City: Indianapolis, IN

Category: Parks & Recreation

Telephone: (317) 327-7110

Address: 7840 W. 56th St.

Description: One of the largest municipal parks in the nation, Eagle Creek Park is only 10 minutes from downtown. Bought by J. K. Lilly of the Lilly pharmaceutical family in 1936 as a nature preserve, the property was given to Purdue University in the late 1950s. When the university could no longer maintain it, the land was sold to the City of Indianapolis. An earthen dam was built to control flooding, and the result is the popular Eagle Creek of today. Located southwest of the city, Eagle Creek Park has 3,900 acres of park and 1,400 acres of water, offering a wealth of recreational opportunities.A one-acre ecology pond, five-acre Lilly Lake, and skating ponds also are located within the park. Open May to Sept, the Eagle Creek Park Marina is the center of water activities such as sailing, canoeing, and rowboat rentals. Sailing lessons, board sailing, bait, and concessions also are available, along with boat rides on the reservoir. Open May to Aug, the Eagle Creek Park Beach features a sandy beach and grassy sunbathing area. A volleyball court, lifeguards on duty, concessions, and a clothes-check area are available. Open year-round from dawn to dusk, Eagle Creek Park features more than 10 miles of trails in a serene setting with wonderful views of the glistening reservoir. Six major trails along with additional trails located at the Nature Center wind throughout the park and are easy to moderate in difficulty. Natural and gravel paths lead through mature woods filled with beech, maple, tulip, white ash, and black cherry trees into open meadow areas and past the reservoir and Lilly Lake. Along the way, walkers will find bridges, steps, and a few steep hills. A fitness trail provides a vigorous hike with 20 exercise stations and a total of 32 exercises. Signs explain each exercise, along with how to monitor your heart rate. A year-round Volksmarch steps off on a scenic 10-kilometer trail, where walkers can earn IVV (Internationaler Volkssportverband) credit by completing the walk. The Eagle Creek Park Nature Center was formerly J. K. Lilly’s personal library. The Nature Center Complex also includes Lilly Lodge and a reflecting pool. Offering a variety of outdoor educational programs, the Nature Center includes interpretive walks, live animal programs, and outreach programs. The center contains numerous nature games and displays. Also within the complex are self-guided trails, a 600-year-old Douglas fir log, a beech tree where Daniel Boone etched a bear print, native wildflowers, hummingbird and butterfly gardens, and an aquatic garden. Eagle Creek houses a variety of woodland animals, 260 species of birds, nearly 400 species of flowering plants, and 101 varieties of trees. Located north of the Nature Center, Lilly Lodge overlooks the reservoir and is used for wildlife and nature art shows. Additional amenities include shelter and retreat houses, a world-class archery field, shooting range, restaurants, Bark Park, sailboat club, concession stands, fishing areas, picnic areas, boat ramp and slips, pistol and archery range and cross-country skiing when there is enough snow.