Agripark: A Fishers Environmental Hub
This article first appeared in The Tiger Times on Aug. 7, 2022. We republish now as Agripark will be open to the public starting May 2.
Agripark is one of the 24 parks and green spaces managed and maintained by the city of Fisher’s parks and recreation department. It is an urban farm that strives to inspire future farmers, scientists, chefs, agronomists and more.
“My favorite part is that it's so unique,” Director of Recreation and Wellness Jake Reardon McSoley said. “There's nothing like it in our community. It's such a unique opportunity to share something that many kids and families might not really appreciate or know much about with agriculture and (its) benefits.”
Every year, the park is open to the public from May to the end of October. This year, it is opening to the public on May 2. Visitors have access to seasonal produce and flowers to pick and take home for free. This is one of Agripark’s most well known features, U-pick.
Photo courtesy of Veda Thangudu
“I really enjoy being able to provide fresh food for the community, but also showing people where their food comes from and how it's grown,” Operations Manager for Agripark, Trevor Wildey said. “That's a big disconnect between a lot of consumers and where their food comes from. It'd be nice to be able to provide more food and educational programs for the community.”
Produce of the farm includes bell peppers, broccoli, tomatoes, kale and many more. Along with growing these plants, the staff members work with farm animals and traditional livestock. The animal area includes a Rocky Mountain horse, a Pygmy goat, a Pot-belly pig, a Red Angus cow, a Shorthorn cow, a 6 month old Red Angus calf, a rabbit and chickens.
Photo courtesy of Veda Thangudu
“Being able to provide (fresh produce) to the community at such a large scope and level is really humbling and amazing,” McSoley said.
One of Agripark’s amenities is known as Farm Share. It is a subscription program for 15 weeks, where the subscriber gets to pick up pre-picked and packed produce every week. There are many more programs that take place in the Agripark.The park partnered with Hamilton Southeastern School district last year and now teaches over 1700 second grade students about agriculture.
“We're just stepping up on programs,” Wildey said. “To educate whether it's kids, seniors, middle-aged adults, we would like to offer programs and education for everybody. In the previous years, we've been a little more geared towards just kids, but there's a lot of people that (have) a big interest in learning.”
Additionally, Agripark has a nature trail with a story walk, a playground and a mud kitchen to provide play spaces to young visitors. There is a barn that serves as an education space for public and school based use. There are summer camps for kids that take place in it too.
“Definitely don't just do one thing, check out nature and play the little nature trail, see the animals, even if you don't pick any food, at least go out there and read some of the signage, learn about how stuff's grown and just kind of get a visual with it,” Wildey said.
Agripark offers seasonal experiences as well. Towards the end of the season, there is a corn maze and a pumpkin patch.
“Excited for you to see how your food is made,” McSoley said. “Enjoy the benefits of fresh produce and all the amenities here at the Agripark. It's an amazing gem in our community and worth the time to come and explore.”
Visit the park at 11171 Florida Rd, Fortville, IN 46040. It is closed on Sundays and Mondays, hours of operation for Tuesdays, Wednesdays are 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. and Thursday through Saturday are 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. It is a free for public to enter and enjoy.
