Fort Harrison State Park
Total Page:16
File Type:pdf, Size:1020Kb
LOCATION MAP FORT HARRISON STATE PARK Chinquapin 71st Street Nature Preserve Fall Creek Road Fort Harrison 6000 N. Post Road • Indianapolis, IN 46216 465 State Park North (317) 591-0904 • 1,744 Acres • Established 1996 Lee Road Indianapolis Gatehouse 59th Street Boy Scout Boy Road 56th Street Franklin Road Post Road NATURE PRESERVES Chinquapin: 115 acres st 71 St. This preserve is closed to the public As a protected Rookery, this area Museum of 20th Schoen hosts a colony of Great Blue Herons Creek oad Century Warfare k R in the spring and summer. Trailhead ree ll C Dog Park Fa Fall Creek Warbler Woods: 135 acres Entrance Boardwalk and Observation Deck This deep shady and hardwood forest contains many of Indiana’s k e Saddle Barns e native trees including Cherry, r and Office C Walnut, Oak, Maple, and Beech. l l a Dog Park F Warbler Woods Bluffs of Fall Creek: 135 acres Nature Preserve 702 This preserve is closed to the public. Bordering the north bank of 701 Fall Creek, a major drainage of rail T Lee Road reek l C Marion County, this preserve Camp Glenn al Visitors Center F comprises a lush Riparian forest Recreation Bluffs of Fall Creek Nature Preserve and Park Office Buildings and many historic areas from the Duck park’s diverse past. Delaware Lake re Lawrence Creek: 242 acres a w la amp Creek Trail e C As an upland hardwood forest, this Cherry D Shafter Harrison Trace area contains Oak, Hickory, Maple, Tree and the best topography in the park. n Trace Walnut Harriso Trailhead e a A r Sledding Hill e r s LEGEND u y) C o nl Boundary Parking f rs O o l olfe Fall Cre G (G Road Restroom ek Road Hiking Trail Playground Harrison Trace Picnic Area Lawrence Creek Trailhead Horse Trail Dog Park The Fort Golf Course Multi-use Trail Picnic Shelter Lawrence Creek Gate Garrison Restaurant & Nature Preserve House Conference Facilities Nature Preserve Saddle Barn k e e Millennium Pro Shop nce r re C C Grove Picnic TRAIL TABLE Lee Road w re e La ek c Harrison House T n T Area rail e r TRAIL MILEAGE TRAIL TYPE r e Lodging th w 59 St. 465 a e L L Camp Creek 2 Moderate i n Golf Course and e T Garrison Entrance Fall Creek 1 Moderate r a i l Park Entrance Harrison Trace 3.2 Easy Schoen Creek Fort Harrison Lawrence Creek 4 More Difficult Trailhead State Park Inn SHELTERS Schoen Creek 3 More Difficult A Sycamore Tree Line Trail 1 Easy B Reddick (fireplace) C Cherry Tree D Delaware Lake 750 0 750 1500 E Fort Branch Approximate Scale in Feet F Walnut Post Road Post 56th Street Please carry out all trash you produce in Road order to keep your park clean and Franklin Franklin beautiful for others to enjoy. 10/2019 Native Americans found their way into this region at RULES AND REGULATIONS DESCRIPTION OF HIKING TRAILS least 8,000 years ago and developed lifestyles that we • Do not injure or damage any structure, rock, tree, celebrate today. Euro-American settlers moved from TRAIL & DESCRIPTION DISTANCE DIFFICULTY flower, bird or wild animal. Do NOT gather limbs, brush Fall Creek Trail 1 mile Moderate Kentucky and Ohio, establishing the first homesteads in or trees (either dead or alive) for firewood because they the 1820s. They cleared the woodlands to make way for rebuild the natural humus. 1.1 miles from start to Duck Pond. Start this trail at the an agricultural economy. northeast corner of the Delaware Lake picnic area. The creation of the military post came about due to the • Any firearm (except lawfully possessed handguns), The trail follows the lowlands along Fall Creek, then changing face of the state and nation. During the Civil BB gun, air gun, CO2 gun, bow and arrow, paint gun heads uphill as it nears Duck Pond. Overall distance War, the Indianapolis Arsenal supplied munitions to or spear gun in possession in a state park must be can be shortened or varied by taking one of the three federal troops. Located near the State House from 1861 unloaded or un-nocked and stored in a case or locked cutoff trails that connect to the Harrison Trace. Excellent to 1865, the War Department later moved the arsenal within a vehicle, except when owner is participating in for birding, fishing access, and wildflower and tree east of downtown to Woodruff Place. By 1901, as the city an activity authorized by written permit. identification. grew, the War Department planned to close the arsenal. • Dogs and cats must be attended at all times and kept on a leash no longer than 6 feet. Many community members felt strongly that some Camp Creek Trail 2 miles Moderate military presence should remain in the city to honor • Vending or advertising without permission of the Trail begins off Harrison Trace near the eastern banks the tradition the arsenal played in ending slavery and Department of Natural Resources is prohibited. of Delaware Lake with the apex of the bend passing maintaining the Union. Lt. Col. Russell Harrison, son • Overnight camping is not allowed in the park. Duck Pond. This trail passes by an old army rubble pile of deceased President Benjamin Harrison, suggested • Fires shall be built only in designated places. and contains many beautiful vistas from the bluffs of the naming any remaining military facility in honor of his quaint Camp Creek valley. father. • This is a day-use park. Help keep it clean. Please On June 28, 1904, the War Department issued General comply with the Carry In/Carry Out trash policy—take Order No. 117, officially announcing the purchase of land all your trash with you when you leave the park. Harrison Trace 3.2 miles Easy for “military purposes…about nine miles northeasterly • Motorists shall observe posted speed limits and park This is an asphalt surface trail for walkers, bicyclists and from Indianapolis.” In 1906, President Theodore in designated areas; roadside parking is not allowed. joggers. The trail begins at the Delaware Lake picnic Roosevelt dedicated Fort Benjamin Harrison in honor of Motorized vehicles are not permitted on hiking trails, area. After passing Delaware Lake, the trail follows the 23rd president and Indianapolis resident. the Harrison Trace, or through the bicycle/pedestrian the rolling upland above Fall Creek. Although the trail On a national scale, the fort represented the first effort to entrance on Boy Scout Road. Snowmobiles are is graded and paved, it is not flat. Much of the trail is create a national army out of a collection of state militias. prohibited. tree-covered and wildflowers grow next to the walking The post served multiple roles as a troop reception • Drinking water should be taken only from pumps, surface all season long. This is the easiest route to center, classroom and soldier support facility during hydrants or fountains provided for that purpose. This Duck Pond. all major military conflicts from WWI to Desert Storm. water is tested regularly for purity. Today, Fort Harrison State Park continues to preserve • Report lost or found articles to the park office. Lawrence Creek Trail 4 miles Difficult the greenspace that the Army kept out of development • Feeding wildlife is prohibited. Start this loop trail at either the Lawrence Creek from 1903-1996. Today, you can experience forests and Trailhead or the Walnut Trailhead parking area on the meadows, wildlife and revealing glimpses into our past. • Use of metal detectors is prohibited. • Mountain biking is allowed in the park only on west side of the park. The trail winds through upland designated trails. woods and ravines. This is an excellent choice for THIS IS YOUR PARK observing fall color. Northern sections of the trail tend to For a complete list of rules and regulations, inquire at park office. remain wet all summer, providing a wonderful wildflower Visitors shall follow our rules, which are designed to show. This is a single-track, multi-use, hike and bike trail. fulfill the purpose for which state parks were established, Bikers yield to hikers. namely, to preserve a primitive landscape in its natural condition for the public’s use and enjoyment. PARK HOURS: Regular Season: April-October—7 a.m.-dusk* Tree Line Trail 1 miles Easy Off Season: Nov.-March—8 a.m.-dusk* This mowed trail follows the outer edge of Millenium To help the state park with its ongoing mission, a Grove picnic area in Camp Glenn. Look for different *For dusk closing hours, check the posting at the front gate or call species of trees and wildflowers along the route. Friends of Fort Harrison State Park group has been (317) 591-0904. Gates close promptly. created. For membership information please contact the park at 317-591-0904. Schoen Creek Trail 3 miles Difficult Begin at the Schoen Creek Trailhead east of the saddle Please let wild animals remain wild. barn. Follow the trail through wetlands, prairie grasses, Feeding deer is prohibited. Feeding of wild animals can woods and ravines. This is a single-track, multi-use, result in harm to both animals and people. Animals who hike and bike trail. depend on handouts become a nuisance to visitors and a For a list of park events, visit danger to themselves. Please lock up all food and coolers PLEASE STAY ON MARKED TRAILS. interpretiveservices.IN.gov inside cars or campers. Roll up car windows tightly. ACTIVITIES AND FACILITIES CENTRAL RESERVATION SYSTEM BIKING—Allowed only on paved park roads, Reservations for all types of camping, family designated multi-use trails and the Harrison Trace cabins, and shelters at state parks, reservoirs and Trail.