Frederick Douglass Park Family Center opens its doors on the east side

The Frederick Douglass Park Family Center’s grand opening saw large crowds and community leaders eager to unveil the $20 million project. Under construction since October 2022, Frederick Douglass Park saw the Martindale-Brightwood community show up in full force to support at the May 23 ribbon-cutting. The Frederick Douglass Park Family Center opened to the public May 23. (Photo/Hanna Rauworth) “I’m not new to the east side. I was born and raised on the east side. I am just looking forward to connecting in these areas and doing something special,” said Derrick Miller, park manager. The park will feature a wide variety of indoor and outdoor activities, with construction for additional sports fields funded by a $1.5 million Lily Endowment Grant. The large outdoor playground, in addition to equipment and furniture for the center, was funded by a $3.2 million Lily grant. “As we gather today at this breath-taking new family center … we are ushering in a new era for Frederick Douglass Park,” Mayor Joe Hogsett said. A Circle City Forward Initiative project, the east side park will be the largest Indy Parks Family Center in Indianapolis. The Frederick Douglass Park Family Center is part of the pledged $45 million...