State Park Centennial Challenges Honor Park History

INDIANAPOLIS - Visit five 100-year-old Indiana State Parks to enjoy their new challenges to help celebrate the history of Indiana State Parks. 

Parks with centennial challenges include McCormick’s Creek State Park (est. 1916), Turkey Run State Park (est. 1916), Clifty Falls State Park (est. 1920), Pokagon State Park (est. 1925), and Indiana Dunes State Park (est. 1925). 

The challenges kick off the celebration of this year’s 100th anniversaries of Indiana Dunes State Park and Pokagon State Park. For a hundred years, these parks have provided northern Indiana with natural playgrounds and conservation of unique natural resources. 

“We have challenges at many parks that provide opportunities for physical activity through hiking, kayaking, or canoeing,” said Ginger Murphy, deputy director for stewardship for Indiana State Parks. “We are happy to add these opportunities for Hoosiers to open a window into some of the people and places who helped to shape our state’s history.” 

Each challenge explores the history of the respective park’s natural resources, pre-park establishment, and important historical structures and stories. Guests who complete a challenge earn a unique sticker for that park. The instructions for each challenge can be found at dnr.IN.gov/healthy.

The Indiana State Parks system was established in 1916 as a centennial gift to Hoosiers. Explore the history of Indiana State Parks as it relates to the history of our state at on.IN.gov/INStateParkHistory. 

Guests who enjoy history may also want to check out the CCC Challenge that explores the Civilian Conservation Corps at Ouabache State Park, also found at dnr.IN.gov/healthy.