PARKS & PLAY

A place of remembering for anyone who has lost a loved one. Plans to bring an Angel of Hope to Bluffton began in February 2003, when one person learned of the Angel and shared her vision to create a quiet place where families could reflect and remember lost loved ones. The Angel of Hope Planning Committee that now shares this vision is made up of several Wells County residents, some of whom have lost a child of their own. The group retained an architect and together they were able to create a park setting with landscaping for shade and privacy with the Angel as the centerpiece. The park is located at the intersection of Bennett and Wabash streets. This setting provides a soothing sound of the water and a view of the beautiful Wabash river. The park includes brick walkways and several benches for those wishing to enjoy the park and remember their loved ones.

Bluffton residents may now apply to gain entry to The Bluffton Dog Park, located at 805 W Market at the intersection of Indiana and Market Street. The registration forms are available at City Clerk Treasurer’s Office or can be downloaded.

Bluffton K-9 Kommons Rules and waiver

Lions Park, 228 Midway; is approximately 5.5 acres in the west-central part of Bluffton, off Midway and Washington Streets, Facilities include a playground, a pavilion with picnic tables and grill, a mini-soccer field, 2 lighted basketball courts, 3 lighted tennis courts also marked for pickleball , 2 restroom facilities, a maintenance office building with storage, a practice T-Ball diamond, a lighted softball diamond, and a concession stand. Adult Softball Leagues and the Sandy Koufax league for boys ages 13-14 use the field at Lions Park, which used to be Wilson Field through the years that it was the football field for the high school.

Jefferson Park, 315 E Horton; and is approximately 2.1 acres in size, located in the southeast portion of Bluffton off Townley and Bennett Streets.

Facilities include a playground, 2 T-Ball diamonds, a batting cage, a press box, and a concession stand/restrooms building. T-Ball is for ages 4-6, and the coach pitch is for 7 and 8, boys and girls.

Facilities include; Beachfront Kunkel Lake Boating Ramp for kayak/canoes, Paddle Boating Rental, Fishing Piers, Picnic Pavilions, Recreation & Nature Programs, Lighted Tennis/ Basketball Courts, Sand volleyball, Softball Diamond, Boccee Ball Court, Fire Tower, Live Bison Exhibit,Moderate trail hiking, Paved Bike Trail.

located on E. Washington St. near the intersection of Wayne St and River Road. The name of this property comes from the stream that once ran through this park site. This is the former location of 17 homes that were damaged in the July 2003 flood and had to be destroyed. Phase 1 of the park is complete which includes paved paths (Pickett’s Run Loop 1/5 mile or 326 meters), picnic tables, benches, wood carvings, a NEW Story Walk, and a historical marker. Located across the street at the corner of E. Washington & Bennett St. is the splash pad spray park made possible by the generosity of the Wells County Foundation in honor of the 50th Anniversary. The splash pad is open May-Sept, 11a.m.-7pm daily depending on the weather. There is no cost to enjoy! The park also includes a life fitness trail for outdoor exercise.

Roush Park, 925 W Silver; is about 8 acres in size and located in the southwest part of Bluffton, off the Indiana Street-Clark Avenue intersection. Facilities include playground equipment, 2 lighted baseball diamonds, 2 lighted softball diamonds, picnic areas, 2 pavilions, restroom/changing facilities, a storage building, press boxes at the ball diamonds, batting cages, concession stand, and 2 basketball courts. The Farm League (9 and 10-year-old boys) and Jr. League (11 and 12-year-old boys) use the two baseball diamonds. Junior Girls League (ages 9-12) and Senior Girls League (ages 13-16) use the two softball diamonds. Est. 2016; splash pad, and a 1/2 mile paved walking trail along with renovations done to the large pavilion.

Washington Park, 710 S Mulberry; is approximately 2.6 acres in size in the southeast part of Bluffton, off Ohio, Mulberry, Arnold, and Bennett Streets. Facilities include playground equipment, 2 8-foot basketball goals, and 2 lighted 10-foot basketball goals; a new year-round enclosed pavilion with kitchenette, a Rock Steady Boxing/ Fitness room, and a lighted pavilion with picnic tables. Across the street are 3 lighted tennis courts, newly sealed and marked for pickleball as well.

Whicker Park Inclusive Playground is designed to be a space where everyone can play! Located at 425 E. Harrison rd. Bluffton. Additionally, the ball diamond is home to the Dream Team! Dream Team is a program that provides great opportunities to belong and achieve for children over the age of 3 years that have physical, mental and/or emotional disabilities that may disqualify them from participating in typical community activities. Dream Team kids participate in year-round activities like t-ball, swimming, art, bowling and more!

Facilities include; playground, picnic areas, wood gazebo, campsites with electric hook-ups.

Rental spaces: Wedding/Receptions/Large Corporate events, 2 meeting room spaces, Commercial Kitchen, Wooded Wedding Area, Rustic Cabin.

Veterans Memorial Park, 725 S Main; is in the southeast part of Bluffton at the corner of Main and Arnold Streets. This park features memorial gardens, walkways, a gazebo, and park benches. It is the scene of official tributes to those who have served in the nation’s defense.

(310 West Spring Street) Pavilion Rental includes 17 picnic tables, 4 electric outlets, has a charcoal grill or a gas grill may be rented from the Bluffton Parks Department, restrooms available in the pool house

Playground, sand volleyball, concessions stand, Large Slide, 2 Deep End Slides

NEW! Lancaster Park is located on Bluffton’s north side off State Road 1 and is approximately 17.5 acres in size. The park includes a half-mile walking trail with benches, a pavilion with restrooms, a lighted basketball court with six backboards, a dual-use football or soccer field, a dual-use 9-hole disc golf or foot golf course, a playground, a Gaga ball pit, two sand volleyball courts, two cornhole games, a giant foosball court, a solar charging station, a fire pit, a bike repair station with air pump, a sledding hill, a pole barn, and tons of open space. Pavilion Rentals are available here.

The oldest park in Ossian, located on northeast side of town on Park street. In the 5.2 acres there is a splash pad, playground equipment, half court basketball, grass volleyball court, horse shoe pits, corn hole boards and an open pavilion with restrooms and electricity.

Walking trail parking entrance: Just north of the baseball concession stand on Melching Street

Handicap entrance: On the south end of Braeburn Street within the Bunn Addition

Facilities include;playground,paved walking trail, dog park, Disc Golf Course, Snow Sledding HIll, Outdoor Ampitheatre and indoor pavilion available for rent, Dog Park, small skate park area, fully stocked fishing pond.

Ossian Boneyard Dog Park is open from dawn to dusk for registered key holders only. Located at 2298 E 900 N.

Ossian ‘The Bone Yard’ Rules and registration