ABOUT US
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:
Bilingual Naturalist
Funded in 2024 to deliver monthly bilingual programming at no additional cost to visitors
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.
Carlsen Aviary
Funded and opened in 2023 to support the raptor ambassadors at the Ornithology 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.
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
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.
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.
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.
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
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.
OTHER PROJECTS
Additional projects from Eagle Creek Park Foundation
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 Miami, Potawatomi, 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!
THE TEAM
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.
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.
Heather Nawrocki
Office Manager
Heather grew up hiking, camping, birding, and enjoying all things nature, thanks to her nature-loving parents.
Contact Heather
MORE ABOUT HEATHER
Heather Nawrocki is the newest addition to the ECPF team! Heather grew up in Greenwood, IN and graduated from Center Grove High School in 2012. Heather got her undergraduate degree in Biology & Chemistry from Ball State University – although she started as a Musical Theatre major! After graduation, Heather moved to Indianapolis for graduate school at the University of Indianapolis & Marian University where she studied human anatomy & osteopathic medicine, respectively.
After spending most of her 20s studying & in hospitals, Heather decided to take a leap of faith and left medicine to do something new – which is how she came to the ECPF! Although Heather is the new to the ECPF, she has been coming to Eagle Creek Park her whole life. Thanks to her nature-loving parents, Heather grew up hiking, camping, birding, and enjoying all things nature. You can meet her sister, Jenna, if you visit the Ornithology Center – you may even catch Heather there from time to time helping with raptor care!
Heather has been a volunteer at Eagle Creek Park for almost a decade! She even worked as a summer camp counselor & gate house attendant throughout school. Her favorite camp is always the Ornithology Center’s “Magical Creatures” camp because she gets to dress up as Professor Snape and teach the campers “potions (chemistry)”! In addition to potions, Heather teaches Anatomy & Physiology at the University of Indianapolis.
In her free time, Heather enjoys running, gardening, barre, and spending time with her family. A HUGE part of Heather’s personality revolves around her (healthy) obsession with Taylor Swift, so if you come pick up your ECPF membership pass, you’ll likely hear the newest album playing throughout the park office!
“To live for the hope of it all” – T. Swift
THE BOARD
Eagle Creek Park Foundation Executive Committee
Meghan Mustin
Executive Director
Emily Storm-Smith
President
Joshua Astin
Vice President
Stephen Cranfill
Secretary
Bernie Cinkoske
Treasurer
Greg Grossart
ASST. TREASURER
Eagle Creek Park Foundation BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Lou Ann Baker
Member
Brent Barta
Member
Luke Brahm
Member
Joe Brinkman
Member
Jason Cookson
Member
Mike Francis
Member
Glenda Hernandez
Member
Andrew Keeler
Member
Karen Klimowitch
Member
Rachel Rhodes
Member
Tabitha Klem
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
Michael Eckerle
Director Emeritus
Karen Baum-Lauer
Director Emeritus
Gregory Cafouros
Director Emeritus
John Pankhurst
Director Emeritus
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