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First Evansville Regional ECO Tour scheduled for June
Tourists and residents can enjoy and celebrate the natural ecological treasures
in the area on Saturday, June 14, and Sunday, June 15, when the Pigeon Creek
Greenway Passage (PCGP) sponsors the Evansville region’s first ECO Tour in
various venues across the area.
The ECO Tour will mark the local observation of National Trails Day, an annual
event of the American Hiking Society, celebrating trails across the country by
promoting trail awareness, conservation and appreciation. Over 3,000 events are
planned nationwide. A local ceremony will be held at 10 a.m. Friday, June 13, at
the Pagoda Visitors Center on the Evansville river front.
Highlights of ECO Tour 2003 include the always-popular Reptile Invasion at
Wesselman Woods Nature Preserve, a special viewing of the 2,000-gallon ORSANCO
aquarium, and tours of the Howell Wetlands, Evansville Museum Transportation
Center (EMTRAC) and Pigeon Creek Greenway Passage. Events are also planned at
Burdette Park, Angel Mounds, Mesker Park Zoo, Audubon Park and many other
locations throughout the region.
But ECO Tour 2003 doesn’t stop at sundown. Events planned into the evening
include a Sunset Safari and Dinner at Mesker Park Zoo & Botanic Garden, a
riverboat ride and dinner aboard the “Chattanooga Star”, and a Night Sky
Presentation at the Evansville Museum of Arts, History &Science’s Koch
Planetarium.
“An ECO Tour fosters nature-based tourism,” said Gail Riecken, chair of the
Education and Marketing Committee of the PCGP that is organizing the tour.
“This first ECO Tour will offer recreational and educational experiences that,
we hope, will encourage greater understanding of the natural and cultural
resources of this area,” Riecken said.
An Evansville regional ECO Guide and a full schedule of ecotourism events are
available online at
www.evansvilleecotour.com. For more information and/or a brochure with a
schedule of events, contact
Rebecca Chandley at (812) 435-6130. Some events require reservations and carry a
fee while many others are free of charge.
Clem Frank Nature Preserve
We were finally able to dedicate the Clem Frank Nature Preserve. This lovely
piece of woodland was dedicated on a great day with lots of people in
attendance. Included in the program was an introduction by Mayor Russ Lloyd,
Jr., a very interesting discussion by Mr. Frank on how the development began and
why he donated the land, and a presentation by Shawn Dickerson, the City
Arborist. Mr. Dickerson discussed the importance of trees and has offered to
help the neighborhood in the care of the area. Mrs. Judy Gray, the president of
the Four Rivers Resource, Conservation and Development Area (Four Rivers RC&D)
told about the programs and interests of the Four Rivers RC&D. This organization
is the umbrella organization for the Wabash River Heritage Land Trust who has
assumed responsibility for the area. By placing the Preserve in a land trust, it
guarantees it may never be disturbed and will remain as is forever.
Sam Wentzel, the president of the Western Terrace Neighborhood Association,
reported his organization has a Memorandum of Understanding with Four Rivers
taking responsibility for the maintenance of the Preserve. Western Terrace
Neighborhood Association served some wonderful cookies and drinks for those
attending. There are some good cooks in that association.
Fred Padget, president of WIA, elaborated on the value of the area to the west
side and informed the group that WIA paid the survey fee of $2,500.
Unfortunately, our day was marred by the miscreant who stole the beautiful signs
provided by Four Rivers to commemorate the donation. Two signs, with a
cost of about $300 each, were taken. WIA’S Parks Committee is offering a
$100 reward for any information leading to the recovery of the signs. The
committee will also ask the Courts to that 200 hours of community service and
payment of sign re-installation costs be assessed to anyone convicted of this
vandalism.
Sorry to See an Old Park Go – But We Will Welcome a New One
The WIA Parks Committee has been advised by the Evansville Department of Parks
and Recreation that the widening of the Lloyd Expressway will take the West Side
Nut Club Park completely. This will be a hardship on the neighbors who really
utilize the facility. It has some beautiful trees in it and is a great place to
park during Fall Festival.
However, the state must replace the park with another one in some other place.
The Parks Department is looking at several sites, and will inform us which one
they have chosen at the appropriate time.
Shirley James, Chair
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