Welcome to Haughville Park!
Welcome to Haughville Park! This five-and-a-half acre park on the city’s west side opened in 1922. Located at 520 North Belleview Place, Haughville Park is one of the park system’s most popular family destinations.
The playground at Haughville Park
The area now known as Haughville was settled in the 1830s, when entrepreneurs began to open general stores and saloons near the west landing of the newly constructed Washington Street Bridge. The bridge eventually gave way to rail lines; rail lines brought iron foundries, meat packing plants, and other industry.
A parade in Haughville in the 1920s
Reliable, well-paying jobs in these factories attracted Irish, German, and Slovenian immigrants, and the neighborhood’s population grew quickly. In 1880, roughly three hundred people lived in the small industrial settlement. Ten years later, more than two thousand people called the area home.
The Haughville Park Spray Grounds will open this summer!
In 1883, the area was incorporated, and in 1897, Haughville was officially annexed by the City of Indianapolis. Once a part of the city, citizens petitioned for expanded services like improved roads and parks. Haughville Park opened in 1922.
New improvements are coming to Haughville Park!
Families lived in close proximity to each other in small cottages and “shotgun” houses on small lots. The park became a substitute yard for these families, providing space for both active and passive recreation.
Haughville Park is a place where communities come together
Haughville has seen many changes in the last century, as has Haughville Park. The park is currently undergoing extensive renovations. With an expanded parking area, permanent restroom facilities, two full-sized basketball courts, a large playground, walking paths, and an upgraded splash park, Haughville Park is certain to remain a fixture on Indianapolis’s Near Westside.
Thanks for sharing the story on Haughville Park. I grew up in Haughville in the 1980’s-1990’s. My grandmother lived in Haughville for over 70 years. I remember playing at Haughville Park from time to time, as Christamore House is right behind it. The other photo looks like it might be a parade on St. Clair–I think that’s Holy Trinity Catholic Church in the background.
I thought the park was on Michigan Street. There was a small swimming pool there too. Also a clubhouse where they taught tap dancing and other things. I went there in the late 50s and 60s. I lived down the street from Christamore House on Tremont street. The Lepper boys lived the street behind us. Does anyone remember any of this?
The wading pool was on the south side of Michigan St. and was in a small park honoring WWI veterans from Haughville. There is a large stone with a plaque and flagpole there today. It was left to over grow with weeds for many years until about 15 years ago the community realized its significance and cleaned it up and rededicated it. The park had a name but I can’t recall it. Haughville park is directly north of it across Michigan St. and used to have an old firehouse in it. They tore in down in the early 1990’s and found an old horse drawn fire engine inside that no one was aware that it was inside,
There was a park located on W. Michigan St. It was called Coleman Park. It closed around 1970. And the Veterans Rock was dedicated by A VFW post after the end of World War II.