June 2016 - Eagle Creek Park Foundation

June 2016
Eagle Creek Park Volunteer News
“Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can
change the world. Indeed, it’s the only thing that ever has.”
—Margaret Mead
Parks on the Park
Volunteer
By Janice Parks, Volunteer Coordinator—First of all, best wishes to all for a
Opportunities
SUPER SUMMER!
Bringing people
From January through April, we have brought on board and I have given oriand nature
entations to twenty-three (23) NEW volunteers. We are especially focusing on
together!
the need for those who are willing to be trained in helping with structured hikes

Nature
Guide
for school groups and the public, assisting with specific programs/events, being
 Run/walk events—Iron Eagle Paddle &
docents in the exhibit rooms, and helping to cover our front desks/phones.
Run, July 23
Volunteer Log-in Sheets are available in the EDC Volunteer Room, the OC
 Art shows
Volunteer Room, the Park Office next to my desk, and also at the former Educa Gardening
tion Outreach building/old Ranger Station—you may choose any of those loca Indoor maintenance
tions to log your hours regardless of where you did your volunteering activity
 Outdoor maintenance
since it all goes into the computer database. However, we do want you to log
 Rubbish Busters
your volunteer hours no later than two weeks after you volunteered and we ask
Discovery Center weekend
you to do this personally yourself instead of calling them in. The EDC and OC  Earth
staffing
are typically open seven days a week. BE SPECIFIC—if rubbish busting (RB)  Historians
then list the location, if assisting with gardening then simply put a “G”—the Log  Bulletin boards
-in Sheets give examples.
 Team leaders
As long as you are maintaining and have logged twelve (12) volunteer hours  Coffee Talks—first Wednesdays
within the past twelve (12) months, then your six month volunteer park pass  Project organizers
will automatically be renewed by the computer (for July-December 2016) and
 Newsletter production
there is no need for you to get another pass. If you have not logged the minimum
 Special events—Fishing Derby, June 4;
amount of hours, then your volunteer pass will be deactivated. Please keep in Garden Tour, June 11; Nature Play
Day, June 18
mind that for the 2017 volunteer park
pass, there are new hour requirements
and you will need to have put in at least twenty (20) volunteer
hours to be eligible in the new year. Let me know if you have
any questions.
It is truly a delight for me to be with and around such a
great group of volunteers! Tom Brokaw, TV newscaster, has
been quoted as saying “It’s easy to make a buck. It’s a lot
tougher to make a difference.” You volunteers make a difference in nature and in the lives of those who visit Eagle Creek
Park—THANK YOU!
April 2016 Cummins volunteer group
June 4—EC Park Foundation Kids Fishing Derby
Volunteers, we can use your help! To sign up, please call or email the Foundation’s current
president, Alex Upchurch, at 752-5047 or aupchurch@perq.com.
This fun day welcomes children ages 4-14 to participate along with families and larger youth
or church groups, at no cost. All children must be supervised by an adult or group leader. Participants receive a goody bag, bait, and a cookout lunch. There will be a limited number of fishing poles available to borrow on a first-come, first-served basis. This year it will be at a new
location in the park—Lilly Lake.
June 11—EC Park Foundation Inaugural Garden Tour
Lion's Tails, Tiger Lillies, and Bear's Breeches Oh My! ... Follow a horticultural path of beauty as The
Eagle Creek Park Foundation proudly presents its inaugural Garden Tour! Highlights include a Reservoir waterfront with a classic British heritage, a whimsical Brownsburg hideaway, a woodland gem nestled deep inside West 86th, and a professional design by Eagle Creek Nursery in the Golden Hill neighborhood. The tour's centerpiece is Eagle Creek Park's world-class nature center: the Earth Discovery
Center. Maintained and hosted by Eagle Creek Park's volunteer gardeners, the EDC features a native
prairie entrance, butterfly garden, and a geothermal pond.
Ticket proceeds will benefit the Eagle Creek Park Foundation in an effort to support future park projects! This tour is self guided and all attendees will receive a map prior to the date of the event.
Tickets are $20 for the general public and $15 for foundation members. More information and
ticket purchasing can be found at http://eaglecreekpark.org/event/garden-tour/.
Over 60 volunteers are needed for two hour shifts to take/sell tickets, as garden guides, etc. at the five
sites to be featured on the tour. Those who volunteer for four hours or more will be given free admission
to all gardens. Volunteers will be notified of site locations and given further instructions the week prior
to the tour. If there are any questions, you may contact Foundation board member, Karen Bumb Lauer
at Karen.bumb.lauer@gmail.com. Please go to the following Sign-Up Genius website to volunteer by
clicking on this link: http://www.signupgenius.com/go/30e0448aaaf2ea6fd0-eagle.
June 18—Nature Play Day
By Dawn Van Deman, EDC Manager—Hello volunteers! Hope everyone is enjoying the beautiful
spring! We’re busy making preparations for summer, and one of our events at the Earth Discovery Center is going to be a Nature Play Day, Saturday June 18th. Nature Play Days are sponsored by the Indiana Children and Nature Network, and encourage kids and families to get outside and have fun in nature during the week of June 11-June 19. That is a super busy week for us, but we’d like to have some
simple, ongoing activities at the EDC that Saturday. I’m looking for folks to lead nature hikes and monitor pond scooping throughout the day. Keep in mind, since these
would be free walk-in programs, there could be anywhere from no
one at all to lots and lots of visitors showing up (depends a lot on
the weather), and afternoons are likely to be busier than mornings.
I’ve got a sign-up sheet in the blue notebook at the EDC front
desk, or feel free to email me (dvandema@indy.gov) with the time
and activity you’d like to help with. We love watching kids and
families getting outside and having fun!
By Jenna McElroy, OC Naturalist—The OC will also need volunteers. To volunteer at the OC, please contact me by email
(jenna.nawrocki@indy.gov) or phone (317-327-BIRD) or come into Invasive Species Strike Team with Brenthe OC to sign up!
da Howard on 5-14-16
Page 2
Eagle Creek Park Volunteer News
June 2016
Sun
5 IDNR Free
Mon
Tue
6
7
Fishing Day
Thu
1:30 FT 2:30 FF
12 Dulcimer F 13 10 Family 14
Fishing & Birdwatching
4FreeFishng Dy
9:30 Gardeners
4 Meet a Raptor
8 Fishing Derby
4 Meet a Raptor
1:30 N D 2:30 FF
6:30 Concert
Night Marathon
8
9
10
11 Triathlon
4 Meet a Raptor
Dulcimer Festival
4 Meet a Raptor
Garden Tour
6:30 Concert
1:30 N D 2:30 FF
15
16
9 Gardeners
4 Meet a Raptor
2:30 Feathrd Fun
6:30 Concert
21
Sat
3
1:30 Feeding time
19 9 Birdwalk 20
Fri
1 8:30 Coffee 2
9 Gardeners
9 Birdwalk
9 Birdwalk
Wed
22
1:30 Feeding time
9 Gardeners
2:30 Feathrd Fun
4 Meet a Raptor
17
4 Meet a Raptor
18 10 Nature
Play Day
1:30 Nature Disc
2:30 Feathrd Fun
23
24
25
4 Meet a Raptor
1:30 Nature Disc
2:30 Feathrd Fun
6:30 Concert
26 1/2 Mara- 27
thon 9 Birdwalk
28
29
30
9 Gardeners
1:30 Feeding time
4 Meet a Raptor
2:30 Feathrd Fun
6:30 Concert
Coffee Talk
Wednesday, June 1, 8:30 am, EDC
Brenda Howard, Senior Ecologist, DPW-Land Stewardship
"Taking Care of Nature: Natural Areas Management at Eagle Creek Park"
With hundreds of acres of natural area within the park, how do we preserve and restore these precious resources? Why should we care? What if
we do nothing? This is a look into the decision making processes and management decisions involved in doing ecological restoration work at
Eagle Creek Park.
Eagle Creek Park Volunteer News
Page 3
July 2016
Sun
Mon
Tue
Wed
Thu
Fri
Sat
1
2
4 Meet a Raptor
1:30 Nature Disc
2:30 Feathrd Fun
3 9 Birdwalk
4 HOLIDAY
5
6 8:30 Coffee
7
1:30 Feeding time EDC & OC
9:30 Gard 4 Rapt
2:30 Feathrd Fun
6:30 Concert
CLOSED
10 9 Birdwalk 11
9 Trail Run
4 Meet a Raptor
1:30 Nature Disc
2:30 Feathrd Fun
139 Gardenrs 14
15
16 Triathlon
1:30 Feeding time
4 Meet a Raptor
4 Meet a Raptor
1:30 Nature Disc
2:30 Feathrd Fun
6:30 Concert
17 9 Birdwalk 18
12
8
20 9 Gardenrs 21
22
23 Iron Eagle
1:30 Feeding time
4 Meet a Raptor
4 Meet a Raptor
1:30 Nature Disc
2:30 Feathrd Fun
6:30 Concert
24 9 Birdwalk 25
19
2:30 Feathrd Fun
26
2:30 Feathrd Fun
27 9 Gardenrs 28
29
30 Marathon
1:30 Feeding time
4 Meet a Raptor
4 Meet a Raptor
1:30 Nature Disc
2:30 Feathrd Fun
6:30 Concert
2:30 Feathrd Fun
31 9 Birdwalk
Summer Concerts—Wednesdays, 6:30 pm at the Marina
1:30 Feeding time
June 1—Hogeye Navvy
2:30 Feathrd Fun
June 8—Rob Dixon Quartet
June 15—Jessy Lacey
Coffee Talk
June 22—Queen Delphine & The Crown Jewels
June 29—Blackberry Jam—The Folk Band
Wednesday, July 6
8:30 am, EDC
July 6—Gospel Jazz Experience
Topic TBA
July 20—Gary Walters & Friends
July 13—Achilles Tenderloin
July 27—New Augusta Bluegrass Band
Page 4
Eagle Creek Park Volunteer News
Volunteers needed for Summer Day Camps
By Janice Parks, Volunteer Coordinator—We are looking for volunteers to assist during the Summer Day Camps at Eagle Creek Park which start weekly May 31st through July 29th. These are being
held at both the Earth Discovery Center (EDC) and the Ornithology Center (OC).
The EDC staff would like to have someone who is available to help with our youngest campers ages 45 Monday-Friday from 2 pm-4 pm during the Animal Explorers July 25-29 camp. Please let Leah know
if you would like to help or if you would like more details.
Volunteers are also needed to help with activities such as canoeing, GoApe, fishing, and archery for
campers. There will be sign-up sheets at the EDC but if you are interested in helping with any of these
activities please let Leah know: Contact Leah Frenzel at the EDC: Phone: 327-1196 Front Desk:
327-7148 or email her at leah.frenzel@indy.gov.
To volunteer at the OC, please contact Jenna McElroy by email (jenna.nawrocki@indy.gov) or phone
(317) 327-BIRD or come into the OC to sign up!
Camps at the EDC
May 31-June 3:
Camps at the OC
9 am-11am, 2-4 pm Ages 4-5
11:30 am-4:30 pm Ages 6-7
June 6-10:
9 am-4 pm Ages 8-9
9 am-noon, 1-4 pm Ages 4-5
June 13-17:
9 am-4 pm Ages 10-12
9 am-2 pm Ages 6-8
June 20-24:
9 am-11am, 2-4 pm Ages 4-5
9 am-4 pm Ages 9-11
11:30 am-4:30 pm Ages 6-7
June 27-July 1:
9 am-4 pm Ages 8-9
July 5-8:
9 am-4 pm Ages 12-15
July 11-15:
9 am-4 pm Ages 8-9
July 18-22:
9 am-4 pm Ages 10-12
9 am-4 pm Ages 12-15
9-11 am Ages 4-5
12:30-4:30 pm Ages 6-8
July 25-29:
9 am-11am, 2-4 pm Ages 4-5
9 am-4 pm Ages 9-11
11:30 am-4:30 pm Ages 6-7
Iron Eagle Paddle & Run—Saturday, July 23
For the fourth consecutive year, the Eagle Creek Park Foundation is
hosting its Iron Eagle Paddle & Run adventure race on Saturday, July
23 at Eagle Creek Park. All proceeds raised will benefit the nonprofit’s
mission to promote, preserve, protect and enhance Eagle Creek Park
through trail restoration projects, park improvements and youth environmental education programs. Last year, the race raised $7,800. The
race takes athletes of all ages on a 2.5-mile trail run, 1.5-mile paddle in a
kayak or canoe, then 3.5-mile trail run through the east side of the park.
The format mimics a Figure 8, and will utilize the beach as a central hub
and transition area - a spot where spectators can cheer on racers.
Eagle Creek Park Volunteer News
April 2016 Volunteers painting
Hobie Beach posts
Page 5
Eagle Creek Park
5901 Delong Rd.
Indianapolis, IN 46254
Earth Discovery Center Phone: 317-327-7148
Ornithology Center Phone: 317-327-BIRD (2473)
Park Office Phone: (317) 327-7110
Volunteer Coordinator Phone: (317) 327-7123
EDC Hours: Mon-Sat 9-5, Sun 1-5
OC Hours: Mon-Sat 9-5, Sun 1-5
Park Office Hours: Mon-Fri, 9-5
MISSION STATEMENT
Our mission is to educate and inspire our community to
actively participate with our natural environment.
International Bird Day Volunteers
Eagle Creek Park Staff
Brittany Davis Swinford, Senior Manager
Dawn Van Deman, Manager, EDC
Kevin Carlsen, Manager, OC
Shilah Larison, Mgr, Beach/Boat
Ramp/Gates
Joe Schmid, Manager, Trails
Jennifer Boyce, Naturalist
Gordon Schmidt & Karen Rose
Leah Frenzel, Naturalist
Happy Birthday to:
Maggie Jaicomo, Naturalist
Mallory Kirby, Naturalist
Mike & Pat Saunders
June 1—Jason Goldsmith,
Jenna McElroy, Naturalist
Emme Sanborn,
Janice Parks, Volunteer Coordinator
Bradley Swick
June 23—Sandy Burrow,
Tracy Swanson
June 26—Anne Gaddy
Jenny Love, PO Customer Service Rep
June 2—Carmen D’Andrea
June 30—Thom Heeter
Dan Neeley, PO Customer Service Rep
June 3—Bill Neureiter
July 3—Toni Robbins
ECP Shop at the EDC
Volunteers get 20% off!
June 5—Carole Cole, Sandy Delong
July 11—Brandon Fuller
June 9—John Pankhurst
July 17—Shirley Gates
June 10—Wayne Bivans,
July 25—Linda Gibson
Beth Frailey
July 26—Amy Houston
View Newsletter online
at:http://www.eaglecreekdiscovery.org
/home/volunteers/newsletter
June 11—Janice Parks
July 27—Ted Gruenhagen
June 17—Nancy Bush
July 29—Les Eigenbrod,
Deadline for Next Issue: July 23
June 19—Dalva Miller
July 30—Bob Hargate
Natalie Nicholls, Newsletter Editor
June 21—Carol Barber,
July 31—Sue Arnold,
Email: nanicho@comcast.net
June 18—Liz Uhls
Rhonda Cosby
Donna McCarty
Joshua Saoner