Holliday Park is a little gem of a place near Butler. This park includes statuary, gardens, playgrounds, picnic areas and a nature center. Trails are rugged and others paved, offering something for every ability. A lovely water feature for children has been added at the base of the statuary.
Dr. David Geseslin, Superintendent/CEO of the Indiana School for the Deaf wrote the following description:
My last recommendation for a well-rounded outdoor experience is Holliday Park. This park has 3.5 miles of moderately steep trails, winding up and down the cliff-side property along the White River formerly owned by John Holliday, an Indianapolis native and philanthropist. He and his wife donated the property to the city in honor of Indiana’s centennial anniversary in 1916. The park was originally planned as an arboretum, and is home to over 400 species of trees, shrubs, and wildflowers.
While the trails are not wheelchair accessible, the rest of the park has level, paved walkways, a nature center, playground, and an interesting architectural structure. The Ruins were designed and built as a result of a national competition. New York City’s first skyscraper was scheduled for demolition, but the building owners wanted to save the sculptures from the building’s façade. An Indianapolis artist won the competition, and the sculptures, which were actually made from Indiana limestone, were shipped to Holliday Park. Over the years, other architectural remnants and engraved stone have been incorporated into The Ruins, making it an interesting spot to visit.