Tippecanoe County

Frank and Ada Beineke Memorial Forest

Frank and Ada Beineke Memorial Forest protects a portion of Indian Creek, which flows through the property north to south. Indian Creek is a great place to look for ebony jewelwing damselflies, cricket frogs and other aquatic denizens.

Most of the lands on either side of the creek were formerly farmed. Portions of the land have been reforested and other portions have been allowed to naturally recover.

In addition, beaver have returned to the area and are rewilding the land with the creation of a small dam on a tributary of Indian Creek that has flooded portions of the land that were growing young trees and creating places for wetland loving species such as great angelica.

The northern border of Frank and Ada Beineke Memorial Forest touches Purdue’s Martell Forest.

Activities

Bird Watching
Mushroom Harvesting Allowed
No Trails
Wildflowers

History of Acquisition and Property

The original property was purchase in 2018 and supported by the Laura Hare Charitable Trust. At the time, this land was adjacent to land owned by Walt and Kay Beineke that was in an estate plan to NICHES, and NICHES and the Beinekes decided to name the whole preserve under one name in anticipation of the future expansion. After the passing of Kay in 2022 and Walt in 2025, two additional parcels were passed from the Beinekes to NICHES, bringing the preserve to a total of 42 acres.

Walt Beineke had the distinction of being the first forester to hold a patent on a tree, and he told the story of his life and work in the book Purdue Number One.

How to Get There

From the intersection of South River Road and 725 W, travel north 0.4 miles and park on the west side of the road. If you crossed Indian Creek, you went too far.