The Explorer Magazine Summer 2025 | Page 2

HENDRICKS COUNTY
PARKS & RECREATION
Photo by Nikki Hartung
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 Ryann Hoffman rhoffman @ hcparks . net
Assistant Naturalists Joy Fulk • 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
Ice cream cones aren ’ t the only abundant cones of summer ! Coneflowers are beautiful and colorful native plants that can be found at McCloud Nature Park and at W . S . Gibbs Memorial Park . Local photographer Deb Stukenborg captured these coneflowers in the McCloud prairie while enjoying a summer day at the park .
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
FEATURES
ARTICLES
3 Park Guide 4 Family Programs 12 Tear-Out Event Calendar
Summer 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 .
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Family Campouts
We ’ re offering two family campouts this summer at McCloud Nature Park ! Take advantage of these rare opportunities to spend the night in the park and enjoy all it has to offer with your entire family !
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16 Homeschool Ecology Series 18 Junior Explorers 19 Tadpole Time
New Naturalist Leadership
Two of our employees were promoted at the beginning of the year into leadership positions among our naturalists staff . Learn about these ladies and the positive changes they have made for park guests , volunteers , and our staff .
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We Need Volunteers !
Whether you ’ re a former volunteer or a park guest who has stopped coming to our programs because of negative experiences with our staff , we miss you a lot and would love for you to come volunteer with us !
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21 Honey the Black Rat Snake 22 Farmer ’ s Parket 23 Shelter Rentals
2 • www . HendricksCountyParks . org