WEST SIDE HIKING TRAILS

Members on West Side Hiking Trail

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IN PARTNERSHIP WITH INDY PARKS

For Eagle Creek programs, please visit this Indy Parks page.

About the West Side Hiking Trail

Eagle Creek Park’s west side, a hidden gem since its 1972 opening, gained prominence during the 1987 Pan Am Games, where archery was hosted near Eagle’s Crest.

Today, visitors can explore three ADA-accessible trails, two nature preserves (Eagle’s Crest and Starling), and the scenic 5-mile trunk trail that stretches from north to south.

The main trail provides a peaceful escape under a lush canopy, offering a serene retreat from everyday life.

We hope park goers find time and space on Eagle Creek’s West Side Hiking Trails to relax, unwind, and connect with nature.

Read more about the trail

The West Side Hiking Trail project, first envisioned by John Pankhurst in the 1980s, was included in the 1997 Eagle Creek Park strategic plan. In 2014, the Eagle Creek Park Foundation voted to move forward with securing funding for the trails. After years of planning and fundraising, a $2.6 million Lilly Endowment grant in 2018 brought the vision to life. Trail construction began in 2019 and continued through the COVID-19 pandemic, with completion of the trunk trail and the ADA loops by 2022. By 2024, final additions, including automatic gates, signage, and a dedicated podcast, were introduced.

Wander on the West Side

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ADA TRAILS

The West Side Trail Complex features 3 ADA-compliant trails.

Scott Starling Nature Preserve

Explore this gallery of images taken of the scenery and migratory birds from the nature preserve – via the ADA Starling Trail.

A white swan swimming in a calm water body with herons standing on the shore amidst lush greenery.

A group of herons and egrets standing near the water's edge among tall grasses and logs, showcasing wildlife in a natural habitat.

Field of vibrant purple wildflowers along the water's edge, surrounded by lush green trees and foliage, showcasing nature's beauty.

A green heron perched on a log near a wetland, surrounded by water and vegetation, showcasing its distinctive plumage.

A green heron standing in shallow water with a fish in its beak, creating ripples in the water.

A green heron wading in shallow water, showcasing its distinctive plumage and reflection on the surface.

Great Blue Heron standing in water with a fish in its beak, showcasing its hunting skills in a serene environment.

A white egret wading through calm water, showcasing its elegant posture and reflection on the surface.

Two ducks wading near the water's edge with egrets and herons in the background, showcasing a serene natural habitat.

Exploring the West Side Hiking Trail

Foundation Members stop in a massive tulip grove in the northwest portion of the West Side Hiking trail. Marty Risch, former park ranger, environmental scientist, and life-long lover of Eagle Creek Park teaches members about the amazing ecology through which the trail cuts.

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Listen to the Trailer Episode

John Pankhurst lays out the scope of Season one of Nature Notes. He’s the Director Emerita of the Eagle Creek Park Foundation and self-proclaimed “Chief Sheepdog”. John is one of central figures behind the entire West Side trail project.

Foundation Podcast

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Eagle Creek Nature Notes

The podcast helps you plan your next adventure to Eagle Creek Park.

Season One of our podcast, Eagle Creek Nature Notes, is now available! This season is dedicated to the West Side of Eagle Creek Park and was made possible by funding from the West Side Trail grant.

Learn more >