As we wrap 2025, the Zionsville Parks Foundation would like to thank you for helping make this year such a success for parks and green spaces in our community. We are excited to share two announcements to close out the year, including that the Foundation received the 2025 Arago Award by the Indianapolis-based Meridian Foundation, and the Foundation is supporting ALL youth nature programs with a $25,000 grant.
Innovation Award & Grant News to End 2025!
Another Fantastic Parks & Pastries!
The second annual Parks & Pastries was a wonderful success! We were honored to gather with community supporters and corporate partners at The Club at Holliday Farms on October 3 for a morning of meaningful conversation about protecting and growing Zionsville’s parks and green spaces.
The Nature Playground at Carpenter Nature Preserve
The nature playground is one of the first signature projects the Foundation has taken on at the Preserve, and we are thrilled to see it come together with the help of our generous donors. We recently presented Jarod Logsdon, Superintendent of the Zionsville Department of Parks and Recreation, with a check for $75,000 for the nature playground.
Celebrate National Parks & Recreation Month
Zionsville’s parks and trails are more than beautiful landscapes — they are essential to the health, happiness, and prosperity of our community. In celebration of National Parks and Recreation Month, we proudly recognize the many ways our parks enrich the lives of residents and contribute to a thriving Zionsville.
A New President
The Zionsville Parks Foundation is pleased to announce the appointment of Tim Casady as the new President of the Board of Directors. Tim succeeds Nancy Carpenter, the founder and first President of the Foundation, who has completed a successful five-year term.
Parks & Pastries Recap + Acorn Award
The Foundation held its inaugural Parks & Pastries breakfast fundraiser on October 25 to raise funds and awareness for our mission to preserve, enhance and grow Zionsville’s parks and green spaces. With a sold-out audience at Zionsville Town Hall, we were able to celebrate the early successes of the Foundation, including securing gifts and pledges of $650,000 for Carpenter Nature Preserve; sponsoring environmental education programs for youth; and funding trees, benches, and a mural in Zionsville parks. At Parks & Pastries, the Zionsville Parks Foundation bestowed its first-ever Acorn Award to Elizabeth Mueller. The Acorn Award is presented to an individual to honor outstanding contributions to Zionsville’s natural resources, wildlife habitat, and parks.
The Vision for the Carpenter Nature Preserve is Coming to Life!
Curious about the Carpenter Nature Preserve? Read here to learn more about recent Phase 1 developments.
Past News
Amphitheater Donation & Naming Opportunities
The Town of Zionsville announced that an anonymous donor has agreed to fund a future amphitheater at the Carpenter Nature Preserve. The Foundation celebrates the first major gift at the Preserve since its sale by the Carpenters to the Town of Zionsville. We hope this important milestone is the first of many! Learn about other naming opportunities.
Monarch Watch Grant
The Zionsville Parks Foundation is thrilled to partner with Monarch Watch again this spring to help preserve monarch butterflies.
A Busy Spring Supporting our Parks
The Zionsville Parks Foundation has been a proud sponsor and partner of the Zionsville Department of Parks and Recreation this spring. Learn about what we have been up to.
Fundraising Success
The Zionsville Parks Foundation has been busy behind the scenes working to get private philanthropy for the Carpenter Nature Preserve. We are proud to announce four major gifts so far. Thank you to these donors!
Award Honors the Carpenters
At the dedication of the Carpenter Nature Preserve on October 5th, the office of Indiana Governor Eric J. Holcomb presented Jim and Nancy Carpenter with the prestigious Sagamore of the Wabash Award!
2022 In Review
The Zionsville Parks Foundation supported our green spaces in a variety of ways last year. We were very proud to support the Town of Zionsville Parks & Recreation Department. Thank you for supporting us throughout the year. Take a look below at what you helped us do in 2022.
Nature Preserve Momentum
The Zionsville Parks & Recreation Department has received far-reaching support in the State of Indiana over the last year for the Carpenter Nature Preserve project—$9 million in private and public funds.
Carpenter Nature Preserve Dedication
The Town of Zionsville, the Zionsville Parks Foundation and community supporters gathered at the site of Carpenter Nature Preserve on October 5, 2023, to celebrate an historic milestone in the creation of Zionsville’s newest park!
Thank You & Update
We’ve been busy in our first full year as the Zionsville Parks Foundation. Hear from our Board of Directors President on the ways we’ve been supporting our community and its green spaces.
Nature Park Planning Underway
It has been a year since the acquisition of the the 216-acre former Wolf Run Golf Course, now the Carpenter Nature Preserve. Master planing for Zionsville’s future largest nature park is underway!
Community Enrichment Grant
We’re excited to share the Foundation was awarded a Community Enrichment Grant by the Town of Zionsville to support our marketing efforts.
Welcome to the Foundation!
Our founder & president, Nancy Carpenter, welcomes all to the new Zionsville Parks Foundation and talks about what’s ahead.
New Camp Scholarships!
We believe that every child deserves the wonder of the great outdoors, and we’re excited to support the Town of Zionsville’s Parks & Recreation Department camps by offering a brand new camp scholarship program.
Tuesday is Coming!
Giving season is upon us. Consider supporting the Zionsville Parks Foundation for the first time on Tuedsay, November 30th.