This page is dedicated to aiding members of the community in accessing resources local to them. Found below is a list of organizations that offer a variety of resources to LaGrange County.
Please email lagrangeresources@gmail.com with any questions or for an organization to be added to this list.
Visit the Facebook page for events happening in LaGrange County.
*Some organizations listed below may offer services in multiple categories, be sure to check out their page!*
Domestic Battery Assistance
Elijah Haven Crisis Intervention Center
Community Service
The Arc of LaGrange County Thrift Store
Crisis Intervention
Indiana Township Emergency Assistance
National Maternal Mental Health Hotline
Education
Financial Assistance
Family/Pregnancy Assistance
Family and Social Services Administration
WIC (Woman, Infants, and Children)
Food Assistance
LaGrange County Clothes and Food Basket
Salvation Army Mobile Food Pantry
Health Care
Housing Assistance
Job Assistance
Legal Assistance
Rehabilitation
Adult and Teen Challenge Northern Indiana
Four County Transitional Living
Salvation Army Adult Rehabilitation Center
Senior Services
LaGrange County Council on Aging
Substance Abuse/Mental Health
Alcoholics Anonymous and Narcotics Anonymous
Support Groups
Transportation
LaGrange County Area Transit (LCAT)
Veteran's Services
Victim Assistance
Indiana Trafficking Victim Assistance Program
Youth Programing
LaGrange Communities Youth Centers (LCYC)
Having trouble finding the resource you are looking for?
Try calling 211 or visiting https://in211.communityos.org/ for more resources available near you.
Events at Parks Department
Listed below are some organizations in or near LaGrange County that offer community service opportunities:
Listed below are service providers in LaGrange County that can complete substance use and mental health evaluations:
The park system has several facilities available for daily rental to enjoy a day at the park.
Reservations may be made up to one year in advance. All rental rates are subject to change without notice.
Indoor Facilities
Open-Air Facilities
Daily Rental allows access to the rental facility only on the day of rental during open park hours. Pine Knob Clubhouse & Maple Wood Nature Center: 8am -9m all year. Dallas Lake Lodge: 8am-9pm all season.
Weekend Rental allows access to rental facility on days of rental during open park hours only, as follows: Friday 3:30pm-park closing; Saturday 8am-park closing; and Sunday 8am-park closing. No overnights. Pine Knob Clubhouse & Maple Wood Nature Center: 8am-9m all year. Dallas Lake Lodge: 8am-9pm all season.
How to Rent a Facility
Step 1: Review facilities.
Step 2: Contact Park Office to check availability and to reserve. Call 260-854-2225 or email parks@lagrangecounty.in.gov. The park office will take your reservation and send you a rental agreement.
Step 3: You have 2 weeks to complete, sign, and return the rental agreement, with payment, to confirm your reservation. Rental fees are NOT REFUNDABLE. Paid rental fees will be applied to a rescheduled date.
Step 4: You will receive a copy of your paid rental agreement and receipt.
Step 5: If you reserved Pine Knob Clubhouse, Dallas Lodge, or Maple Wood Nature Center Classroom; you will need to pick up a building key with an additional refundable security deposit of $125 in cash or check only. You will receive the full deposit back when the key is turned in and if the facility is left in "as found" condition.
Thank you for enjoying our parks!
Email parks@lagrangecounty.in.gov or call 260-854-2225 to make a reservation.
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2024 Every Park Every Trail Fitness Walking Club |
2024 Patchwork Trail Nature Walks |
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Find other events HERE.
Facility Rental information HERE.
How to pay your fees online with a debit or credit card:
Go to www.paygov.us
In the upper right hand corner click on Make a Payment
On the next page: Select the state: Indiana
Jurisdiction: LaGrange County
Transaction: Clerk of the Court Miscellaneous Fee Non Traffic
On the next page: Enter your contact information, as well as your credit/debit card information.
To obtain your cause number you can find it on any court documents or contact the Probation Department.
You can also contact PayGov 24 hours a day, seven days a week at (866)480-8552.
There are so many ways to help!
Volunteer Opportunities |
Become a Park Volunteer
Friends of LaGrange County Parks
Be a sponsor
The Parks Dept. hosts a few annual events that are dependent on generous sponsors to provide valuable family education, entertainment, and outdoor recreation opportunities. Individuals, families, community service groups, and businesses are welcome as valued sponsors. Sponsorship shows the community what resources you value and allows you to share in something that benefits our community. Current sponsor-driven events and programs include:
Memorials |
Property Donations |
Do you have, or have you inherited, a property that would be suitable as a LaGrange County Park? Or, maybe you have a property that you could leave to the Parks Department through a will. This is how our Parks Department began, with property donated for public use and enjoyment!
Contact the Park Office with questions or for more information.
Monetary Donations |
Monetary donations may be shared at any time! Every donation is appreciated, whether a small donation or a business donation, it all adds up to success. You are welcome to specify a current project or event that you would like to support. Otherwise, all donations are used toward priority projects & events.
Here is a list of 2025 events and projects, in no particular order, that we are saving for now!
Donations may be mailed to the park office or given online HERE. Under "Purpose of Payment", enter "Donation" and, if desired, enter a specific project or event. A receipt will be issued.
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Things to do
Other Outside Treats
Other Maple Syrup Events -
2025 dates to be determined
Community Support
Maple Syrup Days is made possible by the generosity of local financial support. Grants received from LaGrange County REMC Roundup, LaGrange County Community Foundation, and/or LaGrange County Community Visitors Bureau help us provide free puppet shows and wagon rides for the public to enjoy.
Friends of LaGrange County Parks have been instrumental in the success of the pancake breakfast & syrup store.
TriKappa LaGrange Chapter volunteers every year to make all of the cotton candy in the syrup store.
Maple Syrup Days is also made possible through the efforts of the many interpreters and volunteers who offer their time and talents -- from backyard syrup demonstrations, wagon ride storytellers, sugar shack hosts, serving breakfast, completing sales in the syrup store, making kettle corn, and more.
"Maple Syrup Days" in the News:
Follow us on social media for up-to-date information, trivia, and any schedule changes!
See you there!
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Mission Statement "To develop and maintain a system of parks that preserves open space and natural areas, and offers outdoor recreation opportunities to the public." |
Park Board
The LaGrange County Park Board has a history of acquiring and preserving natural areas throughout the county.
Park Staff
Awarded Park Accomplishments The accomplishments of LCPR have been recognized many times. The most notable include:
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Brief History
In 1969, The LaGrange County Department of Parks & Recreation (LCPR) was established under the 1965 state park law with a five-member Park Board. The first Master Plan was developed in 1972 with the first official park rules adopted in 1977. LaGrange County Council adopted a new Park Board Ordinance in 1982.
Delt Church Park and David Rogers Memorial Park were among the first county park properties acquired and developed by LCPR. Delt Church Park was donated to LaGrange County in 1933 and David Rogers Park was bequeathed to LaGrange County in 1966; both properties were transferred to LCPR in 1972 for development, with amenities evolving and improving over the years.
Delt Church Park has become a favorite for the Amish Community. A mega-playground also makes this the go-to park in the area for families. This park also boasts the only 18-hole disc golf course in the area. A two-mile accessible trail now winds through the property. Three pavilions have been built and replaced since its beginning, along with adding 2 horse shelters and vault toilets.
Not far away is our David Rogers Memorial Park which is also nestled in a rural Amish community. Dr. David Rogers was one of the county's philanthropist pioneers, a land speculator, an herb doctor, and a naturalist. He was buried on site when he passed in 1871. This park was donated and later developed by creating a landscape surrounding a reconstructed village. The village is comprised of 7 historic log buildings, moved from locations within LaGrange County, and includes 4 houses, a barn, a smokehouse, and a performance stage. This has been a perfect venue for historic events, as a favorite rustic background for weddings, and as an outdoor classroom for Forest School.
Maple Wood Nature Center/LaGrange County Nature Preserve began with a 39-acre donation of property from Dr. & Mrs. Kenneth Lehman in 1985. Shortly after, the Nature Center was built to offer a learning center for the county. To further enhance the advantages of this property, LCPR started an annual event, "Maple Syrup Days," in 1991, to share the process of tapping trees, harvesting sap, and making maple syrup with the community. This event remains a favorite today. Improvements continued with a Sugar House addition and a new wood shed in 1994. In 1996, a 1200SF classroom was added to the west end of the original Nature Center. Later in 2000 and 2001, 64 more acres were acquired. A wetland/prairie restoration was implemented for a field near the road. 2003 brought a new sugar house for interpretive programs and the old sugar house was remodeled to become the current syrup store. Our trails meander through a neighboring 29-acre property owned by Acres Land Trust. In 2018, an outdoor kitchen was built for the Lions Club to prepare the pancake and sausage breakfast for Maple Syrup Days. The most recent improvements happened in 2021 with a 1200sf concrete pad installed at the east end of the Nature Center.
Dallas Lake Park began in 1989 with the property acquisition of a former YMCA camp on the southern shore of Dallas Lake. The main building was renovated to become a rental facility. A small building at the entrance once provided housing for the Park Naturalist, and now serves as the LCPR main office. In 2013, additional property, surrounding and including Pond Lil, was acquired and is now a dedicated State Nature Preserve. Dallas Lake Park also provides a public swimming beach. In 2016, the Sweetgum Pavilion was constructed along with grills, picnic tables, a water fountain, and a vault toilet. A new swimming pier system was installed in 2018 on the public beach.
Pine Knob Park, now our largest property at 254 acres, began as a 59-acre park donated to LCPR by the Pine Knob Conservation Club in 2004. LCPR continued the preservation legacy of the Conservation Club by continuing to restore and preserve the property, even as more property was acquired. This park offers unique amenities developed for the outdoor sportsman. Meteer Lake and Duff Lake offer quiet fishing; and, a 3D archery target trail offers opportunities to fine-tune archery skills. One rental facility, the renovated Clubhouse, is a favorite and is the only LCPR rental facility that is open year-round. The newest improvement includes the Mike Metz Fen Trail. This project added 2 miles of trails around Duff Lake and includes a shelter and restroom at the north end and a fishing dock on the west side.
Five more properties were acquired along the way for a current total of 10 County Park Properties. The additional 5 properties include Cedar Lake Beach, Wall Lake Beach, Shipshewana Lake Park, Duff Memorial Park, and Cedar Fen.
Cedar Lake Beach began with donated property with additional property acquired in 1990 to extend the beach.
Wall Lake Beach began with donated property in 1985. In 1988, 2 additional lots were acquired to help with parking space. This property is maintained as a public beach with picnic tables, port-o-john, and a trash can available during the summer season.
Shipshewana Lake Park became a county park in 1976. In 1981, an additional lot was donated to increase the park's size. In 1983 and 1996, improvements were made - including a pavilion, a new well, and a playground.
Duff Memorial Park was the tenth park and was donated in 1995. This 25-acre property is on Cedar Lake and is kept in its natural state with invasive control and plant restoration work planned.
Cedar Lake Fen is a 31-acre property acquired in 2020 on the east side of Cedar Lake. Efforts are to maintain/create a desirable habitat for endangered wildlife.
The first summer recreational program for children began in 1974 with summer day camps that rotated between 8 to 12 different locations throughout six weeks of summer and continued with this format through 1987. Today, LCPR offers 3 different summer day camp programs that fill 5 weeks each summer. Swim lessons began in 1975 and have been held at various county parks through the years. Dallas Lake Park is now the only location for summer swim lessons that can fill up to 6 weeks each summer. The first Forest School Program was held in the fall of 2020 with great success. Our naturalist now offers, and fills, a spring and fall session of Forest School, an outdoor nature-based class for young children. This program also meets many academic standards, making it a favorite for home-schooled youth.
Park publications began in 1980 with its first park brochure to share the locations and amenities of the then-current county parks. The park newsletter, "Thirteen Lines" was first published in 1988. Prepared by the Park Naturalist, "Thirteen Lines" is published quarterly and shares seasonal information, programs, and events. The most recent addition to our publications was in 2020. "The Lonely Satyr," also prepared by the Park Naturalist, shares information about area butterflies and upcoming butterfly events and programs.
The LCPR staff has been led by 4 different Directors since beginning in 1974.
Natural & interpretive programs have been led by 4 different Naturalists/Interpreters since 1974.
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1. Are dogs allowed?
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2. Is fishing permitted?
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3. Is hunting permitted?
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4. Can we pick mushrooms?
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5. Is alcohol permitted?
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6. Are bicycles allowed on Park Trails?
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7. Is maple syrup for sale all year?
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8. When is the Archery Course open at Pine Knob Park?
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9. When is the Maple Syrup Days festival?
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10. Is there a lifeguard on duty at the Public Beaches?
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11. Are there any fees to use the parks?
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Newsletters |
Barn Quilts in the Parks |
Wild about Wildflowers? |
Many acres of park property have been restored with native plants & flowers.
Woodland wildflowers put on a show at Maple Wood Nature Center in the spring. Summer shares blooming prairies at Dallas Lake Park, Delt Church Park, and Pine Knob Park/Mike Metz Fen.
Please don't pick or remove any flowers/plants! Take your camera and share lots of photos!!
Birdwatching |
Many birdwatchers flock to our county parks as this activity has grown. Our native restoration efforts and natural surroundings attract a beautiful variety of birds. Grab your binoculars and your camera!
Tree Identification |
Our parks are a great place to learn to identify a variety of trees.
Mushrooms |
Park Guides |
Please note the changes below for 2024:
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Park Use Resolution 2024-3-21-B
2024 Observed Holiday Schedule
The Park Offices are closed for observed holidays. The parks are still open for public enjoyment during park hours.
Annual Reports
This 5-year master plan was approved by the Indiana DNR on September 13, 2023, and adopted by the Park Board on October 19, 2023. A printed version is available at the park office to view.
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We are grateful to find LaGrange County Park's progress and accomplishments in local newspapers.
Lagrange Standard Publications (may need subscription):
KPC publications:
Other area publications:
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505 W 700 S Wolcottville, Indiana 46795
2024 Dallas Lake Park Fees
Effective January 1, 2024, there will no longer be an admission fee to enter Dallas Lake Park.
New 2024 Dallas Lake Park Beach Fees are as follows:
The Beach Fee is collected to fund yearly beach maintenance. This includes replacement parts on the swim pier and new sand for the beach. Additional donations are gratefully accepted!
Amenities
Rental Facilities
Trails
Location of Parks Department Office |
Additional Photos
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FREE sign up with an email or phone number to receive notification if a document is recorded in our office with your name.
Property Fraud is when someone illegally uses your property for financial gain.
It happens when someone records a fraudulent document in the county land records office, making it look like they own your home or property.
According to the FBI, property and mortgage fraud is the fastest growing white-collar crime.
Your county land records office has teamed up to create a notification service called Property Fraud Alert.
Subscribe free of charge at https://www.propertyfraudalert.com/Phoenix/PFASignUp.WebSite/INLAGRANGE or call the Property Fraud Alert hotline at 800-728-3858.
For further details, contact the county's Land Records Office.
Amenities
Rental Facility
Enjoy a scavenger hunt while visiting:
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LaGrange County and Fidlar Technologies have partnered to offer information on land records via the Internet.
This system is great for occasional users, who want to pay-as-you-go. Log onto www.landrecords.net to begin your search.
Features include:
This system is intended for everyday users and access is provided via a monthly subscription. For specific details on LaGrange County records, contact Fidlar Technologies at 800-747-4600.
Features include:
6455 S 200 W, Wolcottville, IN
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Documents can be recorded online! All you need is a PC, high-speed internet access, and a scanner.
Visit simplifile.com or call 800-460-5657 to get started.
E-recording records documents in minutes, avoids the costs of mailing, traffic, and wasted time, and eliminates check-writing expenses.
New Mountain Bicycle Trail
Ongoing Improvements
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Guides
ACRES LAND TRUST
Trails run through Acres Land Trust property. Find out more about Acres Land Trust HERE. While on trails within the Acres Land Trust property, please respect their rules.
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The LaGrange County Highway Department issues permits for driveways accessing County roads, work on County property or within County right-of-way, and oversize/overweight loads.
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105 N Detroit St., LaGrange, IN 46761
260-499-6300
114 W Michigan St., LaGrange, IN 46761
260-499-6300
105 N High St., LaGrange, IN 46761
260-499-6300