Eagle Creek Park Wildflower Weekend - Earth Discovery Center
*The event has already taken place on this date: Sun, 04/16/2023
Join us for naturalist-led hikes and public programs for all ages at Eagle Creek Park’s 4th annual Wildflower Weekend! While attending hikes you can make your own observations or contribute to citizen science by helping document spring wildflower diversity in the park. Come prepared with appropriate shoes and clothing to hit the trails, lunches and snacks, and a water bottle to make the most of the weekend’s offerings.
Park admission is $5 for Marion County residents and $6 for out of county residents. All programs require minors to be accompanied by adults.
Pre-registration is required for some programs as noted on the schedule. Call the Earth Discovery Center (317-327-7148) with questions.
Please help us keep this calendar up to date! If this activity is sold out, canceled, or otherwise needs alteration, email mindy@kidsoutandabout.com so we can update it immediately. If you have a question about the activity itself, please contact the organization administrator listed below.
Saturday, April 15
1. 9:00 am-12:00 pm Wildflower ID Hike- The Long Hike NEW!
We have a new route this year since the entrance to Eagle’s Crest is closed. We will meet at the Hideaway retreat and hop onto the new westside trail that takes us through high quality forest adjacent to the nature preserve. Join Tom Swinford, Director of Stewardship with The Nature Conservancy, on this rugged 3-mile hike to marvel at spring ephemerals and get a sneak peak of the new westside trunk trail. Distance: 3 miles, Difficulty: Rugged Location D
1. 9:00 am-12:00 pm Wildflower ID Hike- The Long Hike NEW!
We have a new route this year since the entrance to Eagle’s Crest is closed. We will meet at the Hideaway retreat and hop onto the new westside trail that takes us through high quality forest adjacent to the nature preserve. Join Tom Swinford, Director of Stewardship with The Nature Conservancy, on this rugged 3-mile hike to marvel at spring ephemerals and get a sneak peak of the new westside trunk trail. Distance: 3 miles, Difficulty: Rugged Location D
2. 10:00 am-11:00 am Story Time on the Reservoir – The Flowers are Calling
The Flowers are Calling by Rita Gray highlights the relationships between flowers and various pollinators. 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. Free with park admission and no registration is needed. An adult must stay for the duration of the program. Location A (EDC Shelter outdoors)
The Flowers are Calling by Rita Gray highlights the relationships between flowers and various pollinators. 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. Free with park admission and no registration is needed. An adult must stay for the duration of the program. Location A (EDC Shelter outdoors)
3. 10:00 am-11:30 am 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 cutleaf toothwort, and hopefully some of our less common ones like drooping trillium. Distance: 1 mile, Difficulty: Moderate Location A
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 cutleaf toothwort, and hopefully some of our less common ones like drooping trillium. Distance: 1 mile, Difficulty: Moderate Location A
4. 10:00 am-12:00 pm Wildflower Weekend Family Canvas NEW!
Pre-registration Required www.indyparks.org (29855)
Pre-registration Required www.indyparks.org (29855)
Ornithology Center Manager, Jenna McElroy, will lead this step-by-step painting class where an adult and child will create art together on a single canvas. This program requires pre-registration and is limited to 8 adults. Each registered adult can bring 1-2 children. Cost is $25 per canvas/adult. Location B (OC Indoor Classroom)
5. 10:00 am-12:00 pm Ornithology Center Big Trees Hike NEW!
Park volunteer and retired ecosystems scientist, Marty Risch, will lead you through groves of big trees in the forest near the Ornithology Center. Learn about the Eagle Creek Big Tree Registry and meet some of the Park’s champion trees. Visit a unique forest ecosystem you may already know. Distance: 1 mile, Difficulty: Easy Location B
Park volunteer and retired ecosystems scientist, Marty Risch, will lead you through groves of big trees in the forest near the Ornithology Center. Learn about the Eagle Creek Big Tree Registry and meet some of the Park’s champion trees. Visit a unique forest ecosystem you may already know. Distance: 1 mile, Difficulty: Easy Location B
6. 12:00 pm-12:30 pm Box Turtles and Blooms NEW!
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)
7. 1:00 pm-2:00pm Let’s Stop and Taste the Flowers NEW!
Pre-registration Required www.indyparks.org (29851)
Pre-registration Required www.indyparks.org (29851)
Join Leslie Lorance, EDC Naturalist, for a native wildflower tea tasting. We’ll talk about some native wildflowers that are good for making tea, explore their medicinal histories, and sample five herbal varieties. You won’t want to miss this taste-tea gathering. This program requires pre-registration and is limited to 20 participants ages 12 and up. Adults must stay with any minors. No program fee. Location A (EDC Indoor Dry Lab)
8. 1:00 pm-2:30 pm Wildflowers and Salamanders NEW!
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
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
9. 1:00 pm-3:00 pm Earth Discovery Center Big Trees Hike NEW!
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
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
10. 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
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
Sunday, April 16
11. 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
11. 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
12. 1:00 pm-3:00 pm Wildflower ID Hike- Bear Overlook
This natural surface trail meets ADA standards but might be a little muddy in places with seasonal rain. Join Kevin Tungesvick, Senior Ecologist at Eco Logic and expert plant guide, on an easy stroll to see beautiful spring ephemerals and the largest Tulip Tree in the park. Distance: 1 mile, Difficulty: Easy Location E
This natural surface trail meets ADA standards but might be a little muddy in places with seasonal rain. Join Kevin Tungesvick, Senior Ecologist at Eco Logic and expert plant guide, on an easy stroll to see beautiful spring ephemerals and the largest Tulip Tree in the park. Distance: 1 mile, Difficulty: Easy Location E
13. 2:00 pm- 3:30 pm Fungus ID Hike
Wildflowers are not the only thing popping up around the park in spring. Join Stephen Russell from the Hoosier Mushroom Society on a guided fungus foray. 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
Wildflowers are not the only thing popping up around the park in spring. Join Stephen Russell from the Hoosier Mushroom Society on a guided fungus foray. 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
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 15 & 16. Go to iNaturalist.org to create an account or upload the app on your phone.
iNaturalist project – the Eagle Creek Wildflower Weekend iNaturalist project will automatically include all plant observations made within Eagle Creek Park on April 15 & 16. Go to iNaturalist.org to create an account or upload the app on your phone.
Youth Wildflower Art Show – local youth ages 4-17 have been invited to showcase their flower-themed artwork in the Exhibit Hall at the Earth Discovery Center. If you don’t have a chance to check it out this weekend, the show will be on display April 15 – April 29. The art show is free to enter and drop off takes place 4/8-4/10. Pick up is 4/30-5/1. Call the Earth Discovery Center (317-327-7148) or visit www.indyparks.org and search 29349 for more details.
Native Plants for Sale - at the Earth Discovery Center, starts at 10:00 am Saturday - until sold out.
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 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 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 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 EDC shelter is located on the south end of the EDC parking lot behind the GoAPE cabin. The Dry Lab is located on the lower level of the nature center.
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 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 EDC shelter is located on the south end of the EDC parking lot behind the GoAPE cabin. The Dry Lab is located on the lower level of the nature center.
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 Saturday and 1 pm- 5 pm Sunday. Hikes will meet in front of the building.
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 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.
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 Hideaway, 8901 W. 65th Street, Indianapolis, IN 46278
The retreat building will be open for restrooms before and after the hike. If traveling on Raceway Rd., turn east at the stop signs at 65th St. and go through the open gate. Continue to drive on 65th until you see the entrance to the Hideaway parking on your right. Park in the parking lot and meet near the retreat center. There is no gate fee to enter this location.
The retreat building will be open for restrooms before and after the hike. If traveling on Raceway Rd., turn east at the stop signs at 65th St. and go through the open gate. Continue to drive on 65th until you see the entrance to the Hideaway parking on your right. Park in the parking lot and meet near the retreat center. There is no gate fee to enter this location.
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 exit this location.
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 exit this location.
Special thanks to our event partner organizations and Eagle Creek Park Volunteers!
*Times, dates, and prices of any activity posted to our calendars are subject to change. Please be sure to click through directly to the organization’s website to verify.
Organization:
Earth Discovery CenterLocation:
5901 Delong Rd
Indianapolis, IN, 46254United States
See map: Google Maps
Phone:
317-327-7148Contact name:
Earth Discovery Center
Email address:
The event has already taken place on this date:
04/16/2023
Time:
9:00AM-5:00PM
Price:
See Website
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