Parks Department
The Rushville Parks Department is responsible for the maintenance and upkeep of Rushville’s city parks. The Parks Director and Assistant Director, along with the Street Department and seasonal help, maintain the parks within the City of Rushville as well as the walking trail and municipal swimming pool.
The Parks Department office is located at 119 West 16th Street, Rushville. You can contact the Parks Department by calling 765-932-4146, by fax at 765-932-4355 or by e-mail at parks@cityofrushville.in.gov.
A message from the Parks Department
Rushville has several beautiful parks, and it is my sincere hope that local residents take advantage of them by making use of our shelter houses, picnic facilities, playground equipment or simply by enjoying spending some time outside.
Amenities vary from one park to another, but my staff and I do our best to maintain them to the best of our ability and to make sure they are as family-friendly as possible.
Our shelter houses can be reserved in advance by contacting City Hall at (765)932-3735. This includes the large, open-sided pavilion located in Riverside Park on the city’s south side, which is home to our free concert series every summer. For more information on the concert series, visit Riverside Amphitheater Website.
In addition to the city’s parks, the Parks Department also operates and maintains Waggener Community Pool, Rushville’s municipal swimming pool, which is located in North Veterans Memorial Park. The pool is open during the summer months and includes a large water slide as well as a concession stand.
I’d also like to invite everyone to make use of our walking and fitness trail, which starts near Main Street and North Veterans Memorial Park and makes its way south to Ninth Street in South Veterans Memorial Park. There’s also a side trail that goes north from the main trail to near Rushville Elementary School. Eventually, we hope to expand it all the way to the Nature Center behind RES.
Our Assistant Director, Kathi, plans a variety of programs throughout the year that are free and open to the public. To check out our upcoming events visit our Facebook page.
If you are interested in learning more about what our next couple of years will look like for the city’s parks, check out the City of Rushville Parks Master Plan 2021-2025
If you have any suggestions on how to make our parks better, please feel free to contact us.
Sincerely,
Mike Shaw, Director
119 W. 16th Street
Rushville, IN 46173
parks@cityofrushville.in.gov
765-932-4146
765-932-4355 (Fax)
Kathi Jackley, Assistant Director
119 W. 16th Street
Rushville, IN 46173
programs@cityofrushville.in.gov
Veterans Memorial Park North is located just off Main Street and spans to the edge of our high school campus. Included in this park is a pickleball court, playground equipment, picnic areas, an accessible walking trail, and restrooms.
A notable feature of this park is the Veterans Memorial bridge that was placed in 2002 to commemorate those who lost their lives fighting for our country.
Our Parks Department offices are located across the street from the park behind the Rushville Police Department.
Waggener Community Pool is opened late May through late July/early August. It has a zero-level entry point and is equipped with Men’s and Women’s locker rooms, a mushroom play feature, slide, diving board, swim lanes, a concession stand, and shade structure.
Pool passes are available for purchase for individuals or for families. To purchase a pool pass, call (765)932-7100.
The pool can also be rented out for pool parties by calling the front desk at the above number.
South Veterans Memorial Park is located between Jackson and Sexton Streets and Ninth and Eleventh Streets. Here you can enjoy our outdoor workout equipment, futsal court, lighted basketball courts, flower beds, playground equipment, picnic tables, accessible, family friendly trail, and restrooms.
There is an enclosed shelter house that is also able to be rented seasonally by calling the City Center. The shelter does not have air or heat, making it ideal for early spring and fall!
Laughlin Park is located on the southwest side of Rushville. Here you can enjoy our basketball courts, playground equipment, baseball diamonds, picnic tables, and restrooms.
From April to June this park is busy with little league games. During their season, there is a concession stand that is open with food and drink available for purchase.
This park is home to our Danny Mathews shelter house. It can be rented throughout the year. Call City Hall for availability of this shelter.
Wilkie Park is located on Main Street between Second and Third Streets. It is currently vacant, awaiting renovation and redesign. Conceptual rendering attached.
Riverside Park is located off Water Street in downtown Rushville. It has four open shelter houses, playground equipment, an eighteen-hole disc golf course, walking trails, and prairie ground. There is also a men and women’s restroom on the premises.
This park is home to Riverside Park Amphitheater which is home to six free concerts a year. Check out the Amphitheater’s website to learn more about this year’s acts.
This facility can be rented out for weddings, receptions, graduation parties and family reunions.
Overlook Gateway at Riverside Park is one of our newest additions. It is home to a sculpture garden, splash pad, playground equipment, an accessible walking trail and shaded sitting area. It is open from May to early fall.
This park was part of the City of Rushville’s Stellar Projects and provides free water fun to those of all ages.
Carol Jenkins-Davis Park is located on Fort Wayne Road. The park features a labyrinth, walking trail, dog park, community gardens, butterfly garden, and small orchard.
The park is named after Carol Jenkins-Davis. Carol was tragically murdered in broad daylight in 1968 in Martinsville for no reason other than the color of her skin.
At the dedication of the park, Pavey stated “Our redesigned park recognizes the value of Carol’s life and ensures that her story will live as an opportunity to teach future generations the value of inclusion and diversity. With her name on the park and picture on the sign, we hope our children and grandchildren will be inspired to ask, ‘Who was Carol Jenkins-Davis?’ ‘What is her story?’ and ‘Why is the park named after her?’ Those simple questions, coupled with a park focused on her legacy, will give parents and teachers an opportunity to educate their children as well as themselves on Carol’s life and the history of Rushville.”
Parks Programs
- Summer Camp in the Parks: This is a weeklong, 6 hour a day, program offered by the Rushville Parks and Recreation department for children in between the ages of 6-10 years old. This program offers those children an educational and fun experience throughout the weeklong camp. Each attendee receives a t-shirt and lunch is provided for the campers throughout the day.
- Swimming Lessons: The Rushville Parks & Recreation department offer swim lessons during the summer season as well. These swim lessons are held at the Rushville Waggoner Community Pool. For more information, please contact the Waggener Community Pool.