NATURE & RECREATION

“Muncie provides many opportunities to explore Indiana’s natural beauty. My family enjoys hiking the Dutro-Ernst Woods Trail and wandering around Craddock Wetlands. Minnetrista is our favorite place because its grounds include both nature and play areas.” — Steve & Judy Hessel (Hometown: New York City, NY)

OUTDOOR SPACES

CARDINAL GREENWAYS

The longest rail-trail in Indiana, spanning 62 miles from Marion to Richmond, was inducted into the Rail-Trail Hall of Fame in 2018 and features a gift shop, bike rentals, and events throughout the year.

CRADDOCK WETLAND PRESERVE

Craddock Wetland Preserve is a beautiful 27-acre habitat located at the eastern end of the White River Greenway on an old industrial site. Starting in 2009, volunteers from Ball State University and conservation groups restored the wetland and built the boardwalk and other structures. Open daily to the public.

HUGHES NATURE PRESERVE

Hughes Nature Preserve is a seven-acre urban site nestled between the White River and the Cardinal Greenway. It offers a paved trail, benches, and a viewing area overlooking the river.

WHITE RIVER GREENWAY

White River Greenway is a scenic, three-mile trail along the White River, just south of Ball State University, along the western edge of downtown, and through Minnetrista. To the east, it connects with the Cardinal Greenway and ends at the Craddock Wetland Preserve.

DUTRO ERNST WOODS

A 33-acre urban nature preserve on the west side of Muncie. The walking trail meanders through a prairie-in-restoration and early successional woodland. With restoration, native plants and wildlife populations are increasing and beginning to thrive.

RED-TAIL NATURE PRESERVE

Red-Tail Nature Preserve is a 105-acre site located between Prairie Creek Park and the Cardinal Greenway. In late summer, the native grasses and wildflowers are in full bloom.

MINNETRISTA MUSEUM & GARDENS

Minnetrista offers a number of nature spaces that are free to explore and enjoy. The nature area features a tallgrass prairie, a wetlands feature, and a woodland area. Adjacent to the Orchard Shop are the Orchard Garden and the Culinary Herb Garden, both of which are open for the public to harvest and enjoy.

PRAIRIE CREEK RESERVOIR

Prairie Creek Reservoir is a lake and campground oasis, just a short 15 minutes from Muncie! This hidden gem features swimming, pontoon rental, ATV, horse trails, playground, basketball, volleyball, and new rental cabins. Also home to Muncie Ironman 70.3 Triathlon!

CHRISTY WOODS

Christy Woods is an outdoor teaching laboratory on Ball State University’s campus, with 17 acres of deciduous forest, tallgrass prairie, and other plan communities. Trails run throughout the site, one leading to the Joe and Alice Rinard Orchid Greenhouse.

TUHEY POOL AND PARK

Tuhey Pool and Park are much-loved community assets originally constructed in 1934. They are located in the Riverside/Normal City neighborhood, just east of Ball State University’s campus. Recent upgrades include a splash pad and Halteman Park for our youngest community members.

MUNCIE PUBLIC PARKS

Many parks are located throughout our city—28 in all! The largest parks include:

Heekin Park – Playgrounds, tennis, basketball, baseball, horseshoe pits, cabins, and picnic shelters. Home to the Muncie-Delaware County quarter-mile Walk of Fame.

McCulloch Park – Playgrounds, disk golf, basketball, baseball, soap box derby track, picnic shelters, and easy access to White River Greenway. Home to Muncie’s primary sledding hill.

Westside Park – Playground, basketball, softball, shuffleboard, picnic shelters, and easy access to White River Greenway.

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