Franklin, Indiana Development News

Franklin City Council Reviews Major Park and Aquatic Center Renovations and Expansions

The city council received an update on proposed quality of life projects, focusing on Scott Park and the Franklin Family Aquatic Center. For Scott Park, the plan is to expand the existing 5-acre park to 35 acres by acquiring adjacent land, addressing parking issues from previous flood-related facility relocations. The expanded park will include seven youth baseball fields, one larger diamond, two soccer fields, 12 pickleball courts, three basketball courts, over 900 parking spaces, shelter houses, a playground, a splash pad, and a maintenance building. Outdoor recreation features like fishing piers and trails around a pond are planned. The project also aims to connect to the Greenway Trail system. For the Franklin Family Aquatic Center, a 40-year-old facility, the proposal is to renovate and expand the existing structure rather than building a new one offsite. This renovation includes adding 112 parking spots, which will necessitate moving the current park maintenance facility. The project also involves closing a road adjacent to the pool and removing diving boards, replacing the 12-foot diving well with a 5-foot ninja course area. The zero-depth pool will be converted into a splash pad area for younger children, and a new zero-depth ADA-accessible pool with a play structure will be created off the main pool. Additionally, two new water slides will be added, and the existing slide will be refurbished. A unique feature will be a wave pool, with similar attractions found in only a few other Indiana locations. Both projects are slated for construction to begin in the coming months, with a goal to complete Scott Park by April/May 2028 and the Aquatic Center by May 2028, while minimizing disruption to the current seasons.