Indiana State Forests Open Houses
Indiana State Forests are holding an series of open houses for each State Forest Property. These meetings are this week, from 3:30PM t0 6:00PM. Meeting during business hours makes it difficult for many mountain biker to attend. If you can attend, going in person is the best option. But you can also comment on line. The link below takes you to State Forest’s online public comment page. Please indicate that your comments are related to the this week’s open houses and which property you are commenting on. You may comment on more than one property.
https://www.in.gov/dnr/forestry/8122.htm Some Specific suggestions
Harrison Crawford State Forest: This is the State Forest that surrounds O’Bannon Woods State Park. Much of the Firepower trail and Adventure Trail are on State Forest Property. HMBA would like to start making improvements to the Adventure trail that would preserve it’s back county adventure vibe, while eliminating sections that are problematic and highlighting some key areas the trail misses. The highest priority is realigning the trail by the Iron Bridge. We have a fantastic alignment that pulls the trail out of the Blue River’s flood plain into and area with some spectacular features and view.
Morgan Monroe/Yellowwood State Forest: If you like the new Crooked Creek trail, please let State Forests know! If you want more, please express the need for more single track as well and double track trails in Yellowwood State Forest. Also, we would like to see access to double tracks / access roads in Morgan Monroe.
Clark State Forest: We would like to see a long range plan for a bike trail system in Clark State Forest.
Owen-Putnam State Forest: Dec. 11, 3:30 to 6:30 p.m. at the property office, which is five miles west of Spencer and less than one mile north of S.R. 46. There will be a forester-led, short winter hike at 4 p.m. Call 812-829-2462 for more information.
Clark State Forest/Deam Lake SRA: Dec.11, 3:30 to 6:30 p.m. at the Clark State Forest office, which is one mile north of Henryville on U.S. 31. Topics that will be highlighted include campground and gun range improvements. There will be a one-mile, forester-led winter walk at 4 p.m. Call 812-294-4306 for more information.
Harrison-Crawford State Forest: Dec. 11, 3:30 to 6:30 p.m. at the recently renovated property office. The office is located off S.R. 462, just past the gatehouse for O’Bannon Woods State Park. Call 812-738-7694 for more information.
Ferdinand/Pike State Forest: Dec. 12, 3:30 to 6:30 p.m. at the Ferdinand office which is off S.R. 264, approximately four miles northeast of Ferdinand. There will be a 4 p.m. walking tour of the forest’s lakeside recreational sites. Call 812-827-2857 for more information.
Martin State Forest: Dec. 12, 3:30 to 6:30 p.m. at the Martin State Forest main office off U.S. 50, approximately four miles northeast of Shoals. Visitors can view the newly renovated Martin Lake shelter house or join the forester at 4 p.m. for a short winter hike. Call 812-247-3491 for more information.
Morgan-Monroe/Yellowwood State Forest: Dec. 12, 3:30 to 6:30 p.m. at the Training Center at Morgan-Monroe State Forest off S.R. 37, approximately six miles south of Martinsville. There will be a tour of the renovated visitor center at 4 p.m. Call 765-342-4026 for more information.
Jackson-Washington State Forest/Starve Hollow SRA: Dec. 13, 3:30 to 6:30 p.m. at the Starve Hollow Forest Education Center off S.R. 135, approximately two miles southeast of Vallonia. There will be a tour of the Starve Hollow lake restoration project at 4 p.m. Call 812-358-3464 for more information.
Salamonie River/Frances Slocum State Forest: Dec. 13, 3:30 to 6:30 p.m. at the property’s main office located on S.R. 524, approximately six miles east of Wabash. Call 260-782-0430 for more information.
Greene-Sullivan State Forest: Dec. 13, 3:30 to 6:30 p.m. at the property office on S.R. 159, approximately 1.5 miles south of Dugger. There will be a 4 p.m. tour of the campground and lake restoration project. Call 812-648-2810 for more information.
