Running for the Trees: Happy Little 5K Funds Help Restore McCormick’s Creek

The 2023 tornado that tore through McCormick’s Creek State Park left trees uprooted, forced trails to close, and disturbed habitats. Last summer, with park staff diligently working to restore the property’s ecosystems, a different force emerged to help them do so. Generous support from the participants of the Happy Little 5K provided the park with new resources to help manage invasive species in its Wolf Cave Nature Preserve, an area that was heavily damaged and left vulnerable.

It’s common for invasives to attempt to take over an area after a heavy disturbance, and at McCormick’s Creek, tree of heaven (Ailanthus altissima) is doing just that. A rapidly growing tree native to China, tree of heaven is an aggressive and quickly reproducing species.

Tree of heaven grows among new growth in one of the tornado-damaged areas of McCormick’s Creek State Park.

As we explored McCormick’s Creek in August, property staff pointed out other invasive species they’re also trying to manage, but tree of heaven’s unique attributes made it the primary focus.

“Many of the invasives we regularly deal with just destroy native ground cover, but tree of heaven is unique,” said Jessica Filer, the park’s interpretive naturalist. “It outgrows native trees and will smother out their necessary sunlight very quickly.”

Tree of heaven requires focused management practices because of its aggressive root system. With the ability to spread its roots hundreds of feet, sprout a seemingly unlimited number of new shoots, and change the acidity of the soil, it must be managed using both cutting and herbicide. Using a portion of the Happy Little 5K funds, McCormick’s Creek hired seasonal staff specifically trained to take on the rapidly expanding tree of heaven problem. Ultimately, their work will help support healthy forests on the property, giving native trees the time and space they need to grow.

Property staff targeting a large tree of heaven plant growing among native tulip trees.

“We are grateful to Hoosiers’ support for this important work,” said Brandt Baughman, director of State Parks. “The work funded by the Happy Little 5K will help champion healthy forests at Indiana’s oldest state park.”

While portions of Trail 5 are still closed due to tornado damage, the Wolf Cave Nature Preserve section of the trail, including access to Wolf Cave, is open and ready for you to explore.

This spring, as the hillsides fill up with dense new growth, you can envision the challenging work required for McCormick’s Creek staff to remove the tree of heaven. Their continuous efforts, in combination with your support of the Happy Little 5K, are allowing McCormick’s Creek to slowly heal and let native species begin to thrive once again.

Registration for the 2026 Happy Little 5K is open until March 1 or until the event reaches its limit. Register today and Run for the Trees this spring.