Parks & Recreation

Parks & Recreation
227 N Main St
New Castle, IN 47362

Phone: (765) 529-7605

Mike Bergum

Superintendent

Email

Parks
Details

Pool
Safety

Park Shelter
Reservation

NC Park
Board

About the New Castle Parks & Recreation Department

The City of New Castle maintains a vibrant system of eight municipal parks and nine public green spaces, anchored by Baker Park to the south and Osborne Park to the north. From premier athletic facilities and aquatic recreation to neighborhood playgrounds and walking trails, our park system delivers exceptional outdoor opportunities for families and visitors across the community.

Sustainable Beautification & Municipal Nursery

To enhance city landscapes while maintaining fiscal responsibility, the Parks Department operates a private municipal tree and plant nursery. By cultivating our own trees, seasonal flowers, and ornamental shrubs, we continuously beautify public properties and replace fallen trees at a fraction of the cost to taxpayers. This ongoing initiative strengthens New Castle's urban canopy while building long-term environmental and financial sustainability for our park system.

BAKER PARK

2200 S. Memorial Dr

[Pool] [Reservable Shelters] [Playground] [Courts]
▼ View Details & Amenities ▼

Park Overview & History
Dedicated in 1937 and named after 12-year Mayor Sidney E. Baker, Baker Park spans 80+ acres of natural groves and athletic grounds.

Shelter Reservations
• Location: Mayor's Office (227 N. Main St.)
• Fee: $50.00 (In-person booking required)

Hours
• Hours: Open Daily (Dawn to Dusk)
Get Directions (Google Maps)

Amenities & Facilities

2 Large Enclosed Shelters (Water & Electric)
1 Covered Stage Area (Reserved with Shelter #1)
4 Small Open Shelters • Swimming Pool & "Fun Park"
Large Playground Complex
Basketball & Tennis Courts
Shuffleboard & Horseshoes
Little League Diamonds
Restroom Facilities

AQUATIC CENTER

2200 S. Memorial Dr (Inside Baker Park)

[Pool] [Water Slides] [Concessions] [Punch Passes]
▼ View Details & Amenities ▼

Facility Overview & Hours
Located within Baker Park, the Aquatic Center serves as New Castle's premier summer water recreation spot for families and groups.

Operating Hours
• Monday – Sunday: 12:00 PM – 6:00 PM
Youth Policy
• Children 12 and under must be accompanied by an adult.

Hours
• Hours: Open Daily (Dawn to Dusk)
Get Directions (Google Maps)

Admittance Fees & Offers

Daily Admission
• Adults (18+): $3.00
• Youth (2–17): $3.00
• Infants (2 & under): Free

Discount Punch Passes
• 10-Punch Key Tag: $30.00
• Transferable pass valid for multiple patrons
• Purchase at the Pool or City Clerk's Office

Facility Amenities
• Public Swimming Pool
• Changing Facilities & Restrooms
• Nearby Concession Area
• Pool Parties - Monday's & Thursday's, June & July. Application

OSBORNE PARK

2710 Washington St (Off St Rd 3)

[Reservable Shelter] [Playground] [Softball] [Trails]
▼ View Details & Amenities ▼

Park Overview & Reservations
Osborne Park offers a scenic outdoor setting with open athletic spaces, shaded walking areas, and league softball facilities for community enjoyment.

Shelter Reservations
• Location: Mayor's Office (227 N. Main St.)
• Fee: $35.00 (In-person booking required)

Hours
• Hours: Open Daily (Dawn to Dusk)
Get Directions (Google Maps)

Amenities & Facilities

• 1 Large Enclosed Shelter (Water & Electric)
• 4 Small Open Shelters (First-Come, First-Served)
• Large Playground Area • Shaded Walking Park & Picnic Areas
• Basketball Courts • Open Athletic Fields (Soccer & Football Space)
• Managed League Softball Diamonds
• Restroom Facilities

CONCESSION STAND

Inside Baker Park

[Food & Beverage] [Restrooms] [Picnic Tables]
▼ View Details & Amenities ▼

Park Overview
Operates during seasonal athletic leagues, tournaments, and special events to provide refreshments for visitors and teams.

Amenities & Facilities

• Food & Beverage Sales
• Nearby Restrooms
• Picnic Seating

LOWE PARK

616 S 25th St

[Playground] [Basketball] [Concessions] [Shelters]
▼ View Details & Amenities ▼

Park Overview & History
Donated to the City of New Castle in 1924 by William and Anna Lowe, Lowe Park provides quiet neighborhood green space and recreational amenities. In 2004, local fire department volunteers built a major covered shelter to enhance family gatherings.

Hours
• Hours: Open Daily (Dawn to Dusk)
Get Directions (Google Maps)

Amenities & Facilities

• Large Shelter with Concession Stand & Restrooms
• Medium Shelter
• Small Shelter
• Playground Area
• Basketball Court
• Wide Open Green Space for Picnics & Neighborhood Games
• Restroom Facilities

MINI PARKS

Various Locations

[Pocket Parks] [Playgrounds] [Shelters] [Nature Lab]
▼ View Details & Amenities ▼

Overview & Primary Locations
Distributed across New Castle, our mini parks provide quiet green spaces, neighborhood playgrounds, and pocket parks for local families.
Your Park (State Road 3 & 38 Intersection)
Community entrance park welcoming visitors with beautiful flower beds, a monument, flagpole, and 1 covered picnic shelter (no reservations required).
Hospital Heights Park (Alabama Street)
Neighborhood park located east of Henry County Memorial Hospital featuring a large playground area, covered picnic shelter, and open green space for sports.

Additional Locations & Features

• Murphey Park (Grand Ave & S. 15th St): Established in 1928, this 3-acre park site features a playground, large rock garden, open lawn space, and the National Guard Armory armored tank display.
• Wildlife Sanctuary (Lynndale & Trojan Lane): 40-acre preserved natural habitat serving as an outdoor observation laboratory for flora and local wildlife.
• Vine Street Mini Park: Maintained neighborhood green space ideal for family picnics.
• 400 Block N. Main Street Park: Pocket green space maintained for open community enjoyment
• 600 Block N. Main Street Park: Quiet neighborhood green space area.

SKATE PARK

S. Main St. (Inside Baker Park)

[13k Sq Ft] [Free Access] [Concrete Bowl] [Pump Track]
▼ View Details & Amenities ▼

Facility Overview & History
Built by Hunger Skateparks in 2017 and expanded in 2023, the 13,000-square-foot New Castle Skatepark is recognized as one of the premier concrete skate facilities in the Midwest.

Funding & Development
• Initial Construction: Financed through a $275,000 Henry County Food and Beverage Grant awarded to the New Castle Parks Board in 2016.
• Spectator Amenities: Features a dedicated observation deck to accommodate local and visiting spectators.

Cost & Hours
• Admission: Free entry, open daily from dawn to dusk
Get Directions (Google Maps)

Park Features & Amenities

• Flow Bowl & Transition: Multi-level concrete bowl with pool coping, wedding cake steps, and a doorway transition feature.
• Street Course & Pump Track: Features steep banks, a pump bump, ledges, flat rails, down rails, quarter returns, and a bump-to-fire-hydrant feature.
• Local Artistry Integration: Styled with custom skateable mosaics and decorative steel railings honoring New Castle native and pop artist Robert Indiana.
• Multi-Sport Capability: Designed to accommodate skateboards, BMX bikes, and scooters of all skill levels.

NEW CASTLE ARMORY

1537 Grand Ave

[500 Capacity] [Gym & Courts] [Batting Cages] [Events]
▼ View Details & Amenities ▼

Facility Overview & History
Renovated by the City of New Castle, the historic former National Guard Armory now operates as a premier community center and indoor athletic facility.

Facility Reservations & Event Hosting
• Booking: Contact the Mayor's Office for scheduling events or team practices.
• Event Versatility: Available for private event rentals including wedding receptions, concerts, luncheons, business meetings, and community gatherings.

Hours
• Hours: Open Daily (Dawn to Dusk)
Get Directions (Google Maps)

Rental Features & Amenities

• Maximum Occupancy: 500-person capacity for large-scale gatherings and events.
• Main Level Open Gym: Features newly installed athletic flooring lined for basketball and volleyball practices.
• Basement Training Facility: Dedicated indoor practice zone for local sports teams.
• Indoor Batting Cages: Located in the basement level for baseball and softball team rentals.
• Kitchen Facilities: On-site kitchen area for event food service and catering setup.
• Restroom Facilities: Restroom amenities.

The New Castle Park Board works to ensure city parks, trails, and recreational facilities meet the evolving needs of our residents. Partnering closely with the Park Superintendent, the Board evaluates current park assets, plans long-term development projects, and establishes timelines for continuous facility improvements.

Resident feedback is essential to our mission. The Board serves as a primary point of contact for community input, compliments, and suggestions regarding public parks and recreational programming

Members:

Patty Broyles - President
Dave Nantz - Vice President
John Henderson - Member
Todd Myers - Member
Cheryl York - Member

Non-Voting Members

Mayor Greg York
Mike Bergum - Park Superintendent
Kendra Blankenship - Mayor's Assistant / Secretary

Meeting Schedule

When: 1st Monday of each month at 5:30pm
Where: City Hall, Council Chambers (2nd Floor) | 227 N Main St
Meetings are open to the public

Meeting Minutes

Parks & Recreation