My husband and I took our grandchildren here for a picnic and hiking/exploring. The nature center…read morewas closed (I had not checked their hours), but we had a great time before incoming rain/storm sent us home. We'll return! The creek is beautiful and the kids enjoyed the bridge. We found deer and raccoon tracks, and some shells. Nature is wonderful

I don't get to this part of Central Indiana often, however, I had the chance to accompany a friend…read moreand we decided to do a bit of a detour and visit McCloud Nature Park in North Salem (Hendricks County). McCloud Nature Park is a 232-acre nature park established in 2003. It has over six miles of hiking trails, easy access to Big Walnut Creek, a nature center with year-round programs, and a pretty good chance you're going to see wildlife while here. The nature center has live reptiles, amphibians, insects, a bird-viewing room, a resource library, and interactive exhibits. In the late spring, summer, and early fall, you can observe live honeybee hives. There's a park pavilion available for rent (I believe it's only $50 a day). For a nature park, it's obvious much effort has been made to offer some contemporary amenities (modern restrooms/picnic facilities) and a surprising degree of accessibility including the availability of a GRIT Freedom Chair to borrow for two-hour increments (no charge). You can also rent a picnic pavilion with tables/grills. For those who don't know, GRIT chairs are capable of handling basic off-roading quite easily. They are manual chairs, but they have levers instead of the traditional wheel-push function. They're quite cool and ideal for hiking trails. While I was able to handle most of the ground here in my chair, a GRIT chair makes it MUCH easier. The trails are both gravel and natural surfaced trails - they are well marked. You can fish, wade, canoe, and kayak in Big Walnut Creek. The creek is known to have smallmouth bass, panfish, catfish, suckers, and carp (you do have to follow Indiana fishing laws and have an Indiana fishing license). As someone who loves bridges, I was in love with a restored iron truss bridge that is over 100 years old. There's also a swing set with belt, tire, infant, and ADA swings. The wetland habitat has a boardwalk and observation decks. While I'm impressed with how accessible Hendricks County has made this nature park, I'm also impressed with how much accessibility was actually just built into it. There was some clear thought. I sure wouldn't call all the trails accessible, though more advanced wheelchair users like myself can definitely have some fun here (and I did). The nature center admission is free. Hours for the nature center: November through March: Friday & Saturday only, 10am-4pm (closed noon to 1pm). April through October: Wednesday - Saturday, 10am - 4pm (closed noon to 1pm); Sundays, 1-5pm. This is definitely worth a visit to the westside to check out. I'd actually call it a destination nature park with enough features to keep folks happy. There's enough accessibility offerings to allow for all members of the family to enjoy the park. This is an absolute gem and I definitely recommend a visit.

Fall Creek Greenway is one of my favorite places in the city. I live right next to it and walk the…read moretrail almost every day with my dog. Being so close to the river is really nice, and I'm always spotting wildlife. Recently I've seen a big owl, deer, a beaver, and even a bald eagle! I also love riding my bike on the trail. People are usually very respectful, whether they're biking, running, or walking. You'll often see families out together, which makes it feel welcoming and safe. There could be a bit more lighting though. Other than that, it's an amazing trail to have right in the city.

Great bike trail! Well maintained and nice views of the creek along the way…read more Park your vehicle at fort Harrison park and ride your bike directly to the trail.

The City of Carmel has injected a bunch of fun activities and art along the Monon Trail in area…read moreknow as Midtown. The trail splits in this area with bike/running paths and pedestrian paths. In the medians between, there is a artsy splash pad/fountain, good for a quick cool down on a hot day. One area has a fun climbing structure for kids. There is even a colorful ping pong table, complete with paddles and balls. I even saw a bocce ball and shuffle ball courts - completely equipped! The setup is perfect for a date night or family fun. There was a temporary photo backdrop of splashing water commemorating the local swimmers going to the US finals and Olympics. Along the trail are several sculptures and murals that keep the trail interesting. There are benches and tables periodically to sit and enjoy a cup of coffee or socialize. The landscaping is lovely. The area is kept immaculate. The maintenance staff is super friendly. There is some street and garage parking nearby. The pedestrian traffic gets congested during peak times. Pro tip: Early morning walks are quiet and there is plenty of parking.

Beautiful trail that leads to a cake shop. It was so pretty during the fall season. You can see all…read morethe foliage. Great way to get your steps in.

It's been too long since my last review of the Cultural Trail. It can become easy to take treasures…read morelike this for granted after the initial buzz and excitement wears off. The truth is, the Cultural Trail weaves into our city so seamlessly (thanks to the landscaping and design) that it's a natural part of the fabric that makes our downtown so special. I'm thrilled about the latest expansions and can't wait to see how we continue to celebrate and utilize this great win for Hoosier pedestrians.

If you're seeking an inspiring and unique way to experience Indianapolis, the Indianapolis Cultural…read moreTrail is your answer! This trail is a testament to the city's unique character, offering a glimpse into its hidden gems, from serene parks and vibrant playgrounds to eclectic restaurants and cozy coffee shops. The trail offers a sense of empowerment, allowing you to choose the mode of transportation that suits you best. Whether you conquer the 8-mile-long trail or opt for a shorter, more stroll, like my mom and I did, the choice is yours. We explored the downtown part of the trail, close to the federal building, all the way down to the river trail. It was a short distance but a journey filled with memorable experiences. One of the things I loved about the trail was how many interesting sculptures and pieces of art we saw along the way. Each one had a description and information about the artist, which added to the experience. We also stumbled upon some fantastic restaurants and coffee shops that we probably wouldn't have found otherwise. If you're visiting Indianapolis and looking for a fun and unique way to explore the city, check out the Indianapolis Cultural Trail. It's a gem that's worth discovering!

Zionsville, Indiana has about 20 miles of interconnected paths and trails. This includes the…read moreofficial Zionsville Rail Trail (which I've also heard referred to as the Big 4 Rail Trail). This is a 5+ mile paved trail that goes through the heart of Zionsville, a small suburb on the northwest side of Indy. Trail parking is available at American Legion Trail Crossing, Heritage Trail Park, Carter Station, Zionsville Town Hall and the Nancy Burton Corridor Parking, and just off of Starkey Road. Currently, the trail is being extended north toward Whitestown and south to Zionsville Road. The Zionsville Road trailhead is also currently being constructed. Thus, you will likely encounter some unfinished areas and some construction along the way. While the trail can get busy during good weather, it's a much quieter trail than Monon or Nickel Plate. Because it also weaves through Zionsville, there's also places to stop and it's typically pretty easy to find a public restroom. I know there's at least one on the trail that is clearly marked. Some of the entryways don't look like they would be wheelchair friendly, however, Zionsville has actually done really well to create accessibility along the path. I haven't down this trail during the winter - so I can't speak to maintenance during adverse weather. The paved trail is wide. The most significant inclines are at access points and all those that I experienced met ADA requirements. The trail feels safe and I've seen quite a few parents with strollers on the trail. While you get runners, everyone is considerate on this trail. The plan for the trail is that it will stretch 50+ miles across Boone County and will go from northern Indy to Lafayette. The Big 4 Railroad operated along this corridor from 1889-1930. Zionsville established this trail in the 1990s. The trail is a paved 12-foot wide path with a 3-foot soft shoulder on both sides for runners. It offers restrooms, water fountains, trail markers, picnic benches, and trash receptacles. Pets are to be leashed. If you turn right onto a short path when the trail intersects with Starkley Avenue, you can go directly into downtown Zionsville. Zionsville has a brick-paved Main Street that is quite cool. The trail utilizes nearly all underpasses to go through town. You don't really experience an at-grade crossing until you hit Zionsville's north side. I find this to be much nicer and safer. The trail passes by Mulberry Fields, Jennings Field, Carter Station, Heritage Trail Park, and Rail Trail Gardens Event Center. The trail's a definite winner and only getting better in the coming years!

I walked the Zionsville Rail Trail with a friend in September '23 and it appears it was either…read morestill undergoing construction (or some enhancements). We parked at Zionsville town hall since the map online indicated an access point here. There was one, but it was a gravel path for about a half mile until we realized we were walking through an unfinished part of the trail. The Rail Trail is a straight path through residential areas of Zionsville. It wasn't very busy on a fall afternoon, and I'm not sure if it will have commercial development like the Monon Trail in Carmel and the Nickel Plate Trail in Fishers, since it does back up to houses/neighborhoods.

I was in Ellenberger Park recently and had the opportunity to spend some time on the underrated…read morePleasant Run Trail. The Pleasant Run Trail is a 6.9-mile trail that has Ellenberger Park as its north point, Garfield Park as its south point, and it also goes through Christian Park. The trail also connects to the Red Line at the Garfield Park station. The trail mostly runs through residential areas other than its park connections. You will pass by the Kin Hubbard Memorial, Howe (which I believe is becoming a middle school now), the conservatory at Garfield Park, and a few other familiar features. The trail is almost completely paved, though I would say a handful of curb-cuts were a bit difficult in the wheelchair. The trail is also well-marked with clear signage for directions. There's generally good visibility on the trail, though I do know there's been some crime issues on the southeast side of the trail. There's quite a bit of greenery. I'm not quite sure why, but I've never spent a ton of time on this trail. I typically head to the nearby Pennsy or the Fall Creek Greenway farther north. However, this really is a lovely little trail that is for the most part well-maintained. The Pleasant Run Greenway continues to grow and I believe the plan is to connect to the White River Greenway (another underappreciated trail). Parking is readily available at all three parks and wheelchair users can easily access the trail at any of the three parks.

This is a very nice trail. It spans almost 7 miles and runs from Ellenberger Park to Christian Park…read moreto Garfield Park. You can access the trail at either of the tree parks. They all have their own parking. I accessed it from Garfield Park. The trail is well marked, paved in most areas and pretty wide. There are other paved trails that branch off from it, but it is pretty well marked to keep you on the right path. The trail is good for walking, jogging, biking, and skating. It was a nice day when I was out on the trail and there was not a lot of traffic. I think this trail gets overlooked a lot for some reason. This trail is not circular; its linear which means you have to come back as far as you go out unless you have prearranged transportation at the other end. You have have to cross some streets while on the trail. The trail is relatively peaceful and well maintained. This is a nice trail just outside of downtown. It gets it name from Pleasant Run, the roadway that it runs along. It also gives you the sights and sounds of a creek and some neighborhoods along the way. I enjoyed the trail and I believe that it feeds into longer trails such as the Pennsy and Cultural Trails.

The Blickman Educational Trail Park at White River was established in 2005 by Sol and Toby Blickman…read moreas an outdoor environmental educational destination for young people with a special focus on both Boy and Girl Scouts. Donating the land that allows a link between Marott Park and Holliday Park, the Blickmans funded this park to ensure it would remain in its natural state for perpetuity. The odds are fairly strong that you've driven by this park many times if you've lived in Indy for any length of time at all. Located right at 64th and Meridian, not far from the Indianapolis Hebrew Congregation where the Blickmans were members, the Blickman Educational Trail Park is one of those "over the shoulder" sites where you pass it, you realize there's something there, and you look over your shoulder to try to figure out what it is. Sol Blickman was a longtime philanthropist in the Indy area. He owned Rogers Jewelers before selling it off to Zale's, then started Rogers Swimming Pools in Broad Ripple. He received a Distinguished Hoosier Award from Governor Daniels in 2005. The actual trail itself is short at .7 miles and connects to the White River Trail. There's ample parking here. It's worth noting that the Blickman Educational Trail Park is truly a "nature" resource and is not a recreational area. There are no real activities beyond those related to environmental education. It's also worth noting, and this causes a loss of a star for me, that the trail itself is not fully accessible, though I do believe there's a way you can detour that allows at least some access. Because the trail does have a section by White River, there's also the potential for flooding - when it's not flooded (which is most of the time), it's stunning in its beauty. This is one of those stunning little gems in Indy that it seems like most people ignore. I was honestly surprised it hadn't been reviewed but, again, it's one of those little spots that's such a short trail it's not really worth going out of your way. It's also set aside off Meridian Street and super easy to miss. I would definitely recommend checking it out at least once. It's yet another wonderful example of someone doing something really great for Indy and ensuring their legacy continues long after they've passed away.

The Jacob Schramm Nature Preserve is a 31-acre mature woods in Hancock County close to New…read morePalestine. It was originally protected in 1999. It is owned by Hancock County Community Foundation and the Central Indiana Land Trust helps manage the stewardship of the property. For those who like trails but prefer a shorter one, Jacob Schramm offers a fairly easy .6 mile trail that is pretty much all natural with some bridging and some markings for trees. A pergola, bench, and boardwalk area was added in 2009. Because this is mostly natural, it can be a little difficult (or a lot) during inclement weather. As a wheelchair user, I most definitely could not wheel even the short trail during rainy weather because it gets fairly muddy. During good weather, it's a pretty delightful little preserve. I'm always torn with how to rate preserves. As a wheelchair user, I get frustrated at the lack of access. However, I also respect the desire to keep the nature preserve in its natural condition. It's a difficult dilemma. I think active wheelchair users could handle most of the preserve during good weather days, though there are natural obstacles periodically and even with a largely flat trail I'd hesitate to call it anything close to actually accessible. That said, I love the work of the Central Indiana Land Trust and this is an under-appreciated gem in Hancock County. While I don't get to Hancock County often, when I do I most always stop here. I should note, of course, that this is not a "park." There are no activities here other than the pergola and bench where you can relax and enjoy nature. You will discover a wide variety of trees, flowers, birds, and occasionally other wildlife while here.

This little gem of a nature preserve is found about a mile south of US 40 on Mt Comfort Road (CR…read more600 W) in Hancock County. The preserve was established in 1999, and the pergola, bench, and the board walk areas were added in 2009. The 31 acres are mostly woods but contain a small pond area within the woods and small tributaries that meander towards the nearest creek. The local boy scouts have done a good job of building crossings for the widest/wettest spans of the trails. However, the majority of the 0.6 mile hiking loop is foot worn with leaves as the main buffer between your shoes and the dirt/mud. What I really like about this otherwise run of the mill wooded area is that there is a small kiosk at the entrance to the trail area which has park pamphlets inside. The pamphlets have numbered items that are either tree descriptions or instructions for observations. Along the trail, you will see numbered blue posts that correlate to the pamphlets. For example, #12 is a Sycamore tree that grows from 60-90 feet, has triangle shaped leaves with alternating leaf placement, and bark that is pale white which often peels. I like feeling smarter after a good walk, exercising my mind at the same time I exercise my body. The ground is mostly flat, but footing can be a little slippery after rains. They could also use a trash can near the parking lot to help keep the preserve clean. Review #781