McCloud Nature Park turns 10

McCloud Nature Park will celebrate being 10 years old on Saturday, May 4 from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m.

In 2000, a county park board was officially formed and the next three years were spent partnering with the DNR to purchase the 232-acre property and prepare it for use by the public, including constructing a nature center.

McCloud Park opened in 2003. Ten years later many wonderful improvements have been made to the park, which remains a peaceful escape despite the 33,000 visitors that enjoyed it last year.

McCloud Park will also be celebrating the bridge spanning Big Walnut Creek.

The iron bridge was originally constructed in 1913 and placed over the Big Monon Ditch in Pulaski County, where it supported horse-drawn carriages and early automobiles.

After many years of use, the bridge was retired and left abandoned in a field in Pulaski County.

In 2006, Hendricks County Parks learned Pulaski County planned to raze the bridge so the determined park board seized the opportunity to rescue and re-use of the bridge.

Overcoming many challenges, the Park Board's vision became a reality and, in 2010, the bridge was rebuilt across Big Walnut Creek, doubling the land park visitors could enjoy by granting access to 110-acres of woodlands and trails on the north side of the park.

A variety of demonstrations and seminars will occur throughout the day and the complete schedule can be found on www.hendrickscountyparks.org.

Topics include recycling, water quality and storm drains, B&O Trail update, rain gardening, healthy living, birding, native landscaping, astronomy, squad car and SWAT gear viewing, meet a K9 officer and Indiana Jim's real reptile show.

There will also be self-guided things to do throughout the park like touring the nature center, hiking, fishing, bird watching, scavenger hunting and strolling on a history walk incorporating facts about McCloud's past in a fun interactive way.

McCloud Nature Park is operated by Hendricks County Parks and Recreation and is located five minutes south of North Salem at 8518 N. Hughes Rd. Admission is always free and the park is open from dawn to dusk daily.

Nature center hours are Wednesday through Saturday from 10 a.m.-5 p.m. and Sunday from 1-5 p.m.

For more information on McCloud and its programs, visit www.hendrickscountyparks.org.