ABOUT US

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PROMOTE. PRESERVE. PROTECT. ENHANCE.

Eagle Creek Park Foundation was established by the Eagle Creek Park Advisory Committee in 1979 as a nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization. 

The Foundation’s mission is to promote, preserve, protect, and enhance Eagle Creek Park.

With your support, we provide financial and volunteer resources above and beyond limited city funding to support essential park projects and programs.

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MISSION

Eagle Creek Park Foundation’s mission is to promote, preserve, protect and enhance Eagle Creek Park.

PROMOTE

PRESERVE

PROTECT

ENHANCE

OUR STORY: EAGLE CREEK PARK FOUNDATION

Shortly after the park opened it became apparent that the limiting budget from city taxes forced the parks department to make difficult decisions on how to best use those funds. “

That’s when members of the Eagle Creek Park Advisory Committee recognized the need for a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization to help raise money for unfunded park projects, and formed the Eagle Creek Park Foundation.

The Foundation’s mission is to promote, preserve, protect, and enhance Eagle Creek Park.

With community support, we provide financial and volunteer resources above and beyond limited city funding to support essential park projects and programs.

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PROJECTS

Since 2001, the Eagle Creek Park Foundation has funded over $5 million into projects and programs throughout the park via donations, grants, bequests, and other contributions.  Here are some of the projects that your support made possible:

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Bilingual Naturalist

Funded in 2024 to deliver monthly bilingual programming at no additional cost to visitors

Carlsen Aviary

Carlsen Aviary

Funded and opened in 2023 to support the raptor ambassadors at the Ornithology Center.

Students participating in an outdoor educational activity near a pond, observing and interacting with the water environment.

Geothermal Pond

The new addition adds another dimension to the Earth Discovery Center’s robust programming by creating an educational habitat adjacent to the building, which allows for a new, accessible, and immersive pond study program.

Earth Discovery Center

Earth Discovery Center

The Foundation sought to design a new Earth Discovery Center to better serve youth, and anyone else interested in learning more about nature and science during their visit to the park.

Live outdoor music performance featuring a band on stage with audience seated on lawn chairs in a park setting.

MARINA CONCERT STAGE

Eagle Creek Park’s “Jazz on the Point” music series at the Marina first gained popularity in 2006, so naturally we wanted to see it become a permanent music venue complete with a central stage to facilitate musicians. Park staff and volunteers assisted us with the construction, and the stage is also available to rent as well.

Nature Center

Nature Center

With the assistance of generous grants from Amos Butler Audubon Society, Nature Center & Sanctuary, Nina Mason Pulliam Charitable Trust and Wild Birds Unlimited, the Foundation provided funding for all supplies needed (except for carpet) to completely renovate the old Feldman Nature Center into the Eagle Creek Ornithology Center.

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Fitness Trail Renovation

The Foundation provided $9,200 (half of the total cost) to replace the 20 old exercise stations with new equipment, along with signage supplied by Indy Parks.

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Raptor Training

The Foundation sent Ornithology Center Naturalists Anne Cecere and Brittany Davis to a four-day raptor training program Oct. 8–11, 2013 at the well-known University of Minnesota Raptor Center in St. Paul, Minnesota.

Reed Drive directional sign with maintenance information and two individuals discussing near a bicycle at a park entrance.

Directional Signage

The park’s 27-year-old signs needed to be replaced, so we supplied Indy Parks with $15,000 to order and install newer sturdier signage for visitors.

Outdoor Migration Game

Outdoor Migration Game

The Ornithology Center hosts a variety of programs in the classroom, but naturalists wanted to design an interactive experience for youth by building an outdoor migration game.

ANNUAL REPORT

2023 Annual Report

As you visit the park, you will probably notice some of our bigger funding accomplishments this year, all thanks to our donors and partnership with Indy Parks.

These projects truly embody what can be achieved when people come together with common goals and shared resources to make our community better for all.

  • Carlsen Aviary at Ornithology Center
  • Orange Trail Bridge reconstruction project
  • New AV equipment at Earth Discovery Center
  • Westside Trail parking lot upgrades

Thank you for helping us grow and achieve more for all park visitors. I look forward to continuing to work with you on our mission to Promote, Preserve, Protect, and Enhance Eagle Creek Park.

                                       Meghan Mustin

                                       Executive Director

PARK HISTORY

As a formal recognition, we acknowledge with respect that the land we currently occupy is the traditional territory of the MiamiPotawatomi, and Shawnee peoples. We express our honor and deep respect towards the Indigenous communities for their exceptional care of this land for generations, while enduring historical and ongoing injustices with unwavering resilience. We endeavor to work towards reconciliation, and to uphold the voices and sovereignty of Indigenous peoples as a fundamental commitment towards building equitable and inclusive communities.

EAGLE CREEK PARK, 1970

The Eagle Creek reservoir was built to provide flood control, drinking water, and recreational opportunities and to preserve the natural landscape within the ever-growing Circle City.

Eagle Creek Park has a wide variety of facilities and programs, including two nature centers (the Earth Discovery Center and the Ornithology Center), a swimming beach, a marina, hiking trails, playgrounds, canine companion zone, picnic shelters, and much more!

To learn more about the history of Eagle Creek Park, check out this great article  from IndyEncyclopedia.org, the Eagle Creek Park Wikipedia Page, the Eagle Creek Park History Facebook page, explore the interactive map below, or download the History of Eagle Creek Park PDF!

EAGLE CREEK PARK HISTORY MAP

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THE TEAM

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Meghan Mustin

Executive Director

 

Meghan Mustin has worked in the Parks and Recreation field for over 25 years in almost every department except aquatics.

Contact Meghan

 

MORE ABOUT MEGHAN

She started as a seasonal maintenance worker at Kickapoo State Park in Illinois then graduated from Western Illinois University with a degree in Recreation, Park, and Tourism Administration.

In her 20’s and full of energy, she tried many positions at the Champaign Park District, often at the same time. These included: Camp Director at Douglass Community Center, Cultural Arts Coordinator, Adult Sports Supervisor, Preschool teacher, and After School Enrichment Director.

One dreaded Februrary, she got snowed in and told her dad, “Mark my words, I will not spend another Winter here.” Within a month she packed her car with the essentials including her dog and moved to Arizona. She spent seven years there, running an after-school program for grades K-5 before returning to the Midwest and landing in the Indianapolis area.

Quickly after working in the parks and recreation field in Indiana, Meghan realized the funding discrepancies compared to other states. She began to take fundraising courses to better serve our community. This next step in her career has really become her passion in the Parks and Recreation field. She often tells people her favorite days are when budget approvals are made that eliminate barriers so that ALL can enjoy the benefits that parks have to offer.

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Adam Hibshman

Marketing & Program Mgr.

 

Adam is a former physics and astronomy teacher with a life-long love of learning and the outdoors.

Contact ADAM

 

MORE ABOUT ADAM

Adam Hibshman was born and raised in Elkhart, Indiana where he spent most of his early life outdoors playing sports, hiking, fishing, canoeing, and exploring the streams and rivers of northern Indiana with his father and brothers. All this outdoor adventure led to Adam’s strong sense of conservation of the environment and its natural resources. 

Adam moved to Indianapolis to study Physics and Middle/Secondary education at Butler University. While at Butler, he worked as a public tour guide at the J.I. Holcomb Observatory & Planetarium for more than 2 years.  As a tour guide, he worked with space enthusiasts of all ages, and developed a passion for science communication and storytelling. 

After graduating from Butler Adam taught high school physics, astronomy, mathematics, and Earth Science for eight and a half years in Indianapolis before leaving the classroom. For seven of those summers Adam helped lead a camping and hiking trip to Colorado with Indiana students with his father, who led trips himself for 35 years. During his career as an educator (in and out of the classroom), Adam focused on making science accessible and meaningful for all students through storytelling.

Adam has thoroughly enjoyed the new challenge of working for a nonprofit in Marketing and Programs. He’s been able to combine his love of both nature and storytelling to educate the public about the Foundation’s mission both in the Park and online. He especially enjoys connecting with Indy Parks Staff to tell stories about the Foundation’s impact on the amazing natural resource that is Eagle Creek Park, as well as the experiences of park goers and Foundation members who cherish Eagle Creek Park. 

Adam is supported by his wife, Jenny, and their 2 cats, Ted and Earl. Adam enjoys writing, hiking, cycling, rock climbing, and spending time outdoors. 

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Natasha Rott

Office Manager

 

A lifelong nature lover and educator, Natasha shares her passion for nature, early learning, and community bonds.

Contact Natasha

More about Natasha

Natasha Rott grew up in northern Indiana in a home surrounded by woods, which became one of her dearest friends. She spent many of her days having adventures in them, making friends with the trees and wildlife and searching for fairy circles. She also was fortunate enough to have a dad that worked for the airlines, which allowed their family of 6 to travel and explore many natural, wild places throughout the states together.  

After high school, Natasha studied education and psychology at I.U. for a while but then picked up and moved to see the wild places of New Mexico, where she taught preschool for many years, bringing her love of nature with her. She taught her pupils through nature exploration, science, reading and storytelling. She believes that natural places are one of the greatest gifts we have. Through connecting with the outdoors, we learn about science & history, we are given the gift of beauty, we learn how all life is interconnected, we are given places to exercise and enjoy, and we receive a little mental health nature therapy all at the same time.  

Once she decided to start a family, she moved back to Indianapolis, where she continued to teach until her daughter was born. Eagle Creek Park soon became one of their new favorite places to experience nature together. Natasha took a job working at the gatehouses and park office for Eagle Creek for 8 years. When she heard that there was an opening to be part of the Foundation’s mission, she jumped at the chance. Appreciating the gift that is Eagle Creek Park, she feels very fortunate to be part of the team that strives to keep the park a natural, accessible place to be enjoyed by the community.  

In her spare time, Natasha enjoys having adventures with her loved ones. Of course, her favorite ones continue to be the outdoor adventures, where she still searches for those ever-elusive fairy circles.  

THE BOARD

Eagle Creek Park Foundation Executive Committee

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Meghan Mustin

Executive Director

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Andrew Keeler

President

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Tabitha Klem

Vice President

Glenda Hernandez

Secretary

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Karen Klimowitch

Treasurer

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Emily Storm-Smith

Ex-Officio

Eagle Creek Park Foundation BOARD OF DIRECTORS

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Joshua Astin

Member

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Lou Ann Baker

Member

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Brent Barta

Member

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Luke Brahm

Member

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Joe Brinkman

Member

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Anne Marie Christian

Member

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Bernie Cinkoske

Member

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Jason Cookson

Member

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Stephen Cranfill

Member

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Mike Francis

Member

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Greg Grossart

Member

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Mark Hiskes

Member

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Rachel Rhodes

Member

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Peter Welsh

Member

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Anna Devlin

Associate Member

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Michele Leaks

Associate Member

Eagle Creek Park Foundation Board Committees

Executive Committee

Elected by voting board members.

Community Partnerships

and Diversity, Equity and Inclusion

Special Events

and Membership Engagement

Finance Committee

Fiscal Operations and Investment

Fundraising Committee

Generating Foundation Funding

Grants Committee

Grant Identification and Application

Marketing + IT Committee

Marketing and Technical Operations

NGHR Committee

Nominating, Governance, and HR

Advisory Committee

Advocates for park needs. Non -voting committee of the board.

Eagle Creek Park Foundation Directors Emeriti

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Michael Eckerle

Director Emeritus

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Karen Baum-Lauer

Director Emeritus

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Gregory Cafouros

Director Emeritus

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John Pankhurst

Director Emeritus

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Richard Aikman

Director Emeritus

Eagle Creek Park Foundation Advisory Committee

Advisory Committee

The Advisory Committee, the first “friends group” in the Indy Parks system, has met regularly since 1972. It was established by a group of volunteers who recognized the need for an independent group of concerned citizens to help protect and preserve the unique diverse ecosystems of Eagle Creek Park.

HISTORY

For organizational reasons, it became a standing committee of the Eagle Creek Park Foundation in 1997. It is composed of a balanced spectrum of informed and interested Foundation members whose goal is not only to provide city and parks management unbiased advice on the many environmental and public use issues confronting the park, but also to act as a watchdog group.

Role

The Committee has and continues to play a fundamental role in providing a strong voice on behalf of the Foundation’s membership to preserve, maintain, and improve Eagle Creek Park. The group was also a major contributor to the current park master plan. Our many thanks to the members of the Advisory Committee:

Sue Arnold

Lou Ann Baker

Brent Barta

Wayne Bivans

Michelle Cloud

Michael Eckerle

Judy Brown Fletcher

Thomas Geisse

 

Nancy Herrin

Tabitha Klem

John Kohne

Karen Bumb Lauer

Ned Lewis

John Pankhurst

David Patterson

Jack Patterson

Martin Risch

Becky Lomax-Sumner

Erik Tysklind

Jeff Williams