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2022 Wildflower Weekend at Eagle Creek Park

Join us for naturalist-led hikes and public programs for all ages at Eagle Creek Park’s third annual Wildflower Weekend! While attending hikes you can make your own observations or contribute to citizen science by helping us 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 in county residents and $6 for out of county residents. All programs require minors to be accompanied by adults.

Friday, April 22
1. 10:00 a.m.- 12:00 p.m. Earth Day Garlic Mustard Pull– Peace Learning Center Celebrate Earth Day by helping to remove exotic invasive plants from our park woodlands. Join Jacob Brinkman, Ecologist with DPW Land Stewardship, at the Peace Learning Center to eradicate garlic mustard before it goes to seed. Not sure what it looks like? No problem! We will show you when you arrive. This plant is easy to pull out by hand so no special equipment is required. Please wear long sleeves, pants, work gloves, sturdy shoes, and bring water. We will provide trash bags and some extra gloves. Restrooms will be available. Gate fees are waived for those volunteering at this event. Location – Peace Learning Center, 6040 Delong Rd.

Saturday, April 23

2. 9:00 a.m.-11:00 a.m. Wildflower ID Hike- Eagle’s Crest Nature Preserve
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 Assistant Director of DNR Division of Nature Preserves, Tom Swinford, on this 1.75-mile rugged hike through a vast display of Virginia Bluebells and other spring beauties. Distance: 1.75 mile, Difficulty: Rugged Location C

3. 10:00 a.m.-11:30 a.m. Introduction to Wildflowers Hike- Cabin Trail
Garfield Park Manager, Fritz Nerding, 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 like 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 a.m.-12:00 p.m. Accessible & Inclusive Birds & Blooms Hike
Pre-registration Required www.indyparks.org (27640) OC Naturalist, Sam Newkirk, will lead an accessible and inclusive hike to look for birds and wildflowers. Van-accessible parking will be available, information packets & resources for further learning will be provided, and the pace of the tour will be adjusted to suit everyone's needs. The Eagle's Crest rental facility has ramps and restrooms. Please reach out with any specific accommodation needs you have, we are glad you are interested in this event and will see to it that you are welcomed and accommodated! You may contact the Ornithology Center by calling (317)-327-2473, or email Samuel.Newkirk@indy.gov with any questions. This program requires pre-registration and is capped at 25 participants. Distance: 1 mile, Difficulty: Easy/Paved Trail Location C

5. 10:00 a.m.-11:00 a.m. Story Time on the Reservoir – Wake up, Woods Pre-registration Required www.indyparks.org (27500) The book, Wake Up, Woods, and the activities will celebrate wildflowers in honor of our weekend-long event. Heidi Shoemaker, EDC Naturalist, has a variety of activities for children ages 2-6 to make art, play, and meet a box turtle. Free with park admission and pre-registration. An adult must stay for the duration of the program. Location A (EDC Shelter outdoors)

6. 2:00 p.m.-4:00 p.m. Wildflower ID hike- OC mesic woods Assistant Director of DNR Division of Nature Preserves, 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

7. 2:00 p.m.-4:00 p.m. 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 wildflowers that we encounter along the way. Distance: 1 mile, Difficulty: Easy Location A

Wildflower Weekend Evening Social (SOLD OUT)
8. 5:00 p.m. – 6:30 p.m. Earth Discovery Center Outdoor Deck $6 per ticket, limited to 30 spots Pre-registration is Required: tinyurl.com/wildflowersocial22 Let’s get together and talk about wildflowers and hopefully enjoy some nice weather. We will give a short update on our species count so far and any additional highlights being seen throughout the hikes. Beverages and snacks will be provided by the Eagle Creek Park Foundation, including some beer and wine. Registration is now open and will close once spaces are sold out. Location A

Sunday, April 24

9. 10:30 a.m.- 12:30 p.m. Wildflower ID Hike- Bear Overlook
Check out our newest hiking trail! We have added this one mile loop trail as part of the new westside trail system. 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 and the largest Tulip Tree in the park. Distance: 1 mile, Difficulty: Easy Location D

10. 1:00 p.m.-3:00 p.m. Wildflower ID Hike- Eagle’s Crest Nature Preserve
If you missed this hike on Saturday, or just really love this special place, join us for another hike through Eagle’s Crest Nature Preserve. Join Kevin Tungesvick, Senior Ecologist at Eco Logic and expert plant guide, on this 1.75-mile rugged trail. This is an exceptional site for many spring ephemerals and one of the most special places in Indianapolis. Distance: 1.75 mile, Difficulty: Rugged Location C

11. 2:00 p.m.- 3:30 p.m. Fungus ID Hike Wildflowers are not the only thing popping up around the park in spring. Join Hoosier Mushroom Society hike leaders 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 identification hike. Distance: 1.5 mile, 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 23 & 24. 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 16 – April 30. The art show is free to enter and drop off takes place 4/9-4/10. Pick up is 5/1-5/2. Call the Earth Discovery Center (317-327-7148) for more details.

Native Plants for Sale - at the Earth Discovery Center, starts at 10:00 a.m. 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 10:00 – 5:00 on Saturday and 1:00 – 5:00 on Sunday. Wildflower coloring sheets and scavenger hunts will be available. The Ornithology Center will be open to the public 10:00 – 5:00 on Saturday and 1:00 – 5:00 on Sunday.

Eagle Creek Park Wildflower Weekend Program Locations
Location A- Earth Discovery Center, 5901 Delong Road, Indianapolis, IN 45654, 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 a.m.-5 p.m. Saturday and 1 p.m.-5 p.m. 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.
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 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Saturday and 1 p.m.- 5 p.m. Sunday.
Locations C and D are located on the west side of the reservoir. There are no restrooms or water fountains available at these sites. There are no gatehouses or fees to enter locations C and D during this event.
Location C- 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 through the open gate. Driveway will continue through soccer fields until you arrive at additional parking and house structure.
Location D- Bear Overlook, 8600 W 56th, Indianapolis, IN 46254
There are no restrooms or water fountains available at this site. Group will gather at the Galyan’s Bear statue.

Special thanks to our event partner organizations and Eagle Creek Park Volunteers!

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