Eagle Creek Park

Eagle Creek Park is a municipal park in the northwest of Indianapolis, Indiana, United States. Officially opened in 1972, it covers approximately 3,900 acres (16 km2) of land and 1,400 acres (5.7 km2) of water. The largest park in Indianapolis and one of the largest municipal parks in the United States, it contains about 30 miles (48 km) of trails. The majority of the park sits on land amassed by Josiah K. Lilly Jr. from the 1930s to 1950s. Lilly built a country estate and reforested the land before donating it to Purdue University in 1958; the university sold the land to the city of Indianapolis in 1966. It is operated by Indy Parks & Recreation with support from the Eagle Creek Park Foundation. The park is centered around Eagle Creek Reservoir, which was formed from the construction of the Eagle Creek Dam in 1969. Most of the park's attractions are on the east side of the reservoir, including the Ornithology Center, which acts as the park's main visitor center. Eagle Creek Park serves primarily as a nature reserve. It is among the most visited attractions in Indianapolis, with 1.3 million guests in 2025. Most of the reservoir is open for water sports and recreation. The park is a popular place for birding, and is considered an Important Bird Area by the National Audubon Society.