Nature enthusiasts are invited to experience the April 8 total solar eclipse during an intimate, day-long event at Eagle Creek Park.
“Total Eclipse of the Park,” sponsored by the Eagle Creek Park Foundation, will be held at the secluded Eagle’s Hideaway, 8901 W. 65th St., Indianapolis, on the park’s west side. The event runs from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. and includes:
- Continental breakfast
- Self-guided hikes on the park’s recently opened West Side Trail
- Lunch
- Eclipse informational presentations
- Certified commemorative eclipse-viewing glasses
- Dinner
- Yard games and additional activities for all ages
Cost is $60 per person ($50 for Eagle Creek Park Foundation members). Tickets are limited to 200 guests and must be purchased in advance at Eventbrite. Proceeds benefit the Eagle Creek Park Foundation, the park’s primary nonprofit fundraising partner organized in 1978 to preserve, promote, protect, and enhance Eagle Creek Park.
“We know people have many choices for where to view the eclipse,” said Adam Hibshman, Foundation Marketing & Program Coordinator. “But at ‘Total Eclipse of the Park,’ you’ll be totally surrounded by nature, making this a one-of-a-kind location for this once-in-a-lifetime event.
“Our event guests are invited to bring chairs, tables, blankets, pop-up tents, games – basically anything that will make their day fun and comfortable,” Hibshman continued. “On-leash dogs are welcome to attend with their owners (but dogs will not be permitted inside the Hideaway). And coolers with food and beverage are permitted, even though we’ll be serving a continental breakfast, lunch, and dinner. We anticipate that traffic in the area of the park will be heavy following the eclipse which is why we’re offering dinner to our guests, hoping they’ll remain with us at the park until traffic clears up.”
The actual eclipse – the day’s big event – happens between 1:50 and 4:23 p.m., with totality occurring at 3:07 p.m. and lasting for approximately four minutes.
“Eagle Creek is a superb location for anyone who loves nature and wants to experience the eclipse among a limited number of like-minded enthusiasts, all while immersed in nature,” Hibshman said. “Our guests will have two locations to choose from to view the spectacle: next to the aptly named Hideaway or along Eagle Creek Reservoir, an easy mile’s hike away.”
All “Total Eclipse of the Park” guests will receive a pair of certified commemorative eclipse-viewing glasses. However, for those viewing the eclipse elsewhere, the glasses are available by order or walk-in pickup at the park office, 7840 W. 56th St., Indianapolis, for a suggested donation of $5 per pair. Those interested in ordering eclipse glasses can use this link to order and then pick-up at the park office.
For additional information about this Eagle Creek Park Foundation event, including the day’s schedule and more, click here.
About Eagle Creek Park
Eagle Creek Park, located on Indianapolis’ northwest side, is among the nation’s 10 largest municipal parks with 3,900 acres of woods, meadows, and ponds, and 1,300 acres of reservoir. A superior resource for wildlife, recreation and education, Eagle Creek Park welcomes over 1.3 million visitors annually. The park is recognized as a “birding hot spot” due to the migratory birds that visit each year as well as for its raptor rehabilitation program at the Eagle Creek Ornithology Center. It also is home to a nationally recognized full-sized rowing course. For more information about Eagle Creek Park and the Eagle Creek Park Foundation, visit eaglecreekpark.org.