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 Interim Park Naturalist Joe Lembo jlembo @ hcparks . net
Assistant Naturalists Joy Fulk • Linda Nichols
MAINTENANCE Park Manager Jim Holtsclaw jholtsclaw @ hcparks . net
Maintenance Assistants Oather Duncan III • Caleb Hawkins Scott Hawkins • Wayne Huffman Jason Kittle • Phillip Lawson 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
HENDRICKS COUNTY COUNCIL Caleb Brown • David Cox Larry Hesson • Larry Scott Eric Wathen • Brad Whicker David Wyeth
2 • www . HendricksCountyParks . . org
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 .
FEATURES
ARTICLES
3 Park Guide 7 Programs for Seniors 9 Family Programs 12 Tear-Out Event Calendar 14 Junior Explorers
ON THE COVER
Great blue herons like this one at W . S . Gibbs Memorial Park eat fish as their primary source of food , but they also eat frogs , salamanders , turtles , snakes , insects , rodents and more . They forage mostly by standing still or walking very slowly in shallow water , waiting for fish to swim near , then striking with a rapid thrust of their bill . Herons are commonly seen at both W . S . Gibbs Memorial Park and at McCloud Nature Park . Learn more about these beautiful birds on page 21 . Photo by Traci Patterson Photography
Fall Colors Festival
The annual Fall Colors Festival at McCloud Nature Park offers a wide variety of activities for the whole family as we celebrate the brilliant fall foliage in the park !
4
McCloud Prairie
Maze
Something squirrelly is going on with the McCloud Prairie Maze this year . If you ’ re nutty about mazes , this year ’ s theme is for you ! Check out the design of the 2023 maze and plan your visit in September and
October .
6
16 McCloud Updates 18 Homeschool Ecoogy Series 19 Tadpole Time 20 Vandalia Trail Bike Rides 20 Native Tree Sale
Fall Colors Run
Run or walk a 5K or 10K course that winds through the trails of McCloud Nature Park , immersing participants in the colorful beauty of fall !
5
Fall Harvest Festival
The 2nd annual Fall Harvest Festival returns to W . S . Gibbs Memorial Park in October ! Mark your calendar for this familyfriendly autumn celebration !
8
21 Great Blue Herons 22 Family Campouts 22 Adventure Backpacks 23 Thank You !