The Explorer Magazine Summer 2023 | 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 • 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
McCloud Nature Park turns 20 years old this summer ! Our flagship park celebrated its Grand Opening on May 3 , 2003 , and this photo was taken during that historic event . Join us this summer at McCloud as we celebrate two decades of memories , development , activities , and natural beauty !
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
FEATURES
ARTICLES
3 Park Guide 4 Family Programs 12 Tear-Out Event Calendar
Summer Day
Camps
Our Summer Day Camps at McCloud Nature Park and W . S . Gibbs Memorial Park are back ! We have a nice blend of tried-andtrue favorites , as well as new adventures for kids to explore with our Park Naturalists this summer .
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McCloud ’ s 20 th Birthday
McCloud Nature Park opened to the public in 2003 , so we are celebrating its 20th birthday this summer ! Learn how our department ’ s first park came into existence and how far it has come in the past 20 years .
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14 Animal Tales 18 Junior Explorers 19 Tadpole Time
Touch A Truck
Make plans to attend our Touch a Truck event at W . S . Gibbs Memorial Park this summer . We ’ re bringing in big trucks , heavy machinery , emergency vehicles , radio-controlled cars and airplanes , and more !
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Pollinator Party
Without pollinators , our world would be a very different – and challenging – place . Join us at McCloud Nature Park as we celebrate our most famous pollinators : bees !
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20 Homeschool Ecology Series 21 Day in the Life of a Naturalist 23 Programs at the Senior Center
2 • www . HendricksCountyParks . . org