Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Park

A Place in History

Positioned on the near north side of Indianapolis sits a 14-acre green space with significant historical importance. Established in 1961, Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Park holds a profound place in American history. This is where Senator Robert F. Kennedy delivered an impromptu speech on April 4, 1968 - the night Dr. King was assassinated.

Kennedy's words that evening didn't just inform the crowd of King's death; they helped heal a wounded city. While other American cities erupted in violence that night, Indianapolis remained calm. For those who lived through the turbulent 1960s, walking these grounds can still bring a lump to the throat and a powerful sense of connection to that pivotal moment.

A Memorial Worth Experiencing

The heart of the park is the Kennedy-King Landmark for Peace Memorial, unveiled in 1995. This thought-provoking sculpture by Greg Perry and Daniel Edwards shows Kennedy and King reaching toward each other across a divide - a powerful visual metaphor that still resonates today.

In 2018, the memorial's significance received formal recognition when it was designated as the Kennedy-King National Commemorative Site and included in the National Parks Service African American Civil Rights Network. The thoughtfully designed memorial provides a meaningful way to help children (or adults) connect with civil rights history.

Get Moving

Beyond its historical significance, the park offers plenty of ways to stay active. There's a basketball court with two hoops, but you might notice the court surface needs some TLC from time to time.

Kids will enjoy the large playground area with equipment that's generally in good shape, although some parents mention that adding toddler swings would make it even better for the littlest visitors.

You'll also find tennis courts for those racket sport enthusiasts. The park has a swimming pool too, but it's worth checking ahead as it hasn't been open consistently in recent seasons.

Community Vibes

With its generous open spaces, abundant shade trees, and well-kept grounds, this park naturally brings people together. It's the kind of place where you can spread out a blanket or grab one of the clean picnic tables scattered throughout.

The northern section features a mini-amphitheater with seating and charcoal grills - great for those weekend cookouts when your apartment balcony just won't cut it.

Practical amenities include at least one portable restroom near the east-central boundary. And yes, you can bring your four-legged friends to enjoy the considerable north-to-south stretch of parkland.

Just a quick 10-minute drive from downtown Indianapolis, Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Park functions as both a peaceful retreat and a gathering place for annual events celebrating the shared vision of peace and non-violence that both King and Kennedy championed.