John M. Craddock Wetland Nature Preserve

John M. Craddock Wetland Nature Preserve The John M. Craddock Wetland Nature Preserve includes a gravel walking path, a shelter, and bicycle racks at the entrances. Native plantings enhance this area.

The gates may be closed, however there is a pedestrian path around them (always open). Craddock Wetland Nature Preserve is part of Red Tail Land Conservancy's network of parks. Craddock park is located in the center of Muncie, Indiana, next to former industrial sites and adjacent to the White River. The Wetland Nature Preserve began as a gift of land to the City of Muncie to honor John M. Craddock

’s life-long public service commitment to saving and reviving the White River and the wildlife along its corridor. The Wetland Nature Preserve is an inner city habitat area for flora and fauna, an outdoor educational facility, and a passive respite located along the White River Greenway. A looped trail with an elevated boardwalk guides trail users, nature enthusiasts, educators and students through emergent and scrub-shrub wetlands, mesic prairies, and an upland wooded area to interpretive stations and overlooks. This is a multi-year project with aggressive invasive species control, construction, and maintenance of the wetlands. The site was divided into four distinct plant communities: emergent wetland, shrub-carr wetland, prairie, and upland woodland. The emergent wetland contained a large stand of hybrid cattails (Typha sp.), as well as a sedge meadow. A partnership Ball State University’s Landscape Architecture Department’s faculty and students created a Design-Build class which aided in the construction of the trail system. This has been a great educational opportunity as well as a cost-saving solution. Educational programs are now established here as well as general use.

If you're looking for some live music during your lunch break, stop by Craddock (at the structure). Maevyn Stone has a h...
04/12/2022

If you're looking for some live music during your lunch break, stop by Craddock (at the structure). Maevyn Stone has a harp ready to go!

Going live at the John M. Craddock Wetland Nature Preserve in just a few moments. See you soon!!

You may have found that it's a little difficult to get to Craddock recently. The Sanitary District is replacing a line i...
04/01/2022

You may have found that it's a little difficult to get to Craddock recently. The Sanitary District is replacing a line in the area. However, if you still want to make it out you can park at the Kitselman trailhead and walk over on the trail. Just be cautious of the work that's being done and be aware that you'll have to step over a pipeline to get to the entrance!

01/29/2021

It’s a beautiful day today! We encourage you to bundle up and go for a walk. However, today, the nature preserve is being mowed. This is yearly maintenance that helps keep the nature preserve healthy, but, the machines can be dangerous to passerby’s. So, please enjoy your walks at some of Red Tail or Muncie’s nearby parks and trails and we look forward to seeing you in the future!

09/26/2011

MUNCIE -- Biology professor Donald Ruch pointed out a native sunflower to Ball State University students surveying the John Craddock Wetland Nature Preserve on a recent Saturday.

04/27/2011

Ball State students have headed the design of the recreational and educational trail in the area since 2003.

Address

Corner Of Bunch Boulevard And Gavin St
Muncie, IN
47303

Website

Alerts

Be the first to know and let us send you an email when John M. Craddock Wetland Nature Preserve posts news and promotions. Your email address will not be used for any other purpose, and you can unsubscribe at any time.

Shortcuts

Share

Category