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. 

Our keynote speaker, Doug Boles, President of the Indianapolis Motor Speedway and IndyCar, spoke of how deeply parks are woven into the DNA of Zionsville. Mayor John Stehr echoed this sentiment, emphasizing that parks are part of the town’s ethos and highlighting the crucial role the Zionsville Parks Foundation plays – not only in supporting the Carpenter Nature Preserve, but also in bolstering other parks and essential nature educational programs.

Nancy Tikijian Is the 2025 Acorn Award Honoree

A special part of our Parks & Pastries celebration is recognizing community contributions to Zionsville’s parks and green spaces. This year, the Zionsville Parks Foundation proudly presented the Acorn Award to Nancy Tikijian for her decades of service to our community’s parks.

Nancy has been a true champion for Zionsville’s parks and natural areas: she served on the Zionsville Park Board, overseeing her beloved Starkey Park; was a charter member of the Zion Nature Center board; helped launch what is now the Zionsville Tree Board, leading to Zionsville’s designation as a Tree City; and supported the installation of  bluebird nest boxes at Starkey Park and Mulberry Fields. Not resting on her laurels, Nancy continues to advocate for the natural world by helping to organize successful Earth Day events at Hoosier Village.

To honor her contributions, a bur oak tree will be planted at the Zionsville Rail Trailhead.