General Information
Maker Playground is a makerspace that serves Fishers and the surrounding community with affordable workspace and equipment access to complete projects or learn new skills! Individuals can use the space by becoming a member and getting access to our equipment during our open hours, or by signing up for a class or workshop to learn or create something new!
Anyone age 16+ who is driven to learn and make stuff is welcome to become a member at Maker Playground!
Membership is $50/month for Fishers residents and $75/month for non-residents. Young entrepreneur (ages 16-22) memberships are $25/month for Fishers residents and $37.50 for non-residents. We also have a punch card option available to both residents and non-residents, which costs $125 for 5 visits. View membership options HERE.
Members can access the space and use our equipment for the cost of membership, and there are no additional tool fees for using our machines.
Yes! You do not need a membership to participate in our classes or workshops. These classes allow participants to learn more about our equipment and have a fun guided experience! View our upcoming classes HERE.
We are located in the southwest corner of the Hub & Spoke building at 8100 E 106th St in Fishers.
Come by anytime during our opening hours to get a tour of the facility! For tours with groups of 6 people or more, please email makerplayground@fishers.in.us to schedule a tour in advance. Our hours are:
• Monday – Friday: 10 a.m. to 8 p.m.
• Saturday: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
• Sunday: Closed
Younger makers may be interested in the robotics or crafty camp offerings hosted by the Parks Department, some of which have activities that take place at Maker Playground. View a list of camps coming up and register here.
Membership
Members can come in to work anytime during our open hours:
• Monday – Friday: 10 a.m. to 8 p.m.
• Saturday: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
• Sunday: Closed
Maker Playground follows the City of Fishers observed holiday schedule. Members will be notified in advance of holiday-related closings.
Monthly and annual members receive an RFID badge that provides access during open hours. Members must also scan the barcode on their badge at the check-in kiosk before entering the space. Punch Card members must check in with Maker Playground staff to be let in and have their card punched.
Monthly and annual members receive an RFID badge that provides access during open hours. Members must also scan the barcode on their badge at the check-in kiosk before entering the space. Punch Card members must check in with Maker Playground staff to be let in and have their card punched.
Our basic rules while using Maker Playground are:
• Get safety training and follow all safety procedures.
• Respect our tools like you would your own. Do not abuse the machines or use our tools in an unauthorized way.
• Always come prepared wearing safe attire & PPE, fully alert, and machines reserved in advance if applicable.
• Be considerate of other members in the space.
• Clean up after yourself.
• Always listen to staff instructions.
Members can eat or drink in Project Alley or the Think Tank away from tools and equipment. The Hub & Spoke lobby just outside the space will also be a much quieter, dust-free space. Members should not bring food or drink into the wood shop, metal shop, or laser areas.
Maker Playground offers a $25 Guest Pass that allows members to bring in a guest for one day. Members are encouraged to utilize a Guest Pass if they need an additional hand with completing a project, or if they’d like to bring someone in for a fun day of making without an additional membership commitment.
For additional information or to purchase a Guest Pass, ask a staff member.
Members can cancel their membership at no additional cost by emailing makerplayground@fishers.in.us. To avoid being billed for the next month, notify us 10 business days prior to the start of the next billing cycle. Prorated refunds are only available for annual memberships. Members may also pause their membership for up to a year.
Email makerplayground@fishers.in.us anytime or call (317) 595-3150 between the hours of 8:30am – 4:30pm with any questions you may have about Maker Playground!
Equipment + Training
View a complete list of tools and equipment at Maker Playground here.
Yes. Before utilizing any of the equipment at Maker Playground, you will be required to watch safety training videos on our wood shop equipment. These training materials can be found on www.fishersmpg.com under the “Membership” tab. After watching the training videos, submit the Smartsheet form so we can allow you to access the shop.
Maker Playground has many tools available which are not addressed in our training videos. Ask staff for quick demos and training on other wood shop equipment or hand tools you may not be familiar with prior to using.
Thorough, staff directed training sessions are required for our laser engravers, fiber laser (training granted at staff discretion), and CNC router before you are approved to make these machine reservations. Ask staff for information on training sessions for these machines at no additional cost.
Most tools and equipment are available to use without a reservation. Lasers, the CNC router, 3D printers, and the lathe require a reservation for the time you plan to come in.
Lasers, the CNC router, and the lathe can be reserved for a maximum of 4 hours per day. 3D printers can be reserved for up to 6 hours per day. Make a reservation for a machine here.
While other machines are available on a first-come, first-served basis, we ask that members do not monopolize any one machine for an extended period of time to keep access fair to all members.
Yes! Many members bring their own tools to use in the space in addition to the equipment we already have at Maker Playground. Please note that Maker Playground is not responsible for lost or stolen personal items or tools.
Immediately report any damaged equipment or tools to Maker Playground staff, and do NOT try to make repairs or unauthorized modifications to equipment. If staff find that equipment is broken due to deliberate misconduct or misuse, members may be subject to fees for repair at employee discretion. Members will be notified of any fees upon assessment. Refusal to pay repair fees may result in termination of membership.
Projects + Storage
Maker Playground does not provide project materials or consumables such as wood, plywood, 3D printing filament, hardware, and finishes. We have scrap bins with very small amounts of leftover wood available under the miter saw in the wood shop. Otherwise, please bring your own materials. Ask staff for more information if you have questions regarding availability of specific items or consumables.
Maker Playground has access to the back parking lot through the loading dock. Members must first check in at the front kiosk and enter the space before exiting to the back parking lot through the garage doors to retrieve materials. Members will not be able to enter the space from the back parking lot without first checking in and notifying staff.
Some hardwood boards supplied by DGC, Inc. may be available to purchase by Venmo found on QR codes in the space. Ask staff to point you in the direction of the lumber we have for sale. Maker Playground does not have plywood, hardware, finishes, or any other materials for sale on-site.
Projects should be a manageable size for members to work on themselves and easily transport to and from the space. Members are expected to remove projects from the space when they are not actively working on them. Consider our GUEST PASS OPTION for bringing in a friend or guest to help.
Staff are here to ensure everyone is operating machinery safely and proper use of tools and equipment. Staff are also happy to help with design techniques, tips, tricks, and advice. Feel free to ask a question and we will answer or assist to the best of our ability. However, Makerspace Staff are not an extra set of hands for completing projects and are unable to spend the extensive 1-on-1 time with members required to teach longer processes. Projects should be within reasonable size to complete by yourself and be entirely self directed.
Maker playground is unable to provide long-term storage for projects. Overnight storage for lumber or larger projects is only granted case-by-case for glue-ups and for members who will be returning immediately the following day to continue work. All pieces must be labeled with your name and current date and be stored in a designated storage area. Finishes or chemicals may be stored in our flammables cabinet, and should be kept in their original container and labeled with your name. Failure to write your information on your project or materials or failure to relocate your belongings within a week may result in objects being misplaced or repurposed. Maker Playground is not liable for damaged or stolen project materials. Stored materials may only be accessed during Maker Playground open hours.
While we are working on a plan to build an in-house spray booth, we are currently unable to provide adequate ventilation for curing large epoxy pours or finishing large projects. Epoxy for small patches and knots is acceptable, however, deep epoxy pours such as river tables must be completed off-site. Similarly, wipe-on oils for small projects are okay to apply in the space, but spray finishes and many heavier brushed finishes produce fumes we are unequipped to vent. Members must finish these types of projects off site.