The Explorer Magazine Fall 2024 | 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 Amber Gideon agideon @ hcparks . net
Assistant Naturalists Joy Fulk • Ryann Hoffman Alexis Weidman
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
Fall is a beautiful time of year , and McCloud Nature Park explodes with autumn color every year . With multiple species of trees
W . S . G I B B S M E Mthroughout O R I A L P Aits R K232 acres , McCloud is perpetually recognized as one of the best locations in Indiana to view fall foliage . Immerse yourself in the magic of autumn with a visit to McCloud during the Fall Colors Festival , the Fall Colors Run , or on your own time ! The park is open from dawn to dusk daily . Photo by Deb Stukenborg .
Maintenance Assistants Oather Duncan III • Caleb Hawkins Scott Hawkins • Wayne Huffman Jason Kittle • Phillip Lawson Kurt Steuer • Ralph Wilkinson
HENDRICKS COUNTY PARK BOARD Julie Dougherty • 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
FEATURES
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DANCE PARTY , HAYRIDES , A PUMPKIN TRAIL , FOOD AND MANY MORE EXCITING Fall Colors EVENTS Run , THIS IS GUARANTEED TO BE A Run GRAVEYARD or walk a 5K or SMASH 10K !
26th OCT 2024 course that winds through the trails of McCloud
Pre-Registration Nature
resquired Park , immersing
$ 10.00 / person or 7PMparticipants in the colorful $ 30.00 / Family up beauty to 6 people of fall ! 10PM
ENTRANTS GET A FREE MINI PUMPKIN TO DECORATE , UNLIMITED HAYRIDES , AND A TREAT BAG !
ARTICLES
3 Park Guide 5 Meet Alex Weidman 8 Family Programs 12 Tear-Out Event Calendar 14 Programs for Seniors
hendrickscountyparks . org
Monster Bash
We are introducing a brandnew fall festival at W . S . Gibbs Memorial Park this year – a Monster Bash !
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15 Vandalia Trail Expansion and Bike
Rides 16 McCloud Updates 17 Gibbs Updates 18 Homeschool Ecology Series
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 !
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McCloud Prairie Maze
Hendricks County turned 200 years old in 2024 , and we ’ re celebrating the bicentennial with our McCloud Prairie Maze ! Check out the design of this year ’ s maze !
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19 Tadpole Time 20 Junior Explorers 21 Bats 22 GRIT Freedom Chairs 23 Family Campout & Native Tree Sale