Zionsville’s Carpenter Nature Preserve named Aim Green Project of the Year

Submitted by Town of Zionsville

The Town of Zionsville received the Community Green Project of the Year Award from Accelerate Indiana Municipalities (Aim) for Carpenter Nature Preserve during the 2026 Aim Ideas Summit on Wednesday in French Lick.

The statewide award recognizes Carpenter Nature Preserve’s transformation of a former golf course into a 215-acre nature preserve focused on habitat restoration, environmental education, and public access to nature. Aim judges highlighted the project’s innovation and scope, thoughtful planning, and incorporation of schoolchildren.

“It is gratifying that Aim would recognize what we have already learned in Zionsville,” Mayor John Stehr said. “The Carpenter Nature Preserve is vital to protecting part of the natural world in our town for generations of our families, friends, and neighbors to enjoy.”

Carpenter Nature Preserve opened to the public this summer following the completion of Phase 1. Located at 601 S. 900 East on the former Wolf Run Golf Club property, Carpenter is the first park in Union Township and the largest nature preserve in Boone County.

The former golf course is being restored into a mix of prairie, woodland, wetland, and riparian habitats. Phase 1 restoration included removing invasive vegetation across 10 acres, establishing 19 acres of native prairie, planting four acres of reforestation, and creating new wetland habitat.

“Nature was not simply the setting for Carpenter Nature Preserve; it was the inspiration and guiding force behind its design,” Parks Superintendent Jarod Logsdon said. “Every element of infrastructure was thoughtfully woven into the landscape, minimizing impact and habitat fragmentation while creating unique visitor opportunities for exploration and appreciation of the native ecology of Central Indiana.”

The preserve was shaped through extensive ecological planning and community input with the goal of balancing public access with protection of the Eagle Creek corridor. Its first phase includes the Prairie Pavilion and Nature Playground, one mile of asphalt and crushed limestone trails, an outdoor classroom and wildlife blind, two scenic overlooks, and habitat restoration.

Carpenter Nature Preserve continues to evolve, with future phases planned to include a nature center, enhanced wetlands, prairies and woodlands, a canopy walk, boardwalks, and additional Eagle Creek overlooks.

The Community Green Project of the Year Award is part of Aim’s annual awards program recognizing accomplishments by Indiana cities and towns.