Daubenspeck Community Nature Park in Washington Township sits north of the 86th Street and Ditch Road intersection. You might have driven by and noticed it — and perhaps been tempted to stroll along the trails.

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A young visitor at Daubenspeck Community Nature Park last fall found a fuzzy caterpillar, telling her that winter was on its way. PHOTO: Daubenspeck Community Nature Park

But, did you know that, according to the Marion County Comprehensive Land Use Plan, Washington Township has the fewest acres of parkland per capita of any Marion County township? That makes Deb Ellman, board president of Daubenspeck Community Nature Park, particularly enthusiastic about the park. Ellman is enthusiastic about green space in general, she said, because interaction with nature is critical, especially for children.

“We needed more acreage to serve people in the area,” Ellman said. “We give youths and adults the opportunity to make a difference.”

Not for sale
The idea for the nature park came about in an unusual way. Ellman said a for-sale sign on the property generated anxiety in the community. After years of use as an informal green space, the township’s school board was selling the main lot.

“It went up for sale and the neighbors were in shock,” she said. “Folks in the area rallied to fight. We didn’t want more retail or apartments, so we thought about what we did want.”

They decided the area should remain a green space accessible to the whole community.

In 2005, the school board decided not to sell the property, and the nature preserve idea began taking shape the following year. Ellman worked with the landowners to sign long leases and set up a nonprofit organization to oversee the space.

Now, the park covers two parcels — a prairie and a small wooded area — on about 22 acres. Volunteers built and maintain DCNP, the board of directors is all- volunteer, and the park is supported entirely by donations.

What you’ll see
“The park offers trails, benches to sit on, informative signage and boardwalks,” Ellman said. “There’s a gravel parking area with a wood fence. We have shadowboxes that feature native wildflowers.”

The prairie has been restored and is thriving with native species. Two wetlands also have been established. The park is a haven for plants and creatures of all sorts, and park volunteers will introduce quail to the area soon.

“Birdwatchers come from all over,” Ellman said. “We have wonderful diversity. There are mammals, insects, incredible butterflies and other pollinators for crops so important in Indiana.”

Upcoming eco-walks
Bird Walk, 9 – 10:30 a.m., Saturday, May 22
Creek Critters, 10 – 11 a.m., Saturday, June 5
Wild Facts About Our Wild Flowers, 10 – 11 a.m., Saturday, July 10
The Sweet Life of Daubenspeck’s Bees, 10 – 11 a.m., Saturday, July 24
Owl Prowl, 6:30 – 8 p.m., Friday Oct. 1

For more information, visit http://daubpark.org. Click here to see more photos of Daubenspeck Community Nature Park.

Sustainability award winners
Five Indianapolis companies recently received Indianapolis Sustainability Awards for their efforts to reduce their impact on the environment. The awards were presented by the Indianapolis Office of Sustainability, the McKinney Family Foundation and the Greater Indianapolis Chamber of Commerce in five categories. Daubenspeck Community Nature Park won in the Land category. The winners were:

Energy — Browning Day Mullins Dierdorf
Land — Daubenspeck Community Nature Park
Air — Celadon Trucking Services
Water — The Nature Conservancy, Indiana
Reduce, Reuse, Recycle — Green Piece Indy

For more information about the Sustainability Awards, visit the Office of Sustainability Web site at www.sustainindy.org. Look for details about the other winning projects on green.indy.com.

—By Jen Bingham, for Custom Publications

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