Lentz Park

{{Short description|Municipal park in Indianapolis, Indiana, U.S.}}

Lentz Park is a {{convert|3.4|acre|adj=on}} urban park in the Haughville neighborhood of Indianapolis, Indiana, United States. The park is named after Sarah Lentz, who sold the land to Indianapolis for $1.00 in 1928.{{cite news |title=New Westside Park Dedicated by Lugar |url=https://newspapers.library.in.gov/?a=d&d=INR19710403-01.1.13&srpos=4&e=-------en-20--1--txt-txIN-%22lentz+park%22------ |accessdate=February 23, 2021 |work=Indianapolis Recorder |publisher=Indianapolis Recorder |date=April 3, 1971}} Located at 700 North Traub Avenue, Lentz Park is five blocks west of the White River. Lentz Park was once a locale for amateur and semi-professional baseball, formerly playing host to a segregated baseball team.{{cite news |title=Semi-Pros and Amateurs |url=https://newspapers.library.in.gov/?a=d&d=IPT19310728.1.10&srpos=3&e=-------en-20--1-byDA-txt-txIN-%22lentz+park%22------ |accessdate=February 23, 2021 |work=Indianapolis Times |publisher=Indianapolis Times |date=July 28, 1931}}{{cite news |title=Feeney's a Hero at Lentz Park |url=https://newspapers.library.in.gov/?a=d&d=IPT19500825.1.11&srpos=6&e=-------en-20--1-byDA-txt-txIN-%22lentz+park%22------ |accessdate=February 23, 2021 |work=Indianapolis Times |publisher=Indianapolis Times |date=August 25, 1950}} In addition to a baseball field, the park also had a rest station, tennis court, and horseshoe pit.{{cite news |title=Board to make improvements in Lentz Park|url=https://newspapers.library.in.gov/?a=d&d=INR19670805-01.1.4&srpos=8&e=-------en-20--1-byDA-txt-txIN-%22lentz+park%22------ |accessdate=February 23, 2021 |work=Indianapolis Recorder |publisher=Indianapolis Recorder |date=August 5, 1967}}

In 1970, United States Department of Housing and Urban Development funds were used to renovate the park with new basketball and baseball areas, balancing beams, rope swings, and sculptural trees.{{cite news |title=Ground-breaking scheduled for westside parks |url=https://newspapers.library.in.gov/?a=d&d=INR19700314-01.1.14&srpos=9&e=-------en-20--1-byDA-txt-txIN-%22lentz+park%22------ |accessdate=February 23, 2021 |work=Indianapolis Recorder |publisher=Indianapolis Recorder |date=March 14, 1970}} After decades of subsequent decline, Lentz Park has been left with a small children's play area and a decrepit basketball court.{{Citation needed|date=October 2022}}