About Us
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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.
- John Egli, President
- Eric Maginn, Vice President
- Julia Wolheter, Member
- Paul Baker, Member
- Michael Holcomb, Ex-Officio Member / Soil & Water
Park Staff
- Mary Franke, Park Director
- George DeWald, Park Superintendent
- Daniel Schelinski, Events Planner & Nature Interpreter
- Emily Wolfe, Administrative Assistant/Communication Specialist
- Chris Sluyter, Maintenance Technician
- Eric Jordan, Maintenance Technician
- Jacob Weimer, Maintenance Technician
- Randy Merrifield, Park Ranger (PT)
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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.
Park Hours
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Contact Information
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Contact Us
Director of Parks
Wolcottville, IN 46795
- Business: (260) 854-2225
- Staff Directory
- Hours: 8 a.m. to 12 p.m. and
12:30 p.m. to 3:30 p.m.
Monday through Friday
