On April 12, Belmont Beach will kick off another season of free community events on the near westside with an afternoon of field day games, nature walks, music and food.
In the 1920s, the beach was where Black residents could swim in the heat of the summer. The stretch of the White River by Belmont Beach, near 16th Street, was polluted, but it was the only option, because the city’s parks were segregated.
In 2021, Friends of Belmont Beach started turning it into a gathering place for the community. If you visit Belmont Beach now, you’ll see shaded picnic tables overlooking the river, firepits and a small trail. They host events running from April to October each year
Saturday’s opening day celebration runs from 1-3 p.m. The event is free, and you don’t have to register. It’s at Belmont Beach, 1300 N. White River Parkway Drive. It was originally scheduled for April 5, but Friends of Belmont Beach moved the date because of weather concerns.
Yoga, gardening and movie nights every month
- Yoga and meditation with the RnB Yogi: Every second Saturday of the month, you can practice yoga and meditation. It’s free, and lunch is provided. This season’s first yoga class is 11 a.m. April 12.
- Gardening workshop with Ma’at Urban Agriculture: Every third Saturday of the month, learn to garden at hands-on workshops. It’s free, and lunch is provided. The next event is 11 a.m. April 19.
- Westside Maker’s Market and movie night: Every last Friday of the month, you can bring your family to see a movie and check out local vendors. “Madea’s Family Reunion” is next up, at 7 p.m. April 25.
- You can find more things to do on Friends of Belmont Beach’s events page.
Mirror Indy reporter Sophie Young covers services and resources. Contact her at sophie.young@mirrorindy.org.
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