Dani’s Dreams currently has two exciting trails/nature centers in Hancock County!
Outdoor Education Trail @ Sugar Creek Township Park
Outdoor Education Center & Go Green Trail @ Zion Lutheran School
See more details below:
Outdoor Education Trail @ Sugar Creek Township Park
4136 S 700 W
New Palestine, IN 46163
The trail is across the field, east of the baseball diamonds. Look for the large Dani’s Dreams sign at the entrance of the trail!
This environmental education trail entertains and educates visitors to Sugar Creek Township Park. The trail features 4 kid-friendly activity and learning stations that focus on important topics:
- Sustainability
- Native Indiana trees & plants
- Wildlife
- Solar Energy and the Hoosier Riverwatch
Look for the signs and learning stations!
Farm to Table – Ever wonder where the food you eat began before it ended up on your table? Here you will learn more about where your food comes from!
Here Comes the Sun – Learn how solar power works and is a great source of sustainable energy!
Butterflies Up Close – Here you can learn more about these amazing insects! If you look closely, you may spot a few in our butterfly garden!
This trail was made possible by partnerships with many community, corporate, and individual partners! See them here.
Outdoor Education Center & Go Green Trail @ Zion Lutheran School
(At Zion Lutheran School)
6513 W 300 S
New Palestine, IN 46163
This outdoor park/trail area is open by appointment and is perfect for these community groups:
- Teachers and classrooms
- Boy Scout/Girl Scout Leaders & Troops
- Preschools
- Daycare Centers
- Church and Youth Groups
- Homeschool Co-Ops
Come connect with the world through fun activities:
- Dig for fossils!
- Touch and feed butterflies!
- Plant a seed or tree and watch it grow!
- Watch birds and small animals!
- Take care of your earth!
- See solar energy in action!
The Education Center focuses on environmental education for preschool through 8th graders in Hancock County. The park features several learning centers, including a nature trail and the Go Green Discovery Center with interactive exhibits and experiments in solar and wind energy.
Have fun and learn in the biggest classroom ever— the great outdoors!
Explore the Learning Centers:
- Butterfly Garden
- Bird Watching
- Tree Seedling Nursery
- Archaeological Dig
- Go Green Discovery Center
- Indiana Native Plans
Most events are offered free-of-charge.
Activities vary depending on the season, but there’s always something fun to do! Contact us to find out about current seasonal activities.
Outdoor Education Center & Go Green Center
- Covered picnic pavilion
- Wheelchair-accessible trail (¼ mile long)
- Go Green Discovery Center (solar-powered building for hosting education events)
- Raised outdoor tables for experiments or discovery
- Butterfly gardens
- “Archaeological dig” station
- And more!
Fill out a contact request to schedule a tour or get more information!
You may also call Zion Lutheran School at 317-861-4210 or email info@danisdreamscorp.org.
Community support is always needed for maintaining and developing the Learning Centers! Donations and grants are the center’s only funding sources and are tax-deductible. Please take a look at the ways you can help to continue to make our learning centers great.
This trail was made possible by partnerships with many community, corporate, and individual partners!
Trails Gallery
History of the Outdoor Education Center & Go Green Center
The Dani Griffin Innovation in Education Memorial Fund at Zion Lutheran School began in the fall of 2007 to celebrate 150 years of Christian education in Hancock County. The fund and learning center were established in response to a need for hands-on science experiences for the 100-plus preschool through eighth grade students at Zion.
The center is open to all students in Hancock County, Scouts, preschools, church and community groups.
