The Explorer Magazine Fall 2022 | Page 2

HENDRICKS COUNTY
PARKS & RECREATION
MAIN OFFICE 955 E . Main Street P . O . Box 463 Danville , IN 46122 Phone : ( 317 ) 718-6188 Weather Hotline : ( 317 ) 718-6111 hcparks @ hcparks . net www . HendricksCountyParks . org
PARKS DEPARTMENT ADMINISTRATION Superintendent Ryan Lemley rlemley @ co . hendricks . in . us
Assistant Superintendent Eric Ivie eivie @ co . hendricks . in . us
Administrative Assistant Patty Seymour hcparks @ hcparks . net
PROGRAMMING Park Naturalist Sarah Wolf swolf @ hcparks . net
Assistant Naturalists Joy Fulk • Jessica Lawson Joe Lembo • Linda Nichols
MAINTENANCE Park Manager Jim Holtsclaw jholtsclaw @ hcparks . net

MISSION STATEMENT

To lead in the protection of outstanding natural , historic and recreation areas , and linkages . To practice and promote the highest conservation ethics and provide environmental education and recreation opportunities to the community . To lead in enhancing quality of life and individual health while driving economic development to ensure a sustainable future for our community .
ON THE COVER
The prairie at McCloud Nature Park is full of native grasses and wildflowers , making it a popular autumn destination . Enjoy the prairie during the Fall Colors Festival , the Fall Colors Run , the Family Campout , and the fish-themed McCloud Prairie Maze , along with any of the family programs taking place this fall ! Photo by Senior Park Naturalist Sarah Wolf
Maintenance Assistants Oather Duncan III • Caleb Hawkins Scott Hawkins • Jason Kittle Phillip Lawson • Bruce Schauer Kurt Steuer • Ralph Wilkinson
HENDRICKS COUNTY PARK BOARD Bill DuMond • Brad Eisenhart Gary Emsweller • Matthew Freije Mike Hayden • Paul Miner • Jeff Pell
PARK BOARD MEETINGS The Hendricks County Park Board generally meets the first Wednesday of each month at 2 p . m . in the main office although dates and times are subject to change ( see website for scheduling updates ). Meeting agendas are posted one week prior at the office and at the Hendricks County Government Center . The public is always welcome to attend Park Board meetings .
HENDRICKS COUNTY CIRCUIT COURT Hon . Daniel F . Zielinski , Judge
HENDRICKS COUNTY COMMISSIONERS Dennis Dawes • Bob Gentry Phyllis Palmer
FEATURES
Photo by Deb Stukenborg
Fall Colors Festival
The annual Fall Colors Festival at McCloud Nature Park offers tree-climbing , hay rides , archery , atlatl throwing , and many other activities for the whole family !
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McCloud Prairie Maze
This year ’ s McCloud Prairie Maze celebrates the fish ! Check out the design of the 2022 maze and plan your visit to it in September and October .
Fall Colors Run
After a few years ’ hiatus , the Fall Colors Run is back at McCloud Nature Park ! Learn how you can enjoy the gorgeous fall foliage in the park as you run along its trails !
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Fall Harvest Festival
We ’ re starting a new tradition at our newest park with the Fall Harvest Festival at W . S . Gibbs Memorial Park . Make plans to celebrate autumn with us at this inaugural family festival !
HENDRICKS COUNTY COUNCIL David Cox • Kendall Hendricks Larry Hesson • Larry Scott Eric Wathen • Brad Whicker David Wyeth
Photo by Cory Zurcher
ARTICLES
3 Park Guide 6 Family Programs 12 Tear-Out Event Calendar 14 Animal Tales
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15 Junior Explorers 16 Gibbs Turns a Year Old 18 Homeschool Ecology Series 19 Tadpole Time
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20 Vandalia Trail Bike Rides 21 Every Drop Counts 22 Family Campouts 23 ACORN
2 • www . HendricksCountyParks . . org