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Carpenter Nature Preserve set to open June 22 after phase-one completion
Summary
Parks staff said phase one of the Carpenter Nature Preserve is complete and pledged to open the preserve at dawn on June 22; staff highlighted project fundraising, volunteer support and plans to use program revenue (not paid parking) to help fund operations.
Town of Zionsville parks staff announced that phase one of the Carpenter Nature Preserve is complete and that the preserve will open to the public at dawn on June 22. Jared, speaking for parks staff, said the site had a dedication on May 21 and that rain-related washouts delayed a full public opening until the seeds take hold.
The presentation to the Parks Board summarized construction and fundraising: the land purchase was completed in fall 2023 for $4.52 million, below the prior appraisal, and staff said the original rough estimate for phase-one construction was in the multimillion-dollar range. Jared said the town has not yet finalized the total phase-one cost and that donations to the project offset some contract expenses. He noted the project benefited from foundation gifts and in-kind support.
Board members asked how the preserve could contribute to other park priorities. Staff said the terms of a Land and Water grant prohibit charging for parking, but program fees, rentals and event revenue generated at Carpenter can be retained and used by the parks department. Jared said, "Any revenues we generate through rentals, through programs that are out there, through events, all of that we will utilize." The board discussed how revenue strategies and donor cultivation might support deferred maintenance elsewhere in the park system.
Staff also reviewed related program activity: the department planted 146 milkweed plants along the Big Four Rail Trail with support from Monarch Watch, is treating poison hemlock on mountain-bike trails, and recently onboarded dozens of seasonal staff and two summer interns to support operations. Monthly counts showed the Big Four Rail Trail had about 16,503 uses in May, roughly 7,460 cyclists and 9,043 pedestrians.
The board did not take formal action on Carpenter beyond acknowledging the opening date and discussing next steps for budgeting and revenue generation. The preserve opening and related operational plans will be implemented by parks staff, with board oversight of future budget requests and any proposed revenue programs.
