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Multitude of improvements made at Indiana state parks this year
Guests may notice a variety of improvements that enhance campgrounds, restrooms, trails and other facilities in the Indiana State Parks system of 24 state parks and eight reservoir properties as the traditional summer recreation season gets under way.
Skilled park staff completed many of the improvements. Partners and volunteers helped with many projects. And non-profit friends groups contributed thousands of dollars and hours.
Collectively, Indiana State Park properties manage more than 2,000 buildings, 700 miles of trails, 636 hotel/lodge rooms, 17 marinas, 75 launching ramps, 17 swimming pools, 15 beaches, 7,701 campsites, more than 200 shelters, 160 or so playgrounds and 150 cabins.
Creative and dedicated employees stretch the dollars that you pay when you enter the gate, rent a campsite, launch a boat or attend a special workshop or program, Ginger Murphy, deputy director of Indiana State Parks, said.
Examples of system-wide improvements include:
| | New, efficient LED lighting in various buildings, from offices to comfort stations. |
| | Various small campground improvements in different locations, ranging from leveling and adding gravel to sites to new fixtures, sinks and dividers in comfort stations, and upgrades from 30- to 50-amp service. |
| | Invasive plant removal, prescribed fire and habitat improvements totaling several thousand acres. |
| | Fish habitat improvements at several reservoirs. |
Examples of site-specific improvements include:
| | Complete renovation of 20 rustic cabins at Turkey Run State Park and of the rentable officers homes at Fort Harrison State Park. |
| | New or renovated courtesy docks at Brookville Lake, Cecil M. Harden Lake, and Spring Mill Lake at Spring Mill State Park. |
| | New trees planted in several locations to offset the loss of ash trees to emerald ash borer at Mounds and Lincoln state parks, and to restore open oak woodland habitats at Indiana Dunes and Prophetstown state parks. |
Area parks and the improvements they have undergone include:
Cagles Mill Lake (Lieber and Cataract Falls SRAs)
Several campground comfort stations were updated.
New water fill stations and dump stations were installed at the campground.
A new pool liner was installed in the aquatic center.
Several buildings were reroofed.
Floats and railings were replaced on the fishing pier.
Cecil M. Harden Lake (Raccoon SRA)
The Lakeview campground comfort station was renovated.
New fencing was installed at the campground entrance and along the ridge in Lakeview campground.
New energy efficient LED interior lighting and new exterior ground lights were installed at all comfort stations.
The courtesy dock for Mansfield ramp was renovated, and lighting has been updated on the boat rental dock.
Repairs were completed to the front and side stairs at Mansfield Mill.
Additional playgrounds were upgraded to accessibility-approved rubber mulch.
The campsite pads in Raccoon Run campground are being repaved.
Cagles Mill Lake (Lieber and Cataract Falls SRAs)
Several campground comfort stations were updated.
New water fill stations and dump stations were installed at the campground.
A new pool liner was installed in the aquatic center.
Several buildings were reroofed.
Floats and railings were replaced on the fishing pier.
Cecil M. Harden Lake (Raccoon SRA)
The Lakeview campground comfort station was renovated.
New fencing was installed at the campground entrance and along the ridge in Lakeview campground.
New energy efficient LED interior lighting and new exterior ground lights were installed at all comfort stations.
The courtesy dock for Mansfield ramp was renovated, and lighting has been updated on the boat rental dock.
Repairs were completed to the front and side stairs at Mansfield Mill.
Additional playgrounds were upgraded to accessibility-approved rubber mulch.
New parking curbs are being installed to replace those that have deteriorated.
The campsite pads in Raccoon Run campground are being repaved.
Turkey Run State Park and Shades State Park
Both the north and south comfort stations in the modern campground were renovated.
A new roof, gutters, hand dryers, mirrors, partitions and interior benches were installed at west comfort station.
New split-rail fence was installed to Sunset Point and to the Log Church and Lieber Memorial.
The backpacking campground at Shades will have a new vault toilet facility soon.
Several hundred hazard trees were removed from roadsides at Shades State Park.
Twelve rooms on the third floor of Turkey Run Inn were renovated with new carpet, wall repairs, and wallpaper.
Energy-efficient LED lights were installed in Turkey Run Inns conference facilities.
The Roost cabin was improved with a new roof, back porch sidewalk, entry doors, storm windows, and new
drywall and paint in the guest bedrooms.
The inns five quad-plex cabins were completely remodeled.
Renovation of the family cabin is under way with completion expected by early July.