Potato Creek in the Late MOUNTAIN BIKE TRAIL - BEGINNERS - 6.6 Miles

DESCRIPTION OF TRAILS THIS IS YOUR PARK 1. MODERATE - 2.2 miles. Skirts Worster Lake, pass- All visitors are expected to observe the following rules ing through old fields and Maple and Oak-Hickory which are designed to fulfill the purpose for which forest. Returns to Nature Center area. state parks were established, namely, to preserve a primitive landscape in its natural condition for the use Potato 2. RUGGED - 2.0 miles. Accessed either from Trail and enjoyment of the people. 1 or Trail 4. Winds through woods, up and down hills, to highest point in park. RULES AND REGULATIONS Creek 3. MODERATE - 1 mile. Travels along ridge overlook- • Do not injure or damage any structure, rock, tree, ing Worster Lake, passing through Beech-Maple flower, bird or wild animal within the Park. Do NOT STATE PARK

forest and down to lake observation deck. Wonder- gather limbs, brush or trees (either dead or alive) for INDIANA ful spring wildflower trail. firewood! It MUST be allowed to remain to rebuild the natural humus. 4. MODERATE - 2.5 miles. Scenic path along stream through Beech-Maple woods, past the lake and • Any firearm (except validly licensed handguns)BB old farm sites. gun, air gun, CO2 gun, bow and arrow, or spear gun in possession in a state park must be unloaded 5. EASY - 1 mile. Rolling trail cuts through old fields. or un-nocked and stored in a case or locked within Has small wetland observation deck. a vehicle except when participating in an activity 6. EASY - .5 mile. Short loop passes wetland and authorized by written permit. woods. • Dogs and cats must be kept on a leash no longer PEPPERMINT LOOP TRAIL - EASY .9 mile. Starts than six feet and attended at all times. at Nature Center following trail 1 on old Peppermint • There shall be no vending or advertising without per- Road along the lake. Cuts through a young woods mission of the Department of Natural Resources. and rejoins the end of trail 1. • Camping is permitted only in the campground. No BICYCLE TRAIL - MODERATE - 3.3 miles Trail starts youth groups in the family campground. at boat rental and ends near Tulip Poplar shelter. It • Fires shall be built only in places provided. winds up and down wooded hills, above the creek bed, and then onto flat land passing wetlands and • Please comply with the Carry In/Carry Out trash pol- Darcy Worster and fellow conservation through forests. icy in all day use areas. Overnight guests must put club members first proposed a man-made waste in receptacles provided for that purpose. reservoir on Potato Creek in the late MOUNTAIN BIKE TRAIL - BEGINNERS - 6.6 miles. 1930’s. Their project was halted by WW • Motorists will observe speed limits as posted, and Developed through a partnership between the II. Darcy Worster kept that dream alive park in designated areas. Northern Indiana Mountain Bike Association and by sending his hand-crafted insects to Potato Creek State Park. Please obey posted signs • Swimming is limited to such places and times as state officials to “bug” them about creating and ride safe. For increased safety, bikers should designated by the Department of Natural Resources. a park. His efforts succeeded when the ride in the direction indicated and hikers should • Drinking water should be taken only from pumps, area was designated to become a park in walk in the opposite direction. Bikers should 1969. always yield to hikers. Helmets required. hydrants or fountains provided for that purpose. This water is tested regularly for purity. Potato Creek became a reality on June PLEASE STAY ON MARKED TRAILS! 6, 1977 when the six square mile (3,840 • Report lost or found articles to the park office. acres) area was formally dedicated . The Park’s 327 acre Worster Lake is named in Please carry out all trash you produce in order • All motorized vehicles must remain on paved road- to keep your park clean and beautiful for others way. Snowmobiles are prohibited. Darcy’s honor. to enjoy! Native Americans collected plants with • Metal detectors allowed on main beach between potato-like roots growing along the Creek. Labor Day and Memorial Day with written permis- Please let wild animals remain wild. Feeding wildlife The early settlers’ English translation was sion from the property manager. is prohibited. Feeding of all wild animals can result “wild potato”, hence the name “Potato” in harm to both animals and people. Animals who • Park is closed from 11:00 PM until 7:00 AM. No one Creek. The Park is located 3 miles east depend on handouts become a nuisance to park visi- is allowed in the park except for campers and cabin of North Liberty on State Road 4. tors and a danger to themselves. Please lock up all guest using their sites between these hours. food and coolers inside cars or campers. For a complete list of rules and regulations inquire at park office.

ACTIVITIES AND FACILITIES PICNIC AREAS — Tables, grills, toilet facilities, play- In addition to the many recreational facilities that ground equipment, playfields, and picnic shelters Potato Creek has to offer, visitors will find a variety of BICYCLING — There is both a 3.3 mile paved trail with equipped with electricity. Reservations for all shelters natural areas. Most of these were drastically altered some hilly and curvy stretches and a 6.6 mile begin- are available through the Central Reservation System. by decades of farming and other land uses prior to the ner level mountain bike trail. Standard bicycle rentals area becoming a park. — Free beach. The beach has a handi- are available, or you may bring your own. Helmets SWIMMING In the early 1990’s an active resource management required on mountain bike trail. capped accessible area. Bathhouse and beach open program was begun at Potato Creek. These efforts will Saturday before Memorial Day and no later than Labor BOATS, CANOES, PADDLEBOATS, KYAKS & restore and maintain some of the park’s natural areas Day. Lockers available for a 25 cent fee. Conditions to conditions found here before the area was settled TROLLING MOTORS — For rental by day or hour. may require beach closing prior to Labor Day. The Boat Rental is handicapped accessible. Pri- in the early 1800’s. vate boats or sailboats may be launched at the boat TELEPHONE — Public booth in the family campground, The natural wetlands had been drained to farm the launches only. Only electric trolling motors, powered general store and office. Emergencies call 911. land over the last 100 years. Several of these are by no more than two 12-volt batteries, or hand propul- being restored to provide valuable habitat for a variety sion, are allowed. Also, a mooring area is available of plants and wildlife. The wetland types include for a nominal fee. CENTRAL RESERVATION SYSTEMS saturated soil sedge meadows; shallow marshes; Reservations for all types of camping, family cabins, swamps and beaver ponds. Today more than a square CAMPING — Campground equipped with flush toilets, mile of the park is covered by wetlands and Worster hot water, showers and electricity. Occupancy is limited and shelters at state parks, reservoirs and forests can be made by going online or use the toll free number. Lake. These areas abound in wildlife, especially during to 14 consecutive nights. Sites accomodate 6 people. the spring and fall bird migrations. No water or sewage hook-ups. Tent and trailer sites. www.camp.IN.gov Native prairie is also being returned to the Potato Dumping station and water filling station. A separate Creek landscape through plantings. The prairie areas 1-866-6campIN CAMP. horsemen’s campground is available. Reservations are (1-866-622-6746) CENTRAL RESERVATION SYSTEM will be maintained by periodic burning under very available through the Central Reservation System. controlled situations. These meadows put on a colorful CAMP STORE — Open May through October. Reservations for the Indiana State Park Inns and late summer flower and grass display. Inn-operated cabins can be made by going online Other areas of the park are being allowed to grow into CROSS COUNTRY SKIING — Cross-country ski or use the toll free number. hardwood forests. Among the highlights of the forests equipment is not provided. There are over 8 miles www.indianainns.com are the spring wildflower displays and a variety of wildlife of groomed trails when the snow is on. There is also 1-877-lodges1 including songbirds, raccoon, fox, coyote and turkey. tubing, sledding and ice fishing. (1-877-563-4371) Swamp Rose Nature Preserve, located in the northeast section, offers a look at the eutrophic FAMILY CABINS – Open year-round. No pets al- FOR MORE INFORMATION lowed! Cabins will accommodate eight people. process. This means that a lake has slowly, over There are two bedrooms, a bath, kitchen, dining area STATE PARKS Write: Potato Creek State Park hundreds of years, become a wetland. A scenic small RESERVOIRS and screened porch. Cabins are rented Saturday to 25601 St. Rd. 4 stream originates in this wetland and flows into Worster Saturday, mid-June through mid-August, although P.O. Box 908 Lake. The Nature Preserve also has several unusual 90 days prior, can take two consecutive night rentals North Liberty, Indiana 46554 plants and is a favored location for beaver. if available. Friday and Saturday or Saturday and Call: (574) 656-8186 This blend of wetlands, prairies and forests is what was recorded here before the first European settlers Sunday nights must be rented together the rest of DNR the year. We provide pots, pans . Occupancy limited arrived here in the 1830’s. Because of the rich variety Indiana Department of Natural Resources to 14 consecutive nights. Reservations are available of natural habitats, Potato Creek was named as an www.dnr.IN.gov through the Central Reservation System. Important Bird Area (IBA) in 2006. This international SPECIAL NOTE designation is bestowed on areas that are critical to FISHING — Bass, bluegill, etc. State license required birds during some part of their life cycle. Potato Creek’s and 14” minimum bass limit is in effect. Receipts from admission and service charges are used to help varied natural communities also provide homes for a HORSE TRAILS — For owners of horses (no rentals defray the operation and maintenance costs of the park. List of wide array of other wildlife and plants for today’s park available): trails begin at horsemen’s campground. fees available in the park office. visitor and for future generations to enjoy. Horses are only permitted on bridle trails. The programs, services, facilities, and activities of the Indiana — Explore Department of Natural Resources are available to everyone. DNR Become A Park Volunteer. INTERPRETIVE NATURALIST SERVICE prohibits discrimination on the basis of race, color, national origin, the world of natural resources while enjoying interpre- age, sex, or disability. If you believe that you have been discriminat- If you would like to help support and enhance Potato tive and recreational programs. Full time naturalist ed against in any program, activity, or facility as described above, Creek’s facilities and programs join the Friends of on duty at the nature center. Program schedules are or if you desire further information please write to: Department of Potato Creek. For Friends Group information visit available on the website at www.interpretiveservices. Natural Resources, Executive Office, 402 W. Washington St., Rm. website at: www.interpretiveservices.IN.gov/sup-

IN.gov or call (574) 656-8186. W256, Indianapolis, IN 46204, (317) 232-4020. 10/24/07 port/friends_group/ ��

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