Parker's Indian Creek Basin
Parker's Indian Creek Basin is a lowland floodplain along the Wabash River, frequently flooded and subject to periods of extreme wet or utter dry, depending on annual rainfall upstream . The restoration is in progress. During the transition to a forested system, a visit to Parker's Indian Creek provides an educational insight into the scale and scope of restoration and land management.
NICHES created a small pond area on the west side of the property which has been utilized by frogs and salamanders for breeding in the spring.
Parker's Indian Creek Basin is named in honor of George Parker. George was instrumental in the early days of NICHES Land Trust before the organization was formally an organization, served on the NICHES board a couple of different times, led the efforts for the organization to adopt a deer control strategy and was a highly respected professor at Purdue University.
Activities
- Bird Watching
- Mushroom Harvesting Allowed
- No Trails
- Wildflowers
History of Acquisition and Property
Parker's Indian Creek Basin was acquired in 2004 with support from the Roy Whistler Foundation and an anonymous donor. The entire property, outside of a small stretch along the banks of Indian Creek, was farmed in a corn and soybean rotation at the time of acquisition. At the time of purchase, a portion of the property along the river was surveyed off and held by the Tippecanoe County Parks Department to be part of a trail along the river that will be an extension of the Wabash River Heritage Trail.
How to Get There
The preserve is on the south side of Division Road just west of 725 W, the road to Martell Forest. The entrance is a break in the guard rail and a dip down hill from road to parking lot. The NICHES sign at the base of the turn will confirm arrival at Parker's Indian Creek Basin.
Closures
Closed in November for Deer Control Hunt
Parking
Grassy parking lot
Number of Acres
59
