Major Improvements Expand Trails, Access & Recreation
Construction projects at Westfield Parks are paving the way for new trails, a pickleball complex and ADA-accessible accommodations for kayaking.
Last June, Simon Moon Park at 3044 E. 171st St., near the Westfield City Services Center, completed Phase 1 of its two-phase, $8.3M project for additions and renovations to expand the park from 5.85 acres to more than 25. Phase 1 concluded with a reshaped pond, a kayak rental station, several boardwalks and added trails, a bridge, a redesigned sledding hill and an expanded and reconfigured parking lot.
Construction on Phase 2 started at the end of last year, with an estimated completion date by the end of May this year, according to Westfield Parks and Recreation Director Christopher McConnell.
“We’ll add an additional shelter and completely replace the playground with a very unique, really cool playground for the community,” McConnell says. “It’ll be a one of a kind. We will add a canoe and kayak launch pier that will also have an ADA launch on it, so those people who have accessibility challenges can get down to the end of the launch and can get a kayak and actually crank themselves down into the water.”
Furthermore, there will be one more entry boardwalk added on the northwest corner of the pond, and an outdoor educational facility along the pond’s edge will allow for more activities, programs and special speakers, McConnell notes.
During the pandemic five years ago, pickleball exploded in popularity. The sport could easily be played with social distancing rules while helping to combat loneliness. The demand for new pickleball courts has picked up dramatically in developing suburbs like Westfield.
“Our community is growing so fast we can’t seem to keep up in neighborhoods with pickleball,” McConnell says.
After a conversation with Westfield Mayor Scott Willis, McConnell began searching for a home for a new pickleball complex that could retain up to 14 courts with a budget of $1.8M.
“Through this process we are working with the newly formed Westfield Pickleball Association, and they are working diligently to help offset the cost of this,” McConnell says. “They’re going to do a capital campaign and try to raise some additional dollars so we can build all 14 of those courts.”
Indianapolis consulting and engineering firm V3 has been chosen to design the complex at Freedom Trail Park, 500 Deer Walk Trace, with a projected completion date by the end of fall this year.
“V3 does a wonderful job, and they also understand the expedience with which we want to get this done, so they are very aware of that and are working diligently to make sure that we can keep on this timeframe and get it done relatively quickly,” he adds.
V3 will also begin construction, tentatively scheduled for this summer, on an 825-square-foot building that will house restrooms in Freedom Trail Park. The building, with a $660,000 to $800,000 budget, will have men’s and women’s restrooms, with the potential to add a family restroom. The restrooms are anticipated to be completed by next year.
Last year, Westfield Parks, along with Westfield Green, introduced a cooperative program with Hamilton County Invasives Partnership to remove invasive species like bush honeysuckle and Bradford pears from campsites. The program returns this year.
Service projects for volunteer groups such as alumni associations and local Scouts will also resume for trash collection and invasive control in parks and trails.
For the second consecutive year, Adopt-A-Road, a service program for community groups or HOAs to clean a specific section of a road, returns. In addition, Adopt-A-Trail welcomes those available for trash pickup and clearing branches along an area of a trail. Interested groups or individuals are asked to commit to four times a year for both opportunities.
A few popular programs that will return to Grand Junction Plaza and Cool Creek Park in 2026 include Creek Stomp, Workout Wednesday and Nature Walks. Movies in the Park and the Kids Summer Series will also resume this summer, and Jams of the Junction will feature six concerts this year.
The Winter Market begins Jan. 17 and runs through March at West Fork Whiskey Co., while the Summer Market will start the first Thursday in May at Grand Junction Plaza, running through September.
“As always, we’re working diligently to bring Westfield Parks and Recreation to a level that can better accommodate all the expectations of our wonderful residents,” McConnell says.
