Eagle Creek Park celebrates 50 years

Eagle Creek Park is celebrating its 50th anniversary Friday.

The park was officially dedicated on June 10, 1972 and has since become a popular destination with 1.3 million people visiting in 2021.

In addition to recreational and fitness activities, the park offers educational programs at two nature centers – the Earth Discovery Center and the Ornithology Center – with experiences for youth and adults. 

Ornithology Center Manager Will Schaust said the park is one of the largest city parks in the nation.

“We have about 1,400 acres of reservoir, aquatic habitat and we have about 3,900 acres of terrestrial habitat and even within those we vary in wetland, prairie and forest,” Schaust said.

Celebration activities include a free concert, volunteer recognition ceremony and food concessions. Friday’s activities will begin at 4 p.m. and include a volunteer recognition ceremony and a free concert with performances by Indianapolis bands Wife Patrol and The Brothers Footman. Food concessions will be available as well.

Park officials have also planned a full year of activities and challenges in honor of the milestone.

The seven challenges include:

• 50 Visits: visit Eagle Creek Park at least 50 times
• 50 Miles: hike, run, bike, paddle, or ride at least 50 miles in the park
• 50 Species: identify 50 different species of birds, plants, insects, or any wildlife
• 50 Photos: take 50 photos in the park
• 50 _____: Create Your Own challenge
• 50 Dollars: donate or raise $50 for the Eagle Creek Park Foundation
• 50 Hours: volunteer 50 hours at the park in 2022 and receive a special button or patch

Visitors are encouraged to complete a challenge and come to the Park Office, Earth Discovery Center, or Ornithology Center with proof to earn a free commemorative sticker.

A 50th Anniversary Challenge Journal is available for purchase to track and remember your 2022 Eagle Creek Park adventures, and keep the commemorative stickers. The journal also has a list of 50 park activity ideas.

Park officials also created the hashtag #ECP50th on social media to showcase the anniversary and is encouraging visitors to share their experiences on Facebook and Instagram – @eaglecreekpark_indy.