Indiana State Parks Celebrating Centennial With '100 Days For 100 Years'

INDIANAPOLIS -- One-hundred consecutive days of programs to celebrate the Indiana State Parks centennial in 2016 will start May 28.

“100 Days for 100 Years” will run through Sept. 4, with a history-related program or celebratory event in at least one state park property on each day. Some days will feature programs at more than one of the 32 parks and lakes in the state parks system.

Lieber State Recreation Area on Cagles Mill Lake will kick off “100 Days” with its centennial celebration this Saturday and Sunday. Activities start at 1 p.m. each day and include beach games and hugs from Smokey Bear.

Turkey Run State Park is hosting history hikes, demonstrations and crafts on each of the 100 days.

Turkey Run and McCormick’s Creek were Indiana’s first two state parks, established in 1916 as a gift to Hoosiers on the 100th anniversary of Indiana statehood.

Also during the 100 days, DNR staff will post on social media several times per week about the history of the state parks system.

The celebrations will carry over into the Indiana State Fair. On the afternoon of Aug. 14, Indiana State Parks will host a Centennial Birthday Party at the Natural Resources Building with Smokey Bear, cupcakes, history games and more.

Indiana State Parks also is offering a variety of activities for visitors to do on their own or with friends and family, according to Ginger Murphy, deputy director for stewardship at the DNR Division of State Parks, and coordinator of Indiana State Parks Centennial Celebration.

“From our Centennial Fitness Challenge to workshops for teachers featuring our new Centennial Curriculum to our SPR Go! Bingo Game, there are lots of ways to make state parks an outdoor priority this year,” Murphy said.

A list of centennial activities is at INStateParks100.com.

People can find events in the DNR Upcoming Events calendar at dnr.IN.gov  by property or by searching the keyword “centennial.”

Many events are also listed by property on the website, or watch Facebook pages for Indiana State Parks.