Indianapolis Eagle Creek Park and Nature Preserve
Eagle Creek Park is one of the largest municipal parks in the country, with over 5,300 hundred acres of parkland right in Northern Indianapolis. As many as one million people visit this city oasis each year. The Park is home to over 1400 acres of water, 3,900 acres of parkland, and 10 miles of trails to explore.
The picturesque Park opened in 1962, and by 1973 the Eagle Creek Park Nature Center was officially open. The Park history tells that much of the parkland was purchased by wealthy Indianapolis businessmen in the 1920s and 1930s. They bought the properties and built country estates along the beautiful creek. One such prominent man was Josiah K. Lilly, a wealthy pharmaceutical company executive. He originally purchased 12 acres but went on to own nearly 3,000 acres by the 1950s. He became ill and donated the current parkland. The Ornithology Center was Mr. Lilly’s detailed library, and guests can still see his carefully constructed vault that housed his priceless collections.
In 1978 the Eagle Creek Park Foundation was formed as a nonprofit organization dedicated to helping fund park projects. It also serves to Protect, Enhance, Preserve, and Promote the Park. Their goal is to ensure the Park retains its natural settings for years to come. They work to provide environmental education, trail restoration, and protection of the diverse habitats throughout the Park.
Eagle Creek Park is open year-round from dawn until dusk daily. The Park does charge a small admission fee, or for frequent guests, seasons passes are available. Included with admission is a trip to the Earth Discovery Education Center. It opened in 2007 after 3.4 million dollars was raised for this world-class nature center. The Center’s goal is to provide environmental education to all but with a particular focus on youth. Over 80,000 guests visit each year, and school trips bring over 6,000 students per year.
Expect an unlikely greeting at the Earth Discovery Center like a green tree frog or a caterpillar morphing into a Monarch right at the front desk. The Center offers over 120 park and nature programs for all ages, such as building a habitat, discoveries in the geothermal pond, and owl gazing, just to name a few. There is an awesomely sweet Beehive exhibit and various plant and leaf collections indoors. Head outdoors to check out a fantastic reservoir view and connect with one of the many walking and hiking trails.
The Exhibit hall houses various native amphibians, reptiles, and fish, including mudpuppies, salamanders, catfish, and large-mouth bass. Some slithering creatures to view are the water, garter, black rat snakes, and musk turtles. The Center holds annual art shows where the animals remain on display.
Eagle Creek is considered a top spot for birding by National Geographic. People travel from over 40 states, 15 countries to visit the impressive Eagle Creek Park Ornithology Center. It is perfectly and uniquely located on protected parkland. The diverse Park space is filled with ponds, streams, grasslands, deciduous woods, and wetlands with a vast water area not connected to the reservoir or the Coffer Dam.
A few of the notable species to observe are the Bald Eagle, Loons, double-breasted cormorants, great blue herons, grebes, geese, swans, ducks, wild turkeys, hummingbirds, turkey vultures, and so many more. There is an Eagle Creek Park species checklist available at the Center, and it states that over 420 bird species have been documented in Indiana, and more than half have been spotted at the Eagle Creek Park.
Eagle Creek park facilities offer a wide variety of activities with everything from hiking, swimming, boating to ziplining. The swimming area is open for the summer months. Go Ape is a fantastic heart-pounding, 2-3 hour treetop and zipline adventure like no other. It boasts a 305-foot zipline, a 41-foot platform, and 40 exciting and unique obstacles.
Eagle Creek Park is home to a rowing center, a marina, and a sailing club.
Kids from around Indianapolis in grades 7-12 come to learn rowing, while adults come for recreational or competitive rowing. If rowing is not your thing try your hand at another water sport; other rentals available include kayaks, canoes, stand-up paddleboards, paddleboats, and pontoon boats. Wheel Fun Rentals offers many exciting rental options, from hourly rentals to guided tours and group programs. If you want to try something new, they also rent electric bikes, which are lightweight and easy to ride.
The Eagle Creek Gordon Gilmer Bark Park is ready and waiting for you to bring your beloved canines for some free-roaming park fun. Once in the Park, unleash your dog for some free play, but be sure to keep your leash handy in case of any issues. The Bark Park is unsupervised and to be used at your own risk.
A calming presence in the Park is the Peace Learning Center created to reduce violence in the community and increase kindness. They offer many pre-school and high school programs using fun and interactive games, sparking memorable discussions that bring lasting change. They also provide programs for families, educators, and community members.
The Park is host to one of the Midwest’s premier public 36 hole championship golf facilities in the beautiful and lush park setting. Golf
Digest rates Eagle Creek Golf Club in the “Places to Play ” in Indiana, and the Club has won the Consumers Choice award for “: Favorite Public Golf course in Indianapolis. The Sycamore Course challenges even seasoned golfers with its mix of tree-lined fairways, hills, and water holes. The Pines Course provides a long skillful first nine and an easy-going back nine, which golfers of all skills can enjoy.
As you can see, Eagle Creek Park has a vast and varied assortment of activities to fill a day quickly. The Park is home to several marked nature trails ranging from the 1.25-mile Fitness Trail to the 6.75 -mile Red Trail. Walking or hiking the winding trails takes visitors through the diverse park areas like the Spring Pond Nature Preserve, the Bird Sanctuary, the Marina, or the Swimming area, providing some great plant and wildlife viewing.
Eagle Creek Park is a fabulous way to spend the day with endless activities to keep you wanting to come back for more! It is conveniently located in Northern Indianapolis, making it easily accessible. Plan to spend an entire day enjoying many of the Parks varied attractions or just spend the day out in nature relaxing in the beautiful and lush parkland. It is a top spot to visit in Indianapolis.
Check out the Lucas Oil Stadium which is in Indianapolis too.
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