Northview Christian Church underwent a recent renovation which included the addition of The Center. This venue is unlike anything else you will find in Central Indiana, let alone Hendricks County.
Free Indoor Playplace and Sports Field
Northview Christian Church is in Danville, off of State Road 39, and about 5 minutes away from downtown Danville’s square. The church is easy to access from US 36 as well. Right when you walk into The Center, you enter a huge, wide-open space. To the right is a large field of artificial turf bordered by a walking track. To the left is a large multi-level climbing structure for children.
You’ll find a welcome desk near the entrance, but there is no formal registration or waiver to sign for children to play. Staff members host and monitor the center and are available to assist with any questions guests may have. Parents are asked to supervise their children at all times.
The Center’s Climbing Playground
If you are visiting with young children, they’ll likely be excited to get to that amazing play structure! There is a wooden perimeter that surrounds the climbing tower and also provides padded bench seating for caretakers. The structure has many different elements for kids to explore including a swing, a slide, and bouncing seats.
There is a storage caddy available for kids to stash their shoes while they play. Only socks are permitted in the play place. Encourage your kids not to run as the floor is concrete and very slick.
The flooring of the climbing structure is an orange basket-weaved netting. All the structural bars are covered in protective foam and there is mesh netting that acts as a protective barrier around the structure and also allows parents to watch their children as they maneuver through the various levels.
There are two entrances to the play structure. One side offers two types of swinging and balancing features before coming to a dead end. The other entrance to the play structure provides the only way up to the different levels. There is a slide that descends to a lower level, as well as a rope swing.
Start a Friendly Game of Soccer
The indoor artificial turf is huge and is perfect for kids to run around. There is plenty of room to throw, catch, and kick, and a soccer net is provided for impromptu soccer games. Kids are welcome to bring their own balls or use those that are provided. Just keep in mind that metal cleats are not allowed on the turf.
There is a 3-lane walking track that surrounds the sports area. The turf also features a drop-down net that can be used a divide the field in half. There are tables and chairs nearby where guests can sit and watch their children play.
Fields Coffee Keeps You Caffeinated
The Center also has a coffee shop, Fields Coffee, that offers a variety of refreshments and snacks for purchase. Fields Coffee can be accessed inside The Center or through their drive-through. The menu includes frappes, iced and regular coffee, smoothies, pastries, muffins, and bagels.
There is plenty of seating in the indoor cafe area with lots of tables and some countertop seating. The table and chairs here also provide a great vantage point to supervise your children while you enjoy a snack.
Not too far past the coffee shop, down the hall, you will find the restrooms and a water fountain with a water bottle filling station. No food or drinks are allowed on the turf or on the play structure and can only be consumed at a table and chairs.
Private Event Rentals
Other amenities include event and meeting spaces that can be rented for private events and parties. The turf can be rented for $150 per hour, while the sideline room costs $25 an hour and classroom spaces cost $10 an hour, at the time of publishing. For more information about reservations, visit the church’s website.
The Center Hours
Hours are accurate at the writing of this article but may be affected by special events, staffing, and weather. Please verify with the venue directly to ensure The Center will be open when you arrive.
Mon-Fri: 8 am-8 pm
Sat: 8 am-4 pm
Sun: 12 pm-4 pm (Fields Coffee opens at 8 am)
Explore Some More
If you are looking for things to do west of Indy after spending time at the Center, you can explore the town of Danville! The square downtown has an ice cream shop, stores and boutiques, and a movie theater.
Favorite parks in the area include the firefighter-themed Jack Willard Community Park and Ellis Park. Danville also features trails, sports fields and courts, and the seasonal Gill Family Aquatic Center.
In nearby North Salem, you can enjoy McCloud Nature Park which offers many different trails and a free nature center with turtles, interpretive resources, and a bird viewing area. We also love Murphy Park in Avon, which offers an inclusive playground and an ADA-accessible waterpark.
Looking for more places to play inside? We have the scoop on all of Indy’s free indoor playgrounds!
Address
623 N. State Road 39
Danville
IN
46122
Visit The Center at Northview Christian Church