The park features a massive, permanent interactive installation titled 'Funky Bones' by Atelier Van Lieshout, composed of fiberglass seating segments resembling an oversized skeleton.
The landscape design includes an engineered wetlands system that naturally filters storm water runoff before it reaches the park's central lake.
The park is part of the larger Newfields campus, which includes the Indianapolis Museum of Art.
The 100-acre site was reclaimed and redeveloped from a former sand and gravel quarry.
The park serves as a migration corridor for various bird species, making it a recognized local spot for birdwatching.
Many of the art installations are designed to decay or change appearance over time, emphasizing the intersection of art and natural entropy.
The Virginia B. Fairbanks Art & Nature Park, commonly known as 100 Acres, is a distinctive outdoor campus blending contemporary art installations with restored wetlands and woodlands. The park centers around a 35-acre lake that serves as a focal point for both environmental conservation and large-scale, site-specific sculptures. Managed by Newfields, it provides an expansive, free-access environment that integrates landscape design with experimental creative works. Visitors can navigate a network of trails that wind through meadows and forest floors. The site is a primary example of functional ecological restoration utilized as a public gallery space. It serves as an active research site for wetland health and native plant species in the White River watershed.
The 'Funky Bones' sculpture installation provides a high-contrast, iconic visual against the surrounding green space.
Wear sturdy, comfortable walking shoes, as the paths range from paved boardwalks to rugged, uneven dirt trails.
Bring insect repellent during the summer months, as the proximity to wetlands results in high mosquito activity.
Check the official Newfields website for alerts on temporary trail closures due to seasonal maintenance or private events.
Do not attempt to swim or wade in the lake, as the water is part of an ecological filtration system and is not monitored for safety.
Open daily from dawn to dusk; may close temporarily during severe weather or for large-scale outdoor events.
Stay on marked trails to protect the wetland ecosystems; do not climb on art installations unless specifically designated as interactive.
