HENDRICKS COUNTY
PARKS & RECREATION
Photo by Robert Scholl
MAIN OFFICE 4481 Gibbs Road
Danville, IN 46122 Phone:( 317) 718-6188 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 Ryann Hoffman rhoffman @ hcparks. net
Assistant Naturalists Joy Fulk • Alexis Weidman
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 Vicky Byarley • 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 Brad Whicker
HENDRICKS COUNTY COUNCIL David Cox • Larry Hesson Nancy Marsh • Chuck Parsons Larry Scott • Eric Wathen David Wyeth
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
Fall-O-Ween SPOOKTACULAR
ARTICLES
3 Park Guide 6 Family Programs 12 Tear-Out Event Calendar 14 Programs for Seniors
ON THE COVER
Along with beautiful foliage, cooler temperatures, and everything pumpkin spice, fall also brings about the mating season of deer! Local photographer Traci Patterson captured our cover image of a young buck and generously allowed us to use her work. Our McCloud Prairie Maze celebrates these beautiful, athletic, and interesting animals. Be sure to check out page 15 of this issue, and keep your eyes peeled for deer hanging out in our parks as well as unexpectedly crossing county roads and highways, especially during October and November and especially during dawn or dusk.
Fall-o-ween Spooktacular
Join us at W. S. Gibbs Memorial Park for the Fall-o-ween Spooktacular, featuring a trick-or-treat trail, hayrides, a monster lab, face painting, and other fun fall and Halloween activities!
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McCloud Prairie
Maze
Deerly beloved, we gather here today to … celebrate deer with our 2025 McCloud Prairie Maze! Buck the trend of paying to explore a maze and see if you can navigate the one-mile-long correct path for free! Doe you have what it takes to find your way out?
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16 Homeschool Ecology Series 17 Tadpole Time 18 Junior Explorers 21 History of McCloud Nature Park
Fall Colors Festival & Run
An annual favorite, the Fall Colors Festival at McCloud Nature Park is back in 2025, with the Fall Colors Run kicking things off that same morning! Target sports, hayrides, games, crafts, food and more!
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Ray & Mary Benson
Nature Center
Our nature center at McCloud Nature Park has been renamed to posthumously honor two long-time champions of parks and extremely generous donors. Learn more about this amazing couple and why they will
never be forgotten.
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22 Adventure Backpacks 22 New Benches at McCloud 23 Native Tree Sales 23 Vandalia Trail Bike Rides
2 • www. HendricksCountyParks. org