Old fencing to be removed from Eagle Creek Park - 13 WTHR Indianapolis

Over 50,000 pounds of fencing will be removed from Eagle Creek Park and recycled.

RecycleForce is behind the effort to remove the eight-foot barbed wire fencing. Once it's gone, wildlife in the park will be able to roam safely. The removal of the fencing will also help beautify Eagle Creek Park, which is the nation's fourth largest municipal park.

RecycleForce team members, under the direction of the Peace Learning Center, are serving as volunteers to Indy Parks in removing the fencing. RecycleForce is a recycling social enterprise that trains formerly incarcerated people to prepare them for re-entering the workforce.

The fence dates back to the early 1930s, where it originally surrounded J.K. Lilly, Jr.'s private library (now the park's Ornithology Center) and Lilly Lodge. Since the park has exchanged ownership, some of the fencing has been removed. Meanwhile, the remaining fence has deteriorated.

The Peace Learning Center, with assistance from volunteer groups, has helped remove much of the old fencing since moving to Eagle Creek Park in 1997. RecycleForce will remove the remainder of the old fencing, haul it away at no cost to the City of Indianapolis, and recycle the materials.

The project is expected to be complete by July 13, 2012, depending on heat and other weather conditions. RecycleForce estimates it will recycle 50,000 pounds of steel upon the project's completion.