Deming Park · Terre Haute
A park day, your way.
Play a little. Wander a little. Get to know the places that make Deming Park a Terre Haute favorite.

01 / Bring the family
Big imaginations.
Little adventures.
Oakley Playground is being replaced. The City of Terre Haute announced that demolition had begun in September 2026 and anticipates reopening in fall 2027. Existing playground photos show its earlier appearance.
The Spirit of Terre Haute miniature train adds a different kind of adventure. Rides are seasonal; confirm the day’s schedule and any fare with the Torner Center before you visit.
Call Torner Center: 812-232-0147Check with the city for current playground access and construction notices before visiting.

02 / Find a slower pace
Follow the trees.
Wander the paved paths, visit the Clark-Landsbaum Holly Arboretum, a garden of holly trees, or pause near the ponds. For a longer outing, the tree-lined Dobbs Trail connects Deming Park with Dobbs Park along Poplar Drive.
Choose a route that suits your group. Path surfaces, gradients and facility access can vary; ask the parks department about any specific accessibility needs.
Learn about the Dobbs Trail (external website)
03 / Stay for another round
Bring your game.
Make room in the day for disc golf, basketball or tennis. In disc golf, players throw a flying disc toward a basket. Pack your equipment and check current conditions and any organized activities before setting out.
Picnic shelters offer a natural place to regroup. Browse the city’s rental portal to choose a Deming Park shelter and check availability and fees.
Reserve through the city’s ActivityReg website (external website)Rental steps & telephone help
A Terre Haute tradition
More than a century outside.
Deming Park was dedicated on July 23, 1921. Its history is connected with the Deming family and landscape architect George Edward Kessler’s vision for the city’s parks and boulevards.
The park’s miniature-train tradition began in 1950. Today, that familiar ride is part of a landscape where a simple afternoon can become a family memory.
Read the historical sources