The Cardinal Equestrian Trail is an earthen horse and hiking trail paralleling the Cardinal Greenway. It begins at the Medford Trailhead (550 South) just off SR 35, connects to the Prairie Creek horse trail, and continues toward Richmond. As the Cardinal Greenway asphalt trail is completed, the horse trail will extend through Blountsville, Losantville and possibly all the way to Williamsburg.

(765) 287-0399

http://cardinalgreenways.org

 

Christy Woods is an outdoor teaching laboratory for Ball State students, as well as the community. Located on the southwest corner of our campus, Christy Woods is a 17-acre property filled with mature deciduous forest, tall grass prairie, and other plant communities. The property is one of six managed by the Field Station and Environmental Education Center.

The university’s two main greenhouse are a part of Christy Woods: the Teaching and Research Greenhouse and the Rinard Orchid Greenhouse. A third greenhouse, the Environmental Studies Greenhouse is used for research and propagation of native species. Lastly, a fourth greenhouse is used to grow herbs to supply Ball State University Dining Services.

Within the woods, there are bulletin boards and an open wood shelter, which serves as a nature interpretation center. There is also an indoor classroom available for nature education.

765-285-2641   Riverside Ave/Tillotson Ave      https://www.bsu.edu/academics/centersandinstitutes/fseec/properties/christywoods

 

Dutro-Ernst Woods is a 33 acre urban nature preserve on the site of the former Ernst Nursery. It is dedicated to Ruth Dutro, a local Biology teacher, who inspired countless students. The walking trail meanders through a prairie-in-restoration and early successional woodland. With restoration, native plants and wildlife populations are increasing and beginning to thrive. Stop by often to observe seasonal transitions and changes in the land.

Acres: 33

Accessibility: Open to the Public

Features:

• Parking lot
• Nature Play Area- natural playground, adjacent to parking lot
• Hiking trail – flat, crushed limestone, approximately length 1 mile
• Interpretive signage

1701-1795 S. Perdieu Rd., Muncie     765-288-2547    https://www.fortheland.org/dutro-ernst-woods/

Located in the southwest corner of the Industry Neighborhood, Heekin Park serves the entire Muncie Community. Bordered by Madison St. and Memorial Dr. places Heekin Park along major thoroughfares and primary bus routes. Divided in half by Hackley St., Heekin Park offers vast openspace with a multitude of large trees, multiple cabins, a picnic shelter, two playgrounds, memorials (including a WW II Memorial and time capsule, a Vietnam War Memorial and the Five Points Fountain, an elaborate water fountain created for people and animals that was relocated to Heekin Park from its original location at the intersection of Windsor St., Macedonia Ave., Kirby Ave., Ohio Ave. and Burlington Dr.), a basketball court, tennis courts, restrooms, broken water fountains, a baseball diamond, horseshoe pits, and the park office.

A fire station is centrally located in the park on the northwest corner of Memorial Dr. and Hackley St. Located to the southeast of Madison St. and 9th St., Inspire Academy, a charter school located in the former Garfield Elementary, uses Heekin Park for playground opportunities.

In the last 5 years, Heekin Park has had several improvements. A new park sign at Madison St and Memorial Ave was installed. A trail known as the Walk of Fame was installed providing ¼ mile paved walking loop lined with informational signage about individuals through history that helped fight racism and discrimination in Muncie. The large playground on the west side was removed and replaced with new playground equipment. Half of the horseshoe pits were rehabilitated.

1800 S Grant St, Muncie

(765) 747-4858

https://www.cityofmuncie.com/department/index.php?structureid=27

The John M. Craddock Wetland Nature Preserve is located in the center of Muncie, Indiana, next to former industrial sites and adjacent to the White River. The Wetland Nature Preserve began as a gift of land to the City of Muncie to honor John M. Craddock’s life-long public service commitment to saving and reviving the White River and the wildlife along its corridor.

Acres: 27

Accessibility: Open to the Public

Features: Trail and boardwalks are ADA accessible, Osprey nest, and covered pavilion with green roof.

Hiking trail, Bicycle racks at both entrances, Parking at both entrances, Access to White River Greenway

Located just east of downtown Muncie, off of N Gavin St.     https://www.fortheland.org/craddock-wetlands/