Stand-in photo, not this place: A tree-lined trail somewhere else.
Cool Creek Park and Nature Center
County park and nature center
About
Cool Creek Park is a 90-acre Hamilton County park along Cool Creek on 151st Street. It has about 4 miles of wooded trails for walking, running and bird watching, plus paved park roads for bikes and skates. You'll also find a prairie, playground, picnic shelters, basketball court, soccer fields, music pavilion and restrooms.
The Cool Creek Nature Center teaches about Indiana woods and the plants and animals in them. Its Edward "Ted" Wildlife Viewing Area is a windowed room for watching birds and wildlife at the feeders. Children can also use the Nature Play Area outside, a shady wooded spot built from natural materials for free play.
The county runs programs here through the year. Its November 2026 calendar includes regular beginner bird hikes in the park, a preschool nature group and a gingerbread birdhouse workshop.
History
The county bought the land in 1975 and planned it as its first major county park. It opened to the public on July 22, 1990. The music pavilion came in 1994, the prairie planting began in 1995, and the Nature Center opened in 1997. In 2010 the center added rooftop solar panels.
When to go
The park is open dawn to dusk. The Nature Center is open Monday to Saturday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Sunday from 1 to 5 p.m. Bird hikes on the November 2026 calendar start at 9 a.m. Check the calendar for upcoming programs.
Good to know
The county's address says Carmel, ZIP 46033, but maps place the park in Westfield, and the fire station next door is listed as 1920 East 151st Street, Westfield. Search for the street address rather than the town.
Westfield Fire Station 82 moved into temporary housing beside the park's maintenance building in 2026 and will stay 12 to 18 months while a new station is built, so expect fire trucks near that area.
Price
The county's page lists no entry fee for the park or the Nature Center. Some programs and shelter or auditorium rentals may cost money, so check the county's calendar or call.
Prices checked November 2026 on the website of Hamilton County Parks and Recreation. They can change, so check before you go.
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