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We're sorry, but online registration is not allowed for this activity. Please contact us during regular business hours for registration information.
Join us for naturalist-led hikes and public programs for all ages at Eagle Creek Park’s sixth annual Wildflower Weekend! While attending hikes you can make your own observations or contribute to citizen science by helping us document spring wildflower diversity in the park. Come prepared with appropriate shoes and clothing to hit the trails, lunches and snacks, and a water bottle to make the most of the weekend’s offerings.
A detailed schedule of hikes and programs will be available in March.
Park admission is $6 for in county residents and $8 for out of county residents. All programs require minors to be accompanied by adults.
Saturday, April 11
1. 10:00am-12:00pm Wildflower ID Hike- OC mesic woods
Tom Swinford, Director of Land Preservation for Sycamore Land Trust, will lead a 1-mile hike through this diverse section of the park. The exposed bluffs are home to shooting stars, fire pink, and other ephemerals that like living on the edge! We will also explore the Beech-Maple Loop that stays moist and shaded, providing a great home for ostrich fern, spring beauties, and wood poppies. Distance: 1 mile, Difficulty: Moderate Location B, @ OC
2. 10:00am-12:00pm Garlic Mustard Pull
Help protect our spring wildflowers by removing invasive garlic mustard with Municipal Gardens Assistant Manager Pat Stutz and the Amos Butler Audubon Society! RSVP recommended to Pat.Stutz@indy.gov but walk-ins welcome as well. Wear long pants and close-toed shoes that can get dirty, bring work or gardening gloves if you have them (we’ll have a limited supply available to borrow). Distance: 1 mile, Difficulty: Easy Location B, @OC
3. 11:00am-12:00pm Native Plant Gardening
Learn the basics of incorporating native plants into your garden with Kashena Hottinger, Interior Horticulturist for Garfield Park Conservatory. We’ll have a limited stock of native plants and native plant seeds available for a donation at the Earth Discovery Center. Location A (EDC Exhibit Hall)
4. 1:00pm-1:30pm Skunk Saturday
Get up-close and personal with our sweet and stinky skunk! Each Saturday at 1pm, Stinkerbell comes out for a training session with one of her trainers. Ask questions, learn about skunks in Indiana and beyond, and discover how we train our animal ambassadors. The skunk will be in a pen with her trainer, and NO touching or handling by the public is permitted. Location A (EDC Exhibit Hall)
5. 1:00pm-3:00pm Handmade Papermaking $10/person, limited to 12 people, pre-registration required www.indyparks.org (36850)
Looking for a fun new craft to learn? Come learn how to make recycled paper at Eagle Creek Park's Wildflower Weekend. From pulp to product, you will create your own unique sheets of paper! (Please note that the paper needs to dry in place overnight and will not be ready to take home on the same day as the program. Participants can return to collect their finished paper sheets from the Earth Discovery Center on a later day). All materials will be provided but participants are welcome to bring in their own additional paper, flower petals and small seeds to use if they wish. Park gate entry fee is included with the cost of the program. Participants ages 13-17 years old need to be registered and attend with a registered adult. Location A (EDC Wet Lab)
6. 1:00pm-2:30pm Wildflowers and Salamanders
Meet at Lilly Lake Shelter for a hike through some of the older forest just south of the lake where an abundance of wildflower species can be found. We’ll also look for redback salamanders that live in the same habitat and learn about their fascinating life history. This hike will be family friendly. Children ages 7 and up may enjoy this hike that combines plants and animals. Distance: 1 mile, Difficulty: Easy Location C
7. 1:30pm-2:30pm Wildflower Tea $5/person, limited to 25 people pre-registration required www.indyparks.org (38652)
Join Kashena Hottinger, Interior Horticulturalist for Garfield Conservatory, for a tea-licious native wildflower tea tasting! Infuse your day with knowledge about the wildflowers that are used to brew these interesting drinks, steep into the medicinal histories of each cup, and taste a variety of herbal blends. Park gate entry fee is included with the cost of the program. Participants ages 12-17 years old need to be registered and attend with a registered adult Sip, sip, hooray! Location A (EDC Dry Lab)
8. 2:00pm-3:00pm Frog-a-palooza
April showers bring May flowers...and frogs! Join naturalist Katie Kolcun to explore the wonderful world of amphibians and discover what makes them so special. We’ll have frog-themed activities, crafts, and meet-and-greets with live frogs from around the world. We hope you’ll hop on by! Location A (EDC Geothermal Pond)
9. 2:00pm-4:00pm Wildflower ID Hike- Eagle’s Crest
One of the most ecologically rich habitats in Marion County, Eagle’s Crest Nature Preserve offers rolling hills, steep ravines, and panoramic views of the reservoir. Join Tom Swinford, Director of Land Preservation with Sycamore Land Trust, on this 1.75-mile rugged hike through a vast display of Virginia bluebells and other spring beauties. Distance: 1.75 miles, Difficulty: Rugged Location D
10. 3:30pm–4:00pm Seed Bombs
After the Handmade Papermaking program has wrapped up, join us in the Wet Lab to use the leftover paper pulp and seeds to create your own seed bombs! All ages are welcome. No pre-registration is required. Free while supplies last. Location A (EDC Wet Lab)
Sunday, April 12
11. 10:00am-12:00pm Wild Edibles Hike
The Indiana landscape provides a bounty of edible plants. Learn how to identify edible plants and toxic look-a-likes to aid in survival situations, expand your taste palate, and gain a better appreciation for native plants with our local expert, Jessica Helmbold, Assistant Manager of Garfield Conservatory. Distance: 1 mile, Difficulty: Moderate Location A, EDC
12. 1:00pm-3:00pm Wildflower ID Hike- Eagle’s Crest Nature Preserve
If you missed this hike on Saturday, or just really love this special place, join us for another hike through Eagle’s Crest Nature Preserve. Join Kevin Tungesvick, Senior Ecologist at Eco Logic and expert plant guide, on this 1.75- mile rugged trail. This is an exceptional site for many spring ephemerals and one of the most special places in Indianapolis. Distance: 1.75 mile, Difficulty: Rugged Location D
13. 1:00pm-2:00pm Birds & Blooms Hike
Join the Nawrocki Family (Ornithology Center Manager Jenna McElroy) to learn the birds of Eagle Creek and the unique relationships they have with spring wildflowers. Explore the trails around the Ornithology Center on this relaxed guided hike. Binoculars are provided for use, making this hike perfect for the whole family. Distance: 1.5 miles, Difficulty: Easy Location B, @ OC
14. 2:00pm-4:00pm Forest Bathing Hike $15/person, limited to 20 people ages 15+, pre-registration required www.indyparks.org (38669)
Join Certified Association of Nature & Forest Therapy (ANFT) Guide & Ornithology Center Assistant Manager, Donna Riner, for a guided Forest Bathing experience. During our time together, we will use our senses to “bathe” in our surroundings, promoting rest & relaxation through sensory connection to nature. Throughout the experience there will be opportunities for wandering short distances, sitting, standing, and sharing with others. We will meet at the Earth Discovery Center front doors at 2:00 pm and we will conclude around 4:00 pm. At the end of this experience we will share tea & snacks together. Preregistration is required, $15/participant, limited to the first 20 participants, ages 15+ welcome but must be accompanied by a registered adult. Distance: 0.5-1 mile, Difficulty: Easy Location A (EDC shelter)
15. 3:00pm-4:00pm A Habitat for a Bat
Meet our educational bat ambassadors and learn how native plants can help bats thrive! Participants will have the opportunity to take home a native tree seedling or native plant seeds after the program, while supplies last. Location A (EDC Exhibit Hall)
Activities going on all weekend long:
i-Naturalist project – the Eagle Creek Wildflower Weekend i-Naturalist project will automatically include all plant observations made within Eagle Creek Park, April 11-12.
Self-guided Wildflower Hike – will be set up on the Pin Oak loop trail across from the Earth Discovery Center. Many wildflower specimens along the trail will be labeled to help with your plant identification.
Nature Centers – the Earth Discovery Center will be open to the public 10 am – 5 pm on Friday and Saturday and 1 pm – 5 pm on Sunday. Wildflower coloring sheets and scavenger hunts will be available. The Ornithology Center will be open to the public 10 am – 5 pm on Friday and Saturday and 1 pm – 5 pm on Sunday.
Eagle Creek Park Wildflower Weekend Program Locations
Location A- Earth Discovery Center, 5901 Delong Road, Indianapolis, IN 46254, 317-327-7148
The Earth Discovery Center is a year-round nature center with a variety of environmental education themed displays and amenities. Parking, restrooms, water fountains, park maps, and nature center staff are available from 10 am-5 pm Friday and Saturday and 1 pm-5 pm Sunday. Hikes meet in front of the building, but please keep path open for others to enter and exit the nature center. The Exhibit Hall is located on the upper level of the nature center. The Wet Lab is located on the lower level of the nature center. The EDC shelter is located on the south end of the EDC parking lot behind the Go Ape cabin.
Location B- Ornithology Center, 6515 Delong Road, Indianapolis, IN 46278, 317-327-2473
The Ornithology Center is a year-round nature center with a variety of environmental education themed displays focusing on birds. Parking, restrooms, water fountains, park maps, and nature center staff are available from 10 am-5 pm Friday and Saturday and 1 pm- 5 pm Sunday. Hikes will meet in front of the building.
Location C- Lilly Lake Shelter, follow park signage.
Lilly Lake Shelter is a hexagon shelter with a brown roof located on the east shore of Lilly Lake with restrooms nearby. There is no drinking fountain at this location. Parking is available across the street from the shelter or in the Lilly Lake South Parking Lot.
Locations D and E are located on the west side of the reservoir. Do not enter through the 56th St. Gatehouse or the 71st St. Gatehouse for these locations.
Location D- Eagle’s Crest Nature Preserve, 7201 Fishback Rd, Indianapolis, IN 46278
There is no running water available at this site but a portalet will be available for use. Turn in at the sign, Eagle’s Crest at Eagle Creek Park. There are automated gates at this location. Be prepared to scan an Eagle Creek Park Pass or use a credit card for parking when you enter and exit this location. Driveway will continue through soccer fields until you arrive at additional parking and house structure.
Location E- Bear Overlook, 8600 W 56th, Indianapolis, IN 46254
There is no running water available at this site but a portalet will be available for use. Groups will gather at the Galyan’s Bear statue. There are automated gates at this location. Be prepared to scan an Eagle Creek Park Pass or use a credit card for parking when you enter this location. We have no scheduled hikes at the Bear Overlook this year, but the trail is a great place for spring wildflowers to explore on your own.
Special thanks to our event partner organizations and Eagle Creek Park Volunteers!
Pack a lunch or snacks if you are planning to stay throughout the day. Dress for the weather.
Age Category
All Ages
Location
Various Locations within Eagle Creek. Check schedule for meet-up locations.
Instructor
Indy Parks Staff
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