Shelters, pavilions and gazebos are great locations for cookouts, family gatherings, graduation parties, weddings, and much more. Here in Hendricks County, Indiana, there are no fewer than 20 of these outdoor, open-air structures that provide inexpensive venues for groups and events of all sizes.
I work for Hendricks County Parks & Recreation, and while you'll find our shelters in this guide, we do not operate every park in Hendricks County. Instead, most towns and some townships operate their own parks and trails.
I'll help you navigate the various parks departments as we go.
Avon Town Hall Park
You have several shelter, pavilion and gazebo options in Avon.
Avon Parks & Recreation operates Avon Town Hall Park, which is filled with amenities for your friends and family to enjoy, including playgrounds, paved trails, picnic tables, a 9-hole disc golf course, ping pong tables, a bocce court and the only free outdoor public radio-control race track in Hendricks County.
Their shelter there is available to rent in halves or in its entirety.
Washington Township Park
Another parks department in Avon is Washington Township Parks & Recreation, and they operate three properties: Washington Township Park, Pecar Nature Park and Murphy Aquatic Park.
There are six shelters of varying of sizes available for rent at Washington Township Park. You can also rent a room in their beautiful Pavilion Center for an entirely indoor, climate-controlled event, whether it's a wedding, a meeting, or any other gathering.
You can also rent the nature center -- another entirely indoor, climate-controlled facility -- at Pecar Park.
W.S. Gibbs Memorial Park
Operated by Hendricks County Parks & Recreation, W.S. Gibbs Memorial Park in Avon has two shelters available to rent. Bluegill is the larger of the two shelters, but both are ADA-accessible, have built-in grills and picnic tables and are equipped with electricity.
Opened in 2021, this park does not currently have running water or modern restrooms. There are a few porta-potties throughout the park, including near each shelter. (Insider tip: modern restrooms are coming to W.S. Gibbs Memorial Park, most likely in 2025.)
Brownsburg
For all of your parks needs in Brownsburg, Brownsburg Parks & Recreation is your go-to source. They have multiple shelters available for rent in Arbuckle Acres Park, several more at Williams Park, and one at Stephens Park.
In addition to outdoors shelters, you can also rent Bundy Lodge at Arbuckle Acres Park and Eaton Hall at Brownsburg Town Hall.
Danville
Danville Parks & Recreation operates Ellis Park, Gary Eakin Park, the Blanton House, Jack Willard Park and the Danville Athletic Club. Within Ellis Park, there are two shelters, an amphitheater and a gazebo that can be rented for outdoor fun.
If you prefer an indoor, climate-controlled facility, consider the Train Station in Ellis Park.
Planning a wedding or some other special event? Add the Blanton House to your list of potential venues, as its beautiful grounds and building are a popular spot for big occasions.
North Salem
In the northwest corner of Hendricks County, North Salem boasts a hidden gem in McCloud Nature Park. Within this heavily wooded 232-acre park is a pavilion that can be rented from Hendricks County Parks & Recreation.
It has picnic tables, two built-in grills, electricity available, and is a stone's throw from the Nature Center and modern restrooms.
Pittsboro
In northern Hendricks County, just west of Brownsburg, lies the Town of Pittsboro's Scamahorn Park and Scott Park.
There are three pavilions at Scamahorn Park and one at Scott Park. Each pavilion comes with picnic tables and grills and are adjacent to playgrounds and sports fields.
Pittsboro Parks & Recreation also has buildings available for rent.
Plainfield Parks & Recreation
Covering the southeastern section of Hendricks County is Plainfield, which boasts a magnificent parks and trails system. Plainfield Parks & Recreation operates the majority of those parks and trails including the popular Friendship Gardens, Echo Hollow Nature Park, Franklin Park, Swinford Park and more.
Shelters are available to rent at several of their parks.
Hummel Park
While it's located in Plainfield, the very popular Hummel Park is operated by Guilford Township. Hummel Park offers several shelter houses and gazebos for rent for a variety of events.
Their shelter houses and gazebos are in various locations throughout the park and offer close proximity to playgrounds, the splash pad, restrooms, shaded and wooded areas and more.
