Eagle Creek Park Wildflower Weekend - At Eagle Creek Park

Park admission is $6 for Marion County residents and $7 for out of county residents. All programs require minors to be accompanied by adults.

Paper Making on Saturday is the only program that requires pre-registration and an additional fee. All other programs are free with park admission.

Call the Earth Discovery Center (317-327-7148) with questions.

Friday, April 19
1. 12:30 pm-2:30 pm Eagle Creek Park History in Flowers Hike
Volunteer Coordinator (and previous park naturalist), Anne Cecere, has developed a passion for Eagle Creek Park history. On a guided hike learn what various plants can teach us about the history of Eagle Creek Park. In this family-friendly program you’ll use clues in the flora to find home sites, while hearing stories from the past. We will also identify the wildflowers we encounter along the way. Distance: 1 mile, Difficulty: Easy Location A

2. 3:00 pm-4:30 pm Wildflower ID Hike- Bear Overlook
This natural surface trail meets ADA standards but might be a little muddy in places with seasonal rain. Eagle Creek Park Manager, Brittany Davis-Swinford, will guide us on an easy stroll to see beautiful spring ephemerals. This newer section of trail loops us through some high-quality forest habitat and some scrubbier areas as well, picking up great species diversity. Distance: 1 mile, Difficulty: Easy Location E

3. 4:30 pm-5:15 pm The Power of a Flower
A family-friendly program introducing the idea of turning your yard into wildlife habitat. Heidi Shoemaker, EDC Naturalist, will read On Meadowview Street by Henry Cole where one child’s determination to protect one flower starts a chain reaction transforming the street into a bustling wildlife habitat. After the book, see some of the animals that can live in our urban yards – including live bats! – and learn about how you can create a wildlife-friendly habitat too! Location A (EDC Exhibit Hall)

Saturday, April 20

4. 9:00 am-11:30 am Wildflower ID Hike- Eagle’s Crest
One of the most ecologically rich habitats in Marion County, Eagle’s Crest Nature Preserve offers rolling hills, steep ravines, and panoramic views of the reservoir. Join Tom Swinford, Director of Stewardship with The Nature Conservancy on this 1.75-mile rugged hike through a vast display of Virginia bluebells and other spring beauties. Distance: 1.75 miles, Difficulty: Rugged Location D

5. 10:00 am-11:00 am Story Time on the Reservoir – Wake Up Woods
Let's celebrate wildflowers and their pollinators with Wake Up, Woods by Shane Gibson and Michael Homoya with beautiful illustrations by Gillian Harris. Heidi Shoemaker, EDC Naturalist, will set up activity stations for children ages 2-6 to create, play, and discover the wonderful world of flowers at their own pace. An adult must stay for the duration of the program. Location A (EDC Shelter outdoors)

6. 10:00 am-12:00 pm Introduction to Wildflowers Hike- Cabin Trail
DNR Division of Fish & Wildlife Stewardship Outreach Specialist, Jennifer Boyce, will lead this hike geared for beginning wildflower enthusiasts, although all are welcome. The Cabin Trail is a moderate 1-mile loop, with stairs, hills, and potential areas of mud/water along the trail. Along the way we’ll see most of our common woodland spring wildflowers including spring beauty, prairie trillium, false rue anemone, and cut-leaved toothwort, and hopefully some of our less common ones like drooping trillium. Distance: 1 mile, Difficulty: Moderate Location A

7. 12:00 pm-12:30 pm Box Turtles and Blooms
If an animal eats a wildflower, how can that benefit the flower? Sometimes it does, but sometimes it doesn’t. Join EDC Naturalist, Heidi Shoemaker, to learn the role Eastern box turtles take in seed dispersal of wildflowers. The box turtles will be munching on snacks during this program. This program will take place in the grass outside of the Earth Discovery Center unless the weather requires the box turtles remain indoors. Location A (outside)

8. 1:00 pm-3:00 pm Handmade Papermaking $10/person, limited to 10 people
Pre-registration Required www.indyparks.org (31897)
Just in time for Earth Day and Arbor Day, come learn how to make recycled paper. From pulp to product, Kahli Brown, EDC Naturalist, will help you create your own unique sheets of paper! (Please note that the paper needs to dry in place overnight and will not be ready to take home on the same day as the program.) All materials will be provided. Park gate entry fee is included with the cost of the program. Participants who are 15-17 years old need to be registered and attend with a registered adult. Location A (EDC Wet Lab)

9. 2:00 pm-3:30 pm Wildflowers and Salamanders
Meet at Lilly Lake Shelter for a hike through some of the older forest just south of the lake where an abundance of wildflower species can be found. We’ll also look for redback salamanders that live in the same habitat and learn about their fascinating life history. This hike will be family friendly. Children ages 7 and up may enjoy this hike that combines plants and animals. Distance: 1 mile, Difficulty: Easy Location C

10. 2:00 pm-4:00 pm Earth Discovery Center Big Trees Hike
Park volunteer and retired ecosystems scientist, Marty Risch, will lead you to view champion big trees of many species visible from the park trails. Learn about the Eagle Creek Park Big Tree Registry and discover how historic land use in the vicinity of Mt. Pleasant affected today’s forests. Distance: 2 miles, Difficulty: Moderate Location A

11. 2:00 pm-4:00 pm Wildflower ID Hike- OC mesic woods
Director of Stewardship with The Nature Conservancy, Tom Swinford, will lead a 1-mile hike through this diverse section of the park. The exposed bluffs are home to shooting stars, fire pink, and other ephemerals that like living on the edge! We will also explore the Beech-Maple Loop that stays moist and shaded, providing a great home for ostrich fern, spring beauties, and wood poppies. Distance: 1 mile, Difficulty: Moderate Location B

12. 4:00 pm-4:30 pm Flower Origami
Come celebrate the beauty of our park's wildflowers by learning how to make your own paper origami flowers! Watch and follow along with guided demonstrations of how to fold 3 different flower models of varying difficulties. All ages are welcome; however, the designs may be quite tricky for young children. Location A (EDC Exhibit Hall)

Sunday, April 21

13. 10:00 am-12:00 pm Wild Edibles Hike
The Indiana landscape provides a bounty of edible plants. Learn how to identify edible plants and toxic look-a-likes to aid in survival situations, expand your taste palate, and gain a better appreciation for native plants with Indy Parks naturalist, Jessica Helmbold. Distance: 1 mile, Difficulty: Moderate Location A

14. 1:00 pm -2:00 pm Birds & Blooms Hike
Join the Nawrocki Family (Ornithology Center manager and volunteers) to learn the birds of Eagle Creek and the unique relationships they have with spring wildflowers. Explore the trails around the Ornithology Center on this relaxed guided hike. Binoculars are provided for use, making this hike perfect for the whole family. Distance: 1.5 mile, Difficulty: Easy Location B

15. 2:00 pm-2:30 pm Flower Origami
Come celebrate the beauty of our park's wildflowers by learning how to make your own paper origami flowers! Watch and follow along with guided demonstrations of how to fold 3 different flower models of varying difficulties. All ages are welcome; however, the designs may be quite tricky for young children. Location A (EDC Exhibit Hall)

16. 2:00 pm- 3:30 pm Fungus ID Hike
Wildflowers are not the only thing popping up around the park in spring. Join us on a guided fungus foray with park manager Brittany Davis-Swinford. Discussion of major fungus groups, characteristics to look for in identification, and human uses will be talking points on this family-friendly hike. This hike is an educational hike and not a foraging hike. Distance: 1.5 miles, Difficulty: Moderate Location A

17. 3:00 pm-4:00 pm A Habitat for a Bat (and more!)
A family-friendly program introducing the idea of turning your yard into wildlife habitat. Dawn VanDeman, EDC Naturalist, will read Grandma Lisa’s Humming, Buzzing, Chirping Garden by Lisa Doseff. Find out what happens when Grandma Lisa begins tearing out vinca and English ivy and planting milkweed, asters, oaks and more! After the book, meet some live bats and learn how native plants can help them thrive! Participants will have the opportunity to take home a native tree seedling or native plant seeds after the program, while supplies last. Location A (EDC Exhibit Hall)

Activities going on all weekend long:
iNaturalist project – the Eagle Creek Wildflower Weekend iNaturalist project will automatically include all plant observations made within Eagle Creek Park on April 20 & 21. Go to iNaturalist.org to create an account and to download the app on your phone.
Self-guided Wildflower Hike – will be set up on the Pin Oak loop trail across from the Earth Discovery Center. Many wildflower specimens along the trail will be labeled to help with your plant identification.
Nature Centers – the Earth Discovery Center will be open to the public 10 am – 5 pm on Friday and Saturday and 1 pm – 5 pm on Sunday. Wildflower coloring sheets and scavenger hunts will be available. The Ornithology Center will be open to the public 10 am – 5 pm on Friday and Saturday and 1 pm – 5 pm on Sunday.

 

Eagle Creek Park Wildflower Weekend Program Locations
Location A- Earth Discovery Center, 5901 Delong Road, Indianapolis, IN 46254, 317-327-7148
The Earth Discovery Center is a year-round nature center with a variety of environmental education themed displays and amenities. Parking, restrooms, water fountains, park maps, and nature center staff are available from 10 am-5 pm Friday and Saturday and 1 pm-5 pm Sunday. Hikes meet in front of the building, but please keep path open for others to enter and exit the nature center. The Exhibit Hall is located on the upper level of the nature center. The Wet Lab is located on the lower level of the nature center. The EDC shelter is located on the south end of the EDC parking lot behind the Go Ape cabin.

Location B- Ornithology Center, 6515 Delong Road, Indianapolis, IN 46278, 317-327-2473
The Ornithology Center is a year-round nature center with a variety of environmental education themed displays focusing on birds. Parking, restrooms, water fountains, park maps, and nature center staff are available from 10 am-5 pm Friday and Saturday and 1 pm- 5 pm Sunday. Hikes will meet in front of the building.

Location C- Lilly Lake Shelter, Follow park signage.
Lilly Lake Shelter is a hexagon shelter with a brown roof located on the east shore of Lilly Lake with restrooms nearby. There is no drinking fountain at this location. Parking is available across the street from the shelter or in the Lilly Lake South Parking Lot.

Locations D and E are located on the west side of the reservoir. Do not enter through the 56th St. Gatehouse or the 71st St. Gatehouse for these locations.

Location D- Eagle’s Crest Nature Preserve, 7201 Fishback Rd, Indianapolis, IN 46278
There are no restrooms or water fountains available at this site. Turn in at the sign, Eagle’s Crest at Eagle Creek Park, and continue driving past opened gate. Driveway will continue through soccer fields until you arrive at additional parking and house structure.

Location E- Bear Overlook, 8600 W 56th, Indianapolis, IN 46254
There is no running water available at this site but a portalet will be available for use. Groups will gather at the Galyan’s Bear statue. There are automated gates at this location. Be prepared to scan an Eagle Creek Park Pass or use a credit card for parking when you enter this location.
Special thanks to our event partner organizations and Eagle Creek Park Volunteers!