AROUND THE BEND
OH, THE PLACES YOU’LL GO Nine recreational spots in Evansville
3. HELFRICH GOLF COURSE
By Riley Guerzini
As the third largest city in Indiana, there’s a lot to do in Evansville! Looking to get out on a sunny spring day? The River City has an abundance of sights to see, things to do, places to go — so don’t miss out on any of these recreational sites in the city.
1. FRIEDMAN PARK 1.
4. MESKER PARK ZOO AND BOTANIC GARDENS
One of the Tri-State’s newest parks, Friedman Park in Warrick County is a stunning new 180-acre site ideal for family picnics, corporate events, and public concerts with an amphitheater, an event center, and biking and walking trails. 2700 Park Blvd., Newburgh, IN | 2. facebook.com/ friedmanpark 4.
Mesker Park Zoo and Botanic Gardens is situated on the Northwest side and home to more than 700 animals representing more than 186 species from across the globe. 1545 Mesker Park Drive | meskerparkzoo.com
5. SWONDER ICE ARENA Swonder Ice Arena contains two NHL regulation size ice rinks along with a mezzanine fitness center. It offers public skating sessions seven days a week and space for yoga, Zumba, and pickleball throughout the week at a daily or monthly rate. 209 N. Boeke Road | skateswonder.com
2. ANGEL MOUNDS STATE HISTORIC SITE Located along the banks of the Ohio River, Angel Mounds covers more than 600 acres of a site belonging to the prehistoric Native Americans of the Middle Mississippi people. 8215 Pollack Ave. | indianamuseum.org/historicsites/angel-mounds
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6. BOSSE FIELD Opened in 1915 as the first municipally owned sports facility in the U.S., Bosse Field is the third-oldest ballpark in the country and is the home of the Evansville Otters. 23 N. Main St. | evansvilleotters.com
7. PIGEON CREEK GREENWAY PASSAGE The greenway winds through Downtown with a 10-foot wide paved trail that showcases the creek and banks of the Ohio River. It was designated a National Recreation Trail by the National Parks Service in 2004. evansvillegov.org 9.
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Designed by the well-known architect Tom Bendelow, this city golf course showcases many hills and valleys through its 18-hole trek. Through the year, Helfrich hosts the Tri-State Amateur and U.S.G.A. Public Links Qualifying rounds. 1550 Mesker Park Drive | evansvillegov.org
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8. WESSELMAN WOODS Wesselman Woods Nature Preserve is the largest tract of virgin, old-growth forest within any city limits in the U.S. and offers educational programs, a nature center with rehabilitated animals, and several walking trails. 551 N. Boeke Road | wesselmanwoods.org
9. MICKEY’S KINGDOM
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F R I E D M A N PA R K A N D OT T E R S P H OTO P R OV I D E D BY O R G A N I Z AT I O N . P I G E O N C R E E K G R E E N WAY BY TO M B A R R O W S . A L L OT H E R S BY Z A C H S T R AW
A 21,000 square foot playground, Mickey’s Kingdom was built by hundreds of community volunteers using recycled materials and is home to the world’s tallest solar CommuniTree —powered by solar energy for charging digital devices. 411 S.E. Riverside Drive | facebook.com/ formerlykidskingdom2 EVANSVILLE LIVING CITY VIEW 2021
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