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Broad Ripple Park
Broad Ripple Park has a long history in its spot on the White River. In the 1800s, the space was a picnic and meeting spot to get away from the big city of Indianapolis. Around the turn of the century the White City Amusement Park was built to give residents a reason to ride the trolley to Broad Ripple. That park burned and was rebuilt. The carousel from the amusement park is now at the Children's Museum. In 1922, the City of Indianapolis took ownership and the land became a public park.
See our History Links page that includes articles relating to Broad Ripple Park.
More recent articles are at the bottom of this page.
Rocket Ship Climbing Gym
at the south end of the park by the parking lot
click images for larger photos
Rocket Ship Climbing Gym
about 1968
Rocket Ship Climbing Gym
 Rocket Ship Climbing Gym
about 1968
Rocket Ship Climbing Gym
Last remaining remnant of amusement park
This concrete piece was the center hub of the old amusement park ride The Bug
click images for larger photos
center hub
2019
center hub
 center hub
2019
center hub
 The Bug ride
The Bug ride shows the concrete center
1927
from the Paul Harlan collection
The Bug ride
Articles
Current articles (and some history stuff) concerning Broad Ripple Park
2023
Random Rippling - DeVoe at Park
Random Rippling - BR Park Family Center / Community Health Open House (includes BR Park History Display)
Broad Ripple Park Family Center - by Mario Morone
2022
Random Rippling - ARPO Dog Olympics
Random Historic Photo - Broad Ripple Park roller coaster
Broad Ripple Park videos released
Random Rippling - Katherine Nagy concert at Broad Ripple Park
Broad Ripple Museum - BR Park Pool postcard donated by Robert Barrows
2021
Query Corner - Library at BR Park
Frog's Random Rippling - BR Park Family Center Razed
Random Rippling - Kiwanis Club Garlic Mustard Pull
Random Historic Photo - Nickel Plate 587
2020
Random Historic Photo - BR Park Bench
Book deposit
2019
Broad Ripple Bark Park reopens with ceremony
Random Rippling - Broad Ripple Carnival
Broad Ripple Park Master Plan - family center - by Mario Morone
2018
Annual Broad Ripple Carnival at Broad Ripple Park
Rafting on the river
Final 20-year BR Park plan proposal
2004
Food and Music Bring Crowds to Broad Ripple Park for Blues Fest