Events at Parks Department
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.org. 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 security deposit of $125 in cash or check only. You will receive the full deposit back when the key is turned in and the facility is left in "as found" condition.
Thank you for enjoying our parks!
Park Hours Summer: May 1 to Labor Day; 8 a.m.- 9 p.m. Winter: Labor Day to May 1: 8 a.m. to Legal Sunset
Email parks@lagrangecounty.org or call 260-854-2225 to make a reservation.
Park Hours
|
Contact Information
|
2024 Every Park Every Trail Fitness Walking Club |
2024 Patchwork Trail Nature Walks |
Park Hours
|
Contact Information
|
Find other events HERE.
Facility Rental information HERE.
There are so many ways to help!
Volunteer |
We especially need help before AND after Maple Syrup Days. Collecting/cutting firewood, collecting sap, and cleaning buckets and equipment after the syrup season is complete. The longer it takes for syrup season cleanup, the longer it takes for archery targets to be placed at Pine Knob Park!
We can always use help for special events, clearing trails after a storm, collecting sap in the spring, etc. Please consider sharing your time and talents to help the Parks Dept.
Become a member of Friends of LaGrange County Parks. Friends Application.
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.
Here is a list of 2024 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.
Park Hours
|
Contact Information
|
Save the Date!!
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!
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:
|
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 since 1974.
Park Hours
|
Contact Information
|
1. Are dogs allowed?
|
2. Is fishing permitted?
|
3. Is hunting permitted?
|
4. Can we pick mushrooms?
|
5. Is alcohol permitted?
|
6. Are bicycles allowed on Park Trails?
|
7. Is maple syrup for sale all year?
|
8. When is the Archery Course open at Pine Knob Park?
|
9. When is the Maple Syrup Days festival?
|
10. Is there a lifeguard on duty at the Public Beaches?
|
11. Are there any fees to use the parks?
|
Park Hours
|
Contact Information
|
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:
Park Hours
|
Contact Information
|
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.
Park Hours
|
Contact Information
|
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:
Park Hours
|
Contact Information
|
0505 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
Park Hours
|
Contact Information
|
Amenities
Rental Facility
Enjoy a scavenger hunt while visiting:
Park Hours
|
Contact Information
|
6455 S 200 W, Wolcottville, IN
Amenities
Rental Facilities
Park Hours
|
Contact Information
|
New Mountain Bicycle Trail
Ongoing Improvements
Amenities
Park Hours
|
Contact Information
|
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.
Park Hours
|
Contact Information
|
Amenities
Rental Facilities
Park Hours
|
Contact Information
|
NO LIFEGUARDS ON DUTY
Beach Hours
Beach Rules
Cedar Lake Beach
Dallas Lake Beach
0505 W 700 S Wolcottville, IN within Dallas Lake Park
Dallas Lake Park 2024 Beach Fees:
This fee is collected by the honor system. The fee is payable with cash at the beach entry post or in the office. You may also pay by credit card in the office or by scanning the QR code on the post.
The Beach Fee is collected to fund yearly beach maintenance. This includes replacement parts on the swim docks and new sand for the beach. Additional donations are gratefully accepted!
Additional Dallas Lake Beach Rules --
Explore other LaGrange County Parks HERE.
Park Hours
|
Contact Information
|
2024 Summer Day Camp |
Update 4.26.24 - By Gone Days, Adventure Bound, and Nature Bound camps are full.
By Gone Days, Adventure Bound, and Nature Bound Camps will be free this year, thanks to special funding provided by JDAI LaGrange County.
2024 Youth Event |
UPDATE 6.20.24 -- Due to expected high temperatures on Saturday - this event has been canceled.
UPDATE 7.12.24 -- Event has been rescheduled!
2024 LCYC Conservation Camp |
Update 5.10.24 - Conservation Camp is full.
Conservation Camp is organized and hosted by LCYC (LaGrange Communities Youth Centers) with assistance from the Indiana DNR and LaGrange County Parks Dept. Contact the parks office to register, receive forms, and return forms. Payment will be due on the first day of camp. Parks office 260-854-2225 or parks@lagrangecounty.org.
2024 Wilderness Bound Camp |
UPDATE 7.10.24 - Wildnerness Bound Camp has been canceled due to not meeting minimum number of participants for this program. The program will be re-evaluated for next summer. Please check back!
2024 Summer Swim Lessons |
Swim Classes are now full.
Photo Scavenger Hunts |
We have 6 photo scavenger hunts throughout our 5 larger parks. Do them all!
Stay tuned to our events calendar for special scavenger hunt activities.
Park Hours
|
Contact Information
|
Find other events HERE.
Facility Rental information HERE.
3180 N. 915 W. Shipshewana, IN
Park Hours
|
Contact Information
|
Park Hours
|
Contact Information
|
Walking Trails
You will find nearly 10 miles of trails within the LaGrange County Parks. Each park offers different views, wildlife, and unique habitats for you to explore. Take lots of photos to remember your journey.
Sporting Courses
Pine Knob Park offers a unique opportunity to practice your archery skills and Delt Church Park shares a newly remodeled disc golf course. Enjoy all that these parks have to offer!
Park Hours
|
Contact Information
|
FeNGke is the phonetic spelling of funky! Dress up in a FUNKY, family-friendly, fun costume for a chance to win a fun prize for the best overall costume!
WHERE |
SCHEDULE |
A FEW THINGS |
TICKETS |
Online Registration HERE
Paper registration forms are available at Park Office 260-854-2225.
$30 Ticket - Full Goody Bag
|
$15 Ticket - Run/Walk Ticket
|
PRIZES |
Fun award will be given to the first male and female finisher in four age divisions:
One fun award will be given to the OVERALL best, funkiest costume!! Let's see what you got!
FULL GOODY BAG - T-SHIRT DESIGN |
Graphic on front - Event sponsors printed on the back. * final t-shirt graphic may differ slightly for printing purposes. |
BE AN EVENT SPONSOR!! |
To become an event sponsor, contact the Park Office at 260-854-2225.
2024 Event Sponsors to date include:
Course Map |
Indemnification Waiver |
LaGrange County Department of Parks & Recreation is not responsible for personal injury, loss of items/children, or death. You are participating at your own risk, knowing that boardwalks may be slippery from dew or rain and limestone trails may have loose stones, standing water (rain), and be uneven in spots. By purchasing a ticket and participating in the FeNGke 5K Fun Run/Walk at Pine Knob Park, Howe, IN, you (and your family) are hereby agreeing to NOT hold LaGrange County Department of Parks & Recreation, LaGrange County Government, and any employees, volunteers, representatives of aforementioned, responsible for any injury, loss, or death. I know, but we have to put it in here now. Have fun!!
FOLLOW US FOR UP-TO-DATE INFORMATION! |
2024 Arts in the Park - September 28 |
Vendors sign up HERE!
It’s that time again! LaGrange County Arts and the Parks Department are teaming up for the 2nd annual Arts in the Park. Tell your friends, register to show and sell your art or craft. And if you make the best chili around, register as a culinary artist! It’s going to be a great day!! And there will be photographers there to inspire and teach you how to up your game whether using a fancy fit or simply your phone’s camera. Bring the kids and have a great time!!
Mindfulness Trail Ribbon Cutting - October 5 |
Not so Spooky Trail - October 18 |
A wonderful program for the young ones in the family. Nothing spooky or scary. Fun wagon rides, craft stations, games, and snacks. The evening is free to enjoy. We welcome donations. A partner program with Friends of LaGrange County Parks.
2024 Patchwork Trail Nature Walks |
Thank you for enjoying the 2024 season of Patchwork Trails Nature Walks. Stay tuned next spring for the 2025 schedule. |
2024 Every Park Every Trail Fitness Walking Club |
Save the Date!!!
Park Hours
|
Contact Information
|
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