It was about five years ago that Irving Materials Inc. (IMI) quarry on Geist Lake ended its useful life as a mine.  The City of Fishers was quick to invoke eminent domain to buy the land, the last remaining waterfront property potentially available for public use.  It took several years to traverse the legal process, but May 24, 2023, the City of Fishers celebrated the opening of Geist Waterfront Park with a ribbon-cutting ceremony.

The park will first be open the the public Saturday, May 27th.

Fishers Mayor Scott Fadness referred to the long process for the park to become a reality.  He and other leaders of Fishers “thought what was in the best interest of our Fishers residents, was to create a public amenity that would allow any resident of Fishers to have the opportunity to come out here and enjoy the water.”

The Fishers City Council recently enacted a $50 per vehicle parking fee if no resident of fishers is in the vehicle.  Mayor Fadness said at the council meeting the goal of the fee is to control the size of beach crowds and enhance public safety.  The $50 parking fee has encountered harsh criticism from outside Fishers, arguing this fee far exceeds any parking fee for public parks in the area.

Anyone entering the park as a pedestrian or bicyclist will not be charged, resident or nonresident, according to city officials.

Fishers residents may download a phone app or receive a card allowing free access to Geist Waterfront parking.  For more information on obtaining the app or card, use this link.

A look at the Geist Waterfront Park beach