Potato Creek State Park
Potato Creek State Park | |
---|---|
Location in Indiana Location in United States | |
Location | St. Joseph County, Indiana, USA |
Nearest city | North Liberty, Indiana |
Coordinates | 41°33′09″N 86°20′53″W / 41.5525467°N 86.3480649°W |
Area | 3,840 acres (1,550 ha) |
Created | June 6, 1977 |
Operated by | Indiana Department of Natural Resources |
Visitors | 572,183 (in 2018–2019)[1] |
Website | Official website |
Potato Creek State Park is an
History
Native Americans hunted and fished in the area, as well as collected tubers known as "wild potatoes" from the creek banks. In the 1830s, after the
About a century after the area was converted into farmland (and as many fields were becoming less productive), Darcy Worster began re-creating natural areas, as well as lobbying to dam the creek to create a reservoir for fishing and recreation activities. He often sent hand-crafted insects to "bug" state legislators. Although his efforts were interrupted by World War II, the reservoir was created in 1977 and the resulting lake is named after him.[4]
Indiana Governor
In 2006, the area was internationally designated as an important bird area, due to the migratory birds which visit, as well as native resident birds including osprey and wild turkey as well as songbirds.[2] As of 2006[update], some have advocated building a lodge within the park to supplement the campground store, similar to the lodges in seven other (but older) Indiana state parks.[6]
Facilities
- Paved Bicycle Trail - 3.2 miles (5.1 km)
- Mountain BikeTrail - 6.6 miles (10.6 km)
- Hiking Trails
- Nature Center
- Wildlife Observation Area
- Cultural Arts Programs
- Picnicking
- Playground Equipment
- Swimming / Beach
- Fishing
- Fish Cleaning Station
- Shelter Reservations
- Boat Launch Ramps
- Boat (only Electric trollingmotors)
- Bridle Trails
- Cabins / 17
- Camping - Reservations recommended
- Class A - 287 sites
- Horsemen's Class A - 70 sites
- Youth Tent Areas
- Camp Store
- Dumping Station
- Winter Activities
Equipment rentals
References
- ^ a b "2018 / 2019 Estimated Fiscal Year Visits for Indiana State Parks ~ Alphabetical" (PDF). Indiana Department of Natural Resources. Retrieved November 2, 2021.
- ^ a b "Potato Creek State Park" (PDF). Indiana Department of Natural Resources. Retrieved September 29, 2018.
- ^ Karst, Frederick. "Hike into nature's past at Potato Creek". NW Times. Retrieved September 29, 2018.
- ^ "Links to the Past: Michiana History - Record Detail - Potato Creek". St. Joseph County Public Library. Retrieved September 29, 2018.
- ^ "Richard William Mangus". Palmer Funeral Homes. Retrieved September 29, 2018.
- ^ a b "Visions for Potato Creek". South Bend Tribune. Retrieved September 29, 2018.
- ^ Bill Friend, "Searching for a solution on property taxes" Logansport Pharos Tribune February 14, 2008