The Explorer Magazine Summer 2021 | Page 2

HENDRICKS COUNTY
PARKS & RECREATION
Photo by Deb Stukenborg
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
PROGRAMMING Park Naturalist Sarah Wolf swolf @ hcparks . net
Assistant Naturalists Joy Fulk • Joe Lembo • Jordan Tremper
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
Who doesn ’ t love a playground ? This nature-themed playground eagerly awaits the laughter , imagination , and adventure of children ages 5 to 12 at our newest park , W . S . Gibbs Memorial Park in Avon ! Next to it is a smaller set of similar playground equipment for kids ages 2 to 5 . This is just one of the amenities at the park that will open this summer ! See page 15 for more information .
Maintenance Assistants Oather Duncan III • Caleb Hawkins Jason Kittle • Kurt Steuer
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 David Cox • Kendall Hendricks Larry Hesson • Larry Scott Eric Wathen • Brad Whicker David Wyeth
FEATURES
ARTICLES
W . S . Gibbs Memorial Park Grand Opening
Our newest park opens in Avon this summer , and you ’ re invited to the Grand Opening !
15
Wildflower Colors
Native wildflowers explode with color in Indiana during the summer , and our Senior Park Naturalist , Sarah Wolf , provides some great information about the different varieties that you ’ ll find in our parks , in your yard , and around the state .
21
Summer Nature Day Camps
Our Summer Day Camps at McCloud Nature Park are back ! We have a nice blend of tried-and-true favorites , as well as new adventures for kids to explore with our Park Naturalists this summer .
16
McCloud Bee Fest
Without pollinators , our world would be a very different – and challenging – place . Join us at McCloud Nature Park as we celebrate the most famous pollinators : bees !
22
3 Park Guide 4 Family Programs 12 Tear-Out Event Calendar 14 Animal Tales
17 ACORN 18 Junior Explorers 19 Tadpole Time 20 Homeschool Ecology Series
22 Family Campouts 22 McCloud Bee Fest 23 Friends of the Vandalia Trail
2 • www . HendricksCountyParks . . org