Concert series highlights Indian Creek Nature Center

CEDAR RAPIDS - Attendance is up dramatically at Indian Creek Nature Center this summer, and an upcoming concert series aims to continue that trend.

After opening its 'Amazing Space” building in September 2016, the center has seen a surge in visitors and has been pushing more innovative programming, said Marketing and Development Manager Lindsey Flannery.

In 2015, Indian Creek Nature Center had 2,000 casual visitors in the entire year. This year, it had close to 1,000 visitors in May alone.

The center, which boasts sustainable features like solar panels and a geothermal system, has been a boon to attendance, Flannery said, as people have come out to tour the building. Officials responded by expanding summer hours this year - from April to October the center is open 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Thursday, 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Friday and Saturday and noon to 6 p.m. Sunday. They used to be closed on Mondays, but a recent Monday saw 90 casual visitors.

In addition to the 'casual” visitors, those that show up to see the building, shop in the Creekside Gift Shop or walk on the grounds, increased programming is bringing out visitors.

Much of that programming focuses on adults. The Nature Center, which has operated on Otis Road SE since 1974, has always had kid-friendly activities, but new offerings like free weekly outdoor yoga classes and farm-to-table-dinners have attracted an older crowd.

Flannery said drawing new audiences fits into Indian Creek's wider mission of education and protecting the environment. That's the thinking behind 'Concerts at the Creek,” a live music series that starts Saturday with Carrie Newcomer. She will perform on the Nature Center's patio, with future concerts planned at Indian Creek's outdoor amphitheater.

'We know that only people who care about the natural world and are connected to it are going to fight to protect it,” Flannery said. 'If people aren't seeking out trails but love live music, they might come out here and then think, ‘Wow, this is really beautiful.' ”

In addition to attracting adults, Indian Creek staff members plan to expand outreach to older kids; new Director of Education Kelli Kennon-Lane came to the center from Grant Wood Area Education Agency and plans to focus some of her efforts on programming aimed at teenagers.

'The majority of our field trips now are elementary students,” she said. 'I would like to develop more programming for older youth, especially at-risk high school and junior high students.”

After all, the Amazing Space isn't just for kids at the center's yearly Maple Syrup Festival or families hiking on the trails, Flannery said. It's meant to be a place for everyone.

'As a community nonprofit, we exist for the community,” she said. 'We want to draw people who aren't traditional nature buffs.”

l Comments: (319) 398-8434; alison.gowans@thegazette.com

If You Go

l What: Concerts at the Creek

l Where: Indian Creek Nature Center, 5300 Otis Road SE, Cedar Rapids.

l When: Carrie Newcomer with Drew Nelson at 7 p.m. Saturday, Elizabeth Moen with Anthony Worden and MacMillan and Spengler at 6:30 p.m. July 29, Alisabeth von Presley with Strays at 6:30 p.m. Aug. 5 and Andy Frasco & the U.N. with Uniphonics at 6:30 p.m. Aug. 12. Doors open at 6 p.m. for all shows.

l Cost: $18 in advance, $23 at the door.

l Details: indiancreeknaturecenter.org/gallery/concerts.