About Us

Skiles Test Nature Park has endured a checkered and neglected history that by 2022 left it scarred with remnants from its past as a working farm and a place where the eccentric lifestyle of Skiles Test and his multiple inventions played out. During this time, park visitors were greeted by broken, defaced and bullet-ridden signage; a three-legged bench braced by a pile of rocks; picnic tables in need of repair; a dozen sections of sewer pipe and other concrete debris; rusting remnants of an industrial past; and more than 1,000 feet of rusty farm and security fencing.

In the summer of 2022, a small group of concerned neighbors and park users came together to address these rundown conditions. At this time, our group was a subcommittee of Binford Growth & Redevelopment (BRAG), a nonprofit neighborhood organization whose mission is the commercial and residential enhancement of northeast Indianapolis. Together with BRAG, we began discussing park needs with the Indianapolis Office of Land Stewardship and Indy Parks and Recreation.

Through these outreach activities, we discovered that a Friends of Skiles Test Nature Park organization had been formed in 2006, and while the Friends group was not actively meeting in 2022, the organization was still intact and had four board members who were interested in improving conditions in the park. Eventually the two groups came together as the Friends of Skiles Test Nature Park Inc., an all-volunteer nonprofit organization that works in collaboration with Indy Parks and Recreation, BRAG and a host of volunteers and supporters to improve the aesthetic and environmental quality of the park.

Today, we are working to develop Skiles Test Nature Park into a high-quality nature park known for its diverse natural habitat, well-maintained appearance and welcoming, safe environment. Since we began our work in 2022, much progress has been made, but there’s more to do.

Mission

The Friends of Skiles Test Nature Park is committed to preserving, enhancing and maintaining the diverse natural habitat of Skiles Test Nature Park as a place for community, wellness and the study of nature

Key Improvements

2022: Main entrance to park redesigned.

2023: Defaced and bullet-ridden signage removed; park benches and picnic tables upgraded.

2024: Interpretative sign installed that highlights park’s history.

2024-2025: 12 sections of sewer pipe and six concrete platforms removed.

2024-2025: Nearly 1,000 feet of old farm fencing removed.

2024-2025: Several acres of bush honeysuckle removed from eastern ridge and northwest section of park.

2025: Unified trail system with nearly 5 miles of foot trails completed.

2025: Five concrete rest areas along Skiles Test Trail power-sprayed.