A couple of weeks back, my dad was running errands on the north side of Indianapolis and stumbled upon a hidden treasure; it looked to be a nature preserve or a walking trail. He suggested that my brother and I, along with a family friend, go check it out with him when we all had a day off together and weren’t planning anything else. This is how we discovered Daubenspeck Nature Park.
Daubenspeck consists about 22 acres of land with walking trails, wildlife, and amazing scenery. The park is a non-profit (so entry is always free) and is ran and maintained by a group of volunteers. The land was gifted to Washington Township in 1960 from a 93-year-old farmer named Peter Daubenspeck. The area began to transform in late 2005/early 2006, which is when the approval for a non-profit and a 30-year renewable lease with the Metropolitan School District of Washington Township was completed. The blueprint for the up-and-coming park took shape quickly, and work began in August of 2006. The park features a variety of environments, including prairie, wetland, and forest. An observation deck gives visitors a full panoramic view of the lush land, and bridges and boardwalks can be found on the trails.
We decided to go on a warm September evening, and planned to hike the whole entirety of the trail, which was just shy of a mile. The hike was very easy and appropriate for hikers of all levels. The Main Loop, which is about half of a mile, connects to a denser trail named The Woods Loop, which is approximately 0.2 miles. We crossed Alverna Creek, which was lower than it usually is. All of the trails offer bird boxes and bat houses, and The Main Loop is where the observation deck, information kiosks, boardwalks, and benches can be found.
The wildlife was around every corner; bunnies, squirrels, birds, and insects were ready to greet us. Daubenspeck Nature Park is one of the most popular stops on the Indy Birding Trail. According to the trail guide, the park is also home to red foxes, white-tailed deer, northern water snakes, and little brown bats. The bee population was amazing (save the bees!) and the flowers were gorgeous. Butterfly Weed, Bee Balm, and Black-Eyed Susan’s seemed to be the most popular for the butterflies and bees.
It really blew my mind that something like this is right off of 96th street and Ditch Road. The city sometimes makes me feel like there’s a sizeable disconnect to nature, but finding this cool little spot brought me peace. It feels reassuring to live in a community that wants to bring the city dwellers and nature together. Their mission, as stated on their trail guide, is, “To create and maintain a precious, native, green space where nature and the community can enhance each other.” The volunteers and the park itself are absolutely exceeding their own mission. This little nature getaway is in our backyards, and I’m glad my dad suggested taking an afternoon to enjoy it.