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.
UPDATE: The Town Council meeting has been moved to Monday, April 10th.
Funding thus far has included support from the Indiana Department of Natural Resources (DNR), the Next Level Conservation Trust, a grant signed off by Governor Holcomb, the Land and Water Conservation Fund, and others. In order for the Town of Zionsville to acquire the Carpenter Nature Preserve, the Zionsville Parks and Recreation Department is requesting a bond not to exceed $5.5 million during the April 10th Town Council Meeting.
The Carpenter Nature Preserve is appraised at $6,020,000. Jim and Nancy Carpenter, who bought the property in 2021, have agreed to sell the property below the appraised value to the Town of Zionsville for $4,520,000.
With the support of the Zionsville community the Carpenter Nature Preserve will become the first park in Union Township and the largest nature park in Boone County! Learn more about the park and read important FAQs here.
Funding thus far has included support from the Indiana Department of Natural Resources (DNR), the Next Level Conservation Trust, a grant signed off by Governor Holcomb, the Land and Water Conservation Fund, and others. In order for the Town of Zionsville to acquire the Carpenter Nature Preserve, the Zionsville Parks and Recreation Department is requesting a bond not to exceed $5.5 million during the April 10th Town Council Meeting.
The Carpenter Nature Preserve is appraised at $6,020,000. Jim and Nancy Carpenter, who bought the property in 2021, have agreed to sell the property below the appraised value to the Town of Zionsville for $4,520,000.
With the support of the Zionsville community the Carpenter Nature Preserve will become the first park in Union Township and the largest nature park in Boone County! Learn more about the park and read important FAQs here.
Grants and donations secured to support this project include:
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Next Level Conservation Trust – $3 million toward reimbursement of acquisition of the preserve; utilized toward development of the park supported by Governor Holcomb
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Land and Water Conservation Fund – $500,000 toward development of the park
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Private donation – $1.5 million bargain sale price on land acquisition
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IN DNR SWMP – $4 million toward restoration of high quality habitats once the property becomes a park
The vote to issue a Carpenter Nature Preserve bond not to exceed $5.5 million will be before the Zionsville Town Council (expected to be the meeting on Monday, April 10th at 7:30 a.m.. Each grant is contingent on the Town acquiring the preserve and the property becoming open to the public in a three-year timespan.
Contingent on the bonding process, the preliminary plan is for the Carpenter Nature Preserve to open in late 2025 or early 2026.
If you would like to support the preservation and purchase of the Carpenter Nature Preserve you may write an email or call the Zionsville Town Council expressing your support.
