As Executive Director at Mesker Park Zoo & Botanic Garden, Erik Beck crosses paths with residents and visitors alike — and sees first-hand what interests people in Evansville.
Tell us about the activities and events that resonate with area residents.
I think Evansville, like most communities, is really looking for those experience-based activities. It is not enough for a family to attend an event or visit your attraction; they want to be engaged and have activities for all ages to participate as a family or individually. And if it is a good value, then you have hit all the boxes. A great example for the zoo is our endangered species animal carousel. It is a year-round attraction, and for a lot of families, it is a “must do” ride during their visit.
What’s drawing visitors to town?
Families will drive in from Central Kentucky or Southern Illinois looking for those experiences that are family-friendly, safe, and outdoors. The more unique the experience, the more opportunities there are for drawing the attention of those guests.
How do you spend your free time?
I am an English Premier League soccer fan, so most Saturday mornings, you can find me at Patsy Hartigan’s Irish Pub watching my favorite team, Arsenal. We have an active supporters group here called the River City Gooners, and we are there cheering on our team no matter the time difference between Evansville and the United Kingdom. Patsy Hartigan’s is showing all the FIFA World Cup action this summer and will be a great place to watch the matches with fellow soccer fans.
Where do you go to enjoy the outdoors?
The natural beauty of the river cannot be beat. Whether that is a trail at Angel Mounds, Newburgh’s Rivertown Trail, or a stroll on the Pigeon Creek Greenway Passage, there is nothing like being around water to just think about breathing and being in the moment.
What makes this community a great place to live?
Evansville has a variety of venues for entertainment, and they are all centralized around our Downtown district. It is really special to have that many choices of venues for a show, concert, or sports event in a community our size. We are really fortunate to have several cultural and educational/recreational facilities for a city with fewer than 200,000 people: a fantastic library system, the Philharmonic, Museum of Arts, History & Science, Angel Mounds, African American Museum, a zoo, Wesselman Woods, and a children’s museum.
What additions would make living here even better?
I would love to see an outdoor winter holiday market start up. I have visited a few in other countries, and they are growing in popularity in the United States. Outdoor winter activities, entertainment, and warm beverages and holiday treats make for a really special event at a festive time of year.
Share some under-the-radar places or ways to have fun.
Go fast without leaving your seat. Fastest Lap e-racing on North Park Drive is a great place to test your Formula 1 skills or really any car you can think of on any track. Their simulators are top notch, and the crew will walk you through if you’re a novice or a pro. It’s a great time for a few laps or to have an event there. It is not just for kids. Memo on Main Street is such a cool place to go for art supplies, fountain pens, paper, and unique gifts, not to mention they also have art and cookie-making classes. Grab a coffee from up the street, and I guarantee you will pick up something when you visit Memo.
Answers edited for clarity and length by Jodi Keen
