Fishers Parks and Recreation has closed seven park properties Saturday, Aug. 15, as flooding continues across Fishers and Hamilton County.
The closures expand a list that stood at five parks Friday. Heritage Park and Brooks School Park have been added, joining the five properties that were already shut down along the White River, Fall Creek and Geist corridors.
The parks closed Saturday are:
- Heritage Park, 10595 Eller Road
- Brooks School Park, 11780 Brooks School Road
- Fishers AgriPark, 11171 Florida Road
- Fishers White River Park, 5650 White River Park Drive
- Geist Waterfront Park, 10811 Olio Road
- Cumberland Park, 10580 Cumberland Road
- Hamilton Proper Park, 10525 Hoosier Road
The closures come as the White River set a record. The river gauge at Noblesville hit 24.45 feet at 5:45 a.m. Saturday, topping the previous high of 23.80 feet set in 1913. The National Weather Service had forecast a crest near 24.60 feet. The river typically runs around 4 feet.
Hamilton County commissioners declared a state of emergency Friday, and Gov. Mike Braun issued a statewide disaster emergency declaration effective for 30 days. More than 50 roads across the county were closed at the peak of Friday’s high water.
In Fishers, public safety officials have reported closures on Florida Road between Geist Ridge Drive and Bowline Road, along with Trails End Drive and Wahpihani Drive. The multiuse trail along Florida Road south of the Fall Creek bridge is also closed. 113th Street has reopened between Atlantic Road and Southeastern Parkway.
Several of the closed parks sit directly in the flood plain. Fishers White River Park and the AgriPark border the White River, while Geist Waterfront Park, Cumberland Park and Hamilton Proper Park sit near Geist Reservoir and Fall Creek.
Fishers Parks canceled Park After Dark, the 21-and-over evening event at Geist Waterfront Park, on Friday. Residents should check the Fishers Parks website and social media before heading out this weekend, as conditions are changing quickly and additional closures are possible.
City officials repeated a warning that has been central to the county’s messaging all week.
“As a reminder, if you come across a road closure, barricade, or cones, please don’t go around them,” Fishers Parks said in the announcement. “They’re there for your safety and to keep roads clear for emergency personnel that need access.”
Ryan Tennessen, deputy director of Hamilton County Emergency Management, offered similar guidance Friday: “Please stay away from high water and never drive around barricades or through a flooded roadway.”
Officials note that floodwater depth is difficult to judge from a vehicle or on foot, and that pavement beneath standing water may be damaged or washed away entirely.
No timeline has been announced for reopening the parks. Crews will need to assess trail damage, debris and standing water once the river recedes.